AWARHAMMERNOVEL

DRAGONSLAYER

Gotrek&Felix-04

WilliamKing

(AnUndeadScanv1.1)

Thisisadarkage,abloodyage,anageofdaemonsandofsorcery.Itisanageofbattleanddeath,andoftheworld’sending.Amidstallofthefire,flameandfuryitisatime,too,ofmightyheroes,ofbolddeedsandgreatcourage.At the heart of theOldWorld sprawls the Empire, the largest andmost powerful of the humanrealms.Known for its engineers, sorcerers, traders and soldiers, it is a land of greatmountains,mightyrivers,darkforestsandvastcities.AndfromhisthroneinAltdorfreignstheEmperorKarl-Franz, sacred descendant of the founder of these lands, Sigmar, and wielder of his magicalwarhammer.But theseare far fromcivilised times.Across the lengthandbreadthof theOldWorld, from theknightlypalacesofBretonniatoice-boundKislevinthefarnorth,comerumblingsofwar.InthetoweringWorld’sEdgeMountains, the orc tribes are gathering for another assault. Bandits andrenegadesharrythewildsouthernlandsoftheBorderPrinces.Therearerumoursofrat-things,theskaven,emergingfromthesewersandswampsacrosstheland.Andfromthenorthernwildernessesthereistheever-presentthreatofChaos,ofdaemonsandbeastmencorruptedbythefoulpowersoftheDarkGods.Asthetimeofbattledrawsevernear,theEmpireneedsheroeslikeneverbefore.

“Aswe flewback fromthe lost citadelofKaragDum, Iwasexcitedby theprospectof seeingUlrikaagainandbythethoughtofrestingforawhileafterouradventures.LittledidIrealisethat our perilswere just beginning, and thatwewould soon encounter enemies both old andnew,aswellasoneofthemightiestmonstersithaseverbeenmymisfortunetomeet.”

—FromMyTravelsWithGotrek,VolIIIbyHerrFelixJaeger(AltdorfPress,2505)

PROLOGUE

NIGHTOFTHESKAVENSoon,thoughtGreySeerThanquol,mybravewarriorswillattack.

Thanquolrubbedhispawstogetherwithglee.Soonallhisplanningandbargainingwouldpayoff. Soon he would have his revenge on the dwarf, Gotrek Gurnisson, and his loathsome humanhenchman, Felix Jaeger. Soon theywould regret forever that they hadmeddled in the plans of somightyasorcerer.Soonhewouldsendthemscreamingandbeggingformercytotheirwell-deserveddeaths.Soon.

Allaroundhim,heheardhisforcesmovingintoposition.Rankuponrankofawesomeskavenwarriors,theverycreamofratmansoldiery,movedthroughthedark.Theirpinkeyesglitteredinthegloom; their long tails lashed with suppressed killing lust; their fangs glistened with saliva. Justbehind him, his monstrous bodyguard, a huge rat-ogre, the third to bear the name Boneripper,gruntedwithbloodlust.

Therat-ogrewasbiggerthananyhuman,morethantwiceastallandtentimesasheavy.Itsheadwas a terrifying combination of rat andwolf. Its red eyes burnedwith insane rage. Itsmonstroustalonswereextruded from its stubby fingers. Its long,worm-like tail lashed theair furiously.Thisnewrat-ogre,areplacementfortheoneslainbyFelixJaegerattheBattleoftheLonelyTower,hadcostThanquolasmallfortuneinwarptokens.ItwasnottheonlythingthathadcostThanquolduringhisrecentvisittoClanMoulder ’shugeburrowatHellPit.Hehadbeenforcedtopledgemorethanhalfhispersonalfortuneandashareinthespoilsofthecomingvictorytothewarpedrulersoftheclan in return for their support in this new venture. Still, thought Thanquol, it was an immaterialconsideration.Therewardsofhisinevitablevictorywouldmorethanrecompensehimforhisoutlay.Ofthathewasutterlycertain.

He considered the force that had been rushed to this out of theway place in response to hisbrilliant scheming. Not only were there Stormvermin and clanrat warriors in the livery of ClanMoulder, therewererat-ogresandpacksofhugeratsgoadedonbybeastmastersaswell.Hisarmynumberedalmostathousand.

With such a force Thanquol felt certain that victory was assured. Particularly since theiropponents were mere humans. How could they stand against the true inheritors of the world, theprogenyoftheHornedRathimself?Theanswerwassimple:theycouldnot.ItmadeThanquol’stailstiffenwithpridewhenhecontemplatedthescaleofthevictorythatwouldsoonbehis.

Thanquolsniffedtheairwithhislong,rat-likesnout.Hiswhiskerstwitchedexcitedly.Perhapsitwas the proximity of the Chaos Wastes he sensed and the presence of a great motherlode ofwarpstone,theveryessenceofmagicalpower.OncemorehewonderedatthestupidityoftheCouncilofThirteen’sedictprohibitingskavenarmiesfromenteringthosedaemon-hauntedlands.Surelythelossofafewskavenslaveswouldbemorethancompensatedforbythevasttroveofwarpstonetheycould garner? Granted, in the past theWastes had swallowed entire armies of ratmen whole, butsurelythatwasnojustificationfortheCouncil’stimidity?

Thanquol felt sure thatunderhis leadership,orat leastwithhisguidance fromafar—for, intruth, therewas no sense in risking the loss of a skaven of his towering intellect—a verminhostwouldsucceedinsuchamission.

Andtherewerealternatives.IfhepossessedtheairshipthatthoseaccurseddwarfshadbuiltforGurnissonandJaeger, andwhichhisdoltish lackey,LurkSnitchtongue,hadso farutterly failed to

capture,hecoulduseittoprospectforwarpstoneintheWastes.Helashedhistailinfrustrationforamoment when he considered the imbecilic incompetence of Lurk, then wrung his paws togethergloatinglyashethoughtabouttheaerialvessel.Therewerenoendstotheuseshecouldputthethingtoonceitwashis.

ItwouldswiftlytransportthegreyseerandhisbodyguardanywhereintheOldWorld.Itwoulddeliver troopsbehindenemylines. Itwouldbeusedasaprototype tobuildanaerial fleetandwithsuch an armada Thanquol, and— he loyally hastened to add— through him the Council, wouldconquertheworld.

Ofcourse,firsthehadtogethispawsontheairship,whichbroughthisattentionfirmlybacktomatters at hand. Through the spyglass he could make out the fortified mansion inhabited by thedwarfs’Kisleviteallies.Itwastypicalofthefortifiedmanorhousesbuiltbythehumanclansinthisarea. It was surrounded by a high palisade and a ditch, and within the house itself was a ruggedstructureofstoneand logs.Thewindowswerenarrow,merearrowslits inmanycases.Thedoorsand gates were massive and strong. It was built to resist an attack by the monstrous creatures socommonhere,closetotheChaosWastes.Insidetherewerestables,forthehumansheredearlylovedtheirhorses.Thanquolhadneverunderstoodthis.Hethoughtthebeastsgoodonlyforeating.

Themansionwastypicalinallrespectsexceptone,henotedgleefully.Outsidethemainbuildingwasamassivewoodentowertoppedwithametalplatform.Saveforthematerialfromwhichitwasbuilt, itwas identical in all respects to the docking towerThanquol had seen at theLonelyTowerbeforetheairshiphadsailedofftoavoidfallingintohisclutches.DoubtlessthiswastheplacewheretheairshiphadstoppedenroutenorthwardsintotheWastes.Refuellingorreprovisioningobviously.To Thanquol’s keen mind that implied there was a limit to the vehicle’s range. That was worthknowing.Butwhyhere?WhysoclosetotheChaosWastes?

Briefly Thanquol considered what this might mean. Why had the dwarfs, particularly theaccursedTrollslayerGotrekGurnisson, decided to take such a valuable device into theWastes? Ifonly that dullard, Lurk, had managed to find out. If only he had reported back as he had beeninstructed.Thanquolwasnotintheleastsurprisedthathehadnot.Itwaseverhisfatetobeservedbybuffoonswho livedonly tospoilhis ingeniousplans.Thanquoloftensuspected that thesecatspawswere foisted upon him by the machinations of his devious enemies back in Skavenblight. Theintricaciesof skavenpoliticswere endless andmazy, anda leaderofThanquol’sgeniushadmanyjealousrivalssofilledwithenvythattheywouldstopatnothingtodraghimdown.

DoubtlessonceGurnissonwasinThanquol’sclutcheshecouldbemadetorevealhismissionbyvarious cunningmethods of persuasion known to the grey seer.And if he could not,Gurnisson’shenchman, thatwicked humanFelix Jaeger, could bemade to talk.Actually, thoughtThanquol, hewould probably be the easier of the two. Itwas not that Thanquol feared a confrontationwith thedementedone-eyeddwarf,notintheslightest.Hewas,heknew,inallrespectsfearless,andnotinanyway,shapeorformscaredofamindlesslyviolentbrutelikeGotrekGurnisson.HehadproventhistimeandtimeagaininhisencounterswiththeSlayer.ItwasjustthatitwouldtakelessefforttomakeJaegertalk.

Come to think of it though, Thanquol was forced to admit, Jaeger himself could be stupidlystubbornaboutsuchmatters.Perhapsitwouldbeeasiersimplytocaptureafewprisonersfromthemansion below and interrogate them about the dwarfs’ purpose. Surely theymust be privy to thesecret.Afterall,howcouldthestuntieshavegonetoallthetroubletobuildthetowerdownthereinthemidstofthisforsakensteppe,andnothaverevealedtheirmissiontotheirhumanallies?Hemustmake sure that his allies captured a few of the humans for questioning. In fact, hewould give theorderatonce.

Thanquoltitteredatthethought.Whateverplanthedwarfshad,itmustbeanimportantoneforthemtospendsomuchtimeandeffort,andtorisktheairship,toimplementit.Perhapstheysoughtgoldormagical treasures in theWastes.Knowingdwarfsashedid,Thanquol thought thiswas themost likely explanation. And, as soon as his incredibly brilliant plan was implemented, whatevertreasureshisenemieshadgarneredwouldbegrippedfirmlyinThanquol’smightytalonedpaw.

Hereviewedhisschemeinhismind.Sosimple,yetsodevious.Sodirectandyetsocloakedinsubterfuge.Socleverandyetsofoolproof,asallgreatskavenplansmustbetoavoidbeingfouledupby witless underlings. Truly it was proof, as if any were needed, of the singular genius that wasThanquol’s.Stepbylogicalstephereviewedit.

First,theywouldcapturethemansion.Thenwhentheairshipreturnedasitassuredlywould,theywould take thedwarfsbysurpriseonce itdocked.Before theycouldflyoff,usingsuperiorskavensorcery,aspecialspellthatThanquolhadpreparedforjustthismoment,theywouldimmobilisetheship.Thennothingwouldremainforthemtodoexceptreaptherewardsofvictory.

Ofcourse,therewereafewthingsthatcouldgowrong.Thanquolpridedhimselfthatpartofhisgeniuswashisability todealwith theunexpected.Withanyskaven force therewas thechance thatlackeyswouldmessthingsup.Andtherewasaslightpossibilitythatthedwarfsmightdestroytheirairshipratherthanletitfallintoskavenpaws.Suchthingshadhappenedinthepast,fordwarfswereafoolishlyproudandinsanelystubbornrace.Andtherewastheever-so-slightchancethattheywouldflybackbyadifferentroute.

Thanquolshivered.Allhisdivinatoryskills toldhimthat thiswasanear impossibility.Hehadread his own droppings having eaten only of fermentedwarpstone-spiced curd for thirteenwholehours, suffering themost dreadful flatulence as he proved his devotion to the Horned Rat in thisapprovedmanner.Thesanctifiedexcretahadassuredhimthathisplancouldnotfailandthathewouldencounterthedwarfshere.Ofcourse,aswithallprophesies,therewasacertainmarginoferrorthathad tobe taken intoaccount,butneverthelessThanquol felt thathisvast experience in scryinghadstoodhimingoodstead.Other,lesserseersmightallowtheirwitstobecloudedbytheirowndesiresandhopes,buthehadread thesignswith therigorous impartiality thatwasoneof thesignsofhisunfailinggenius.

HefeltsurethattheaccursedGurnissonwouldreturnfromtheWastes.Franklyhedoubtedthatanythingcouldpreventit.Thanquolcouldreadtheomensandheknewthatthedwarfcarriedamightydoomuponhisshoulders.Itwasthesortofdestinythatcouldonlybeovercomebythepossessorofan evenmightier one.NaturallyGrey SeerThanquol knew that hewas such an individual. Still, itwouldnotpaytounderestimatetheSlayer.

Inhiswarpstone-induceddreams,Thanquolhadseenmanyastrangevisionashesoughtsignsofhis enemies’ whereabouts. He had seen a mighty fortress buried deep beneath a mountain, and astrugglewithadaemonoftrulyterrifyingpower,abeingofsuchsurpassingandbalefulmightthatThanquolwasloathtothinkaboutit.Hepushedthethoughtaside.

Thedwarfwouldreturn,bringingtheairshipwithhim.ItwashisdestinytofallbeforethetitanicintellectofThanquol.Nolesserdoomcouldstayhim.

ThanquolnoticedthattheMoulderclawleaderswerewatchinghim.Hecursedunderhisbreath.“Whatareyour instructions,GreySeerThanquol?”rumbledthemostmassiveof them.“What

doyourequireofus?”“Myorders,”saidThanquolemphatically,“arethatyouandyourskavenaretoproceedatonce

withtheplan.Takethemansionandkeepasmanyofthehumansaliveaspossible,forquestioning.Payparticular attention to preserving breeders and their runts.Themanthings becomeparticularlymalleablewhenyouthreatenthem.”

“Wewouldpreservethemanyway,GreySeerThanquol.Forourexperiments.”Thanquoltiltedhisheadtoonesidetoconsidertheclawleader ’swords.WhatdidtheMoulder

mean?Washisclanconsideringsomenewprogramofbreeding,onethatinvolvedmutatinghumans?Thatwasworthknowing.Theskavenseemedtorealisethathehadletsomethingslip,forheturnedhisbackonThanquolandlumbereddownthehilltoinstructhistroops.ExcitementfilledThanquol.Infiveminutestheattackwouldbegin.UlrikaMagdova stoodon thebattlementsof themansion andgazed towards thedistantmountains.Shewasatallwoman,garbedintheleatherarmourofaKislevitewarrior.Herhairwasshortandashblonde,herfacebroadandoddlybeautiful.Herhandsplayedwiththehiltofhersword.

Behindthemountainstheaurorablazedbrightlyinthesky.ThescintillatinglightoftheChaosWastesatnightilluminatedthepeaksfrombehind.Theywerehugesaw-toothedfangsbelongingtoadistantmonsterthatintendedtodevourtheworld.

At thatmoment, shewaswonderingwhether themonster had swallowedFelix Jaeger and hiscompanions.Therehadbeennowordorsignfromtheminweeks,andnotallthedivinationsofthesorcerer, Max Schreiber, had succeeded in revealing anything about their fate. Ulrika wonderedwhethershewouldeverseeFelixagain.Shewonderedwhethersheevenwantedto.

Itwasnotthatshewantedhimdead.Farfromit.Shedesiredhissafereturnwithallherheart.Itwasjustthathispresencewasso…unsettling.Shewasmoreattractedtohimthansheshouldbe.Hewas, after all, a landless adventurer from theEmpire, a self-confessed criminal and revolutionary.She was the daughter and heir of aMarch Boyar, one of those nobles who guarded the northernboundaryofKislevfromthecreaturesoftheChaosWastes.Itwasherdutytomarryaccordingtoherfather ’swishes,tocementallianceswithneighbours,tokeepthebloodofherclanstrongandpure.

Idiot,shetoldherself.Whydoesthatevenmatter?Itwasasimplebeddingdownwithamanyouliked and wanted. You’ve done it before and you will do it again. It was not uncommon ordisapprovedofhereinKislev,wherelifewasshortandoftenendedinviolence;wherepeopletookwhat pleasure they could, when they could find it. Why does the fact you slept with a landlessadventurermatteratall?Thereisnofuturetoit.Yetshehadthoughtoflittleelsesincehedeparted.Typicaloftheman,really,thatheshouldinflictsuchconfusiononherandthendepart,thegodsaloneknewwhere.

He had his reasons, she knew. Felix Jaeger was sworn to accompany the Slayer, GotrekGurnisson, onhis deathquest however long that took, andhowevermuch itmight end inhis owndeath. Ulrika came from a culture that respected oaths, as only a barely civilised people, whoenforced their own laws with the sword, could do. Here on the marches there were none of thelawyers andwritten contracts so common in the Empire. Here you didwhat you swore to do, orbroughtshameonyourselfandyourfamily.

Andlookwhatthatoathhaddonetothefoolishman.Ithadcarriedhimawayonthatgreatdwarfflyingmachine into the ChaosWastes in search of the lost dwarf city of KaragDum. Ulrika hadwantedtobeghimnottogo,tostaywithher,butshewastooproudtospeak,andshehadfearedthathemightrefuse—andthatwouldhavebeenashameshewasunwillingtoendure.

She kept her gaze on the mountains as if by staring hard at them, she might be able to seethroughtherocktowhatlaybehind.Andanyway,shehadnoideahowhefeltabouther.Perhapsitwasjustaone-nightthingforhim.Menwerelikethat,sheknew.Theycouldpromiseyoutheworldintheevening,andnotevenhaveakindwordcomedawn.

Shesmiled.ShedoubtedthatFelixwouldbeatalossforakindword,oranywordsatall.Thatwaswhatshelikedabouthim.Hewasgoodwithwordsinawayherdourfolkwerenot.Itwasagiftsheenviedhim,iftruthbetold,forshewasnotgoodatsayinghowshefelt.Andinhisownstrange

way,shefeltthatJaegerwasagoodman.Hecouldfightwhenthatwascalledfor,butitwasnothiswholelife,thewayitwasforthemenaroundwhomshehadgrownup.

Thereweretimeswhenshethoughtthathewasnothardenough,andtherehadbeentimeswhenhesurprisedherwithjusthowcoldandruthlesshecouldbe.CertainlyonlyadangerousmancouldbeanassociateofGotrekGurnisson’s.Fromwhatthedwarfswhohadbuiltthetowerhadtoldher,theSlayerwasalreadyadarklegendamonghispeople.

Sheshookherhead.Thiswasgettinghernowhere.Shehadherdutiestoperform.Shewasherfather ’sheir,andshewasneededhere toride theborders, to lead theriders,adutyshefulfilledasablyasanyman,andbetterthanmost.

Footstepssoundednearby.SheturnedherheadtoseeMaxSchreiberwalkingalongtheparapettowardsher.

“Can’tsleep?”heasked,smiling.“Icouldmixyouapotion.”“Checkingthesentries,”shesaid.“It’smyduty.”Shelookedatthemagician.Hewastallanddarkwithascholar ’spallorandwideeyes.Recently

hehad taken tocultivatingagoateebeard,whichsuitedhim.Hewaswearing the formalgarbofamagicianofhiscollege,longflowingrobesofgoldoverajerkinofgreen,andyellowbritches.Anodd-looking skullcap perched on his head. A handsomeman, she thought, but onewhomade heruneasy,andnotjustintheunsettlingwaygood-lookingmensometimesdid.Herewasonewhotrulystoodapartfrommostofhumanity,byvirtueofthepowerinhim,andthetrainingthatlethimwieldit.Shedidnotquitetrusthim,whichwasthewayshereckonedmostofhumanityfeltaboutmagiciansingeneral.Youalwayswonderedabout them—could they readyourmind,bindyou to theirwillwithaspell,ensnareyouinillusions?Andyoufearedtosaysuchthingsaloudoreventothinkthemintheirpresencejustincasetheycould,andtheytookoffence.

Schreiberhimselfhadnevergivenheranyreasontodoubthisbenevolence.Itwasjust…“Youwerewonderingabouttheairship,”hesaid.“Areyouamindreader,then?”“No.Justastudentofhumannature.WhenIhearayoungwomansighandseethatsheislooking

northintotheWastes,Icanputtwoandtwotogether.AndI’veseenyouandFelixtogether.Youmakeagoodcouple.”

“Ithinkyoupresumetoomuch.”“Perhaps.”Hesmiled;alittlesadly,shethought.“HerrJaegerisaluckyman.”“What’sluckyabouthavingtocrosstheChaosWastes?”“That’snotwhatImeant,andyouknowit.”“Iamnotamindreadereither,HerrSchreiber,sohowcanIknowwhatyoumeanifyoudonot

sayit?”“Whydoyoudislikeme,Ulrika?”“Idon’tdislikeyou.”“Youdonotseemtoapproveofme.”“It’sjustyouare…”“Asorcerer?”“Yes.”Hesmiledalittlesadly.“Iamusedtoit.Peopledonottendtotrustusorlikeusmucheither.It

wasnotthatlongagothattheystoppedpersecutingusintheEmpire.”“They still burn witches here, sometimes.Warlocks too. I am sure some of my people here

wouldliketodothattoyou.”

“Ihavenoticed.”“WeareclosetotheChaosWasteshere.Peoplearesuspicious.IwouldnottakeitpersonallyifI

wereyou.”Heshookhisheadruefully,andhissadsmilewidened.Ulrikarealisedthat,giventhechance,she

could actually like the man. “I don’t see how I could take being burned at the stake other thanpersonally.”

“Youhaveapoint.”“Thankyou,”he saidwitha faint traceof irony.Suddenlyhecockedhishead toone side.He

seemedtobelistening.“Whatisit?”Ulrikaasked.Shefeltsuddenlyafraid.“Hush! I think there is something out there.”He closed his eyes and his facewent slack. She

sensedtheplayofpoweraroundhim.Throughhisshutteredeyelidsshesawaglowinglight,asifhiseyeballshadbecometinysunsthatcouldshinethroughflesh!Themusclesonhisjawtightened.Hemutteredwordsinthearcanetongueunderhisbreath.

Hiseyessnappedopen.Shecouldseethelightinthemfading,liketheembersofadyingfire.Hereached out and touched her on the arm.His gripwas surprisingly strong for a scholar. “Remaincalm,”hesaid.“Shownothingonyourface.Therearethingsoutthereandwemustgetawayfromthisparapet.”

“Wemustgivethealarm.”“Wewillgivenoalarmsifweareshotbyasharpshooter,”hesaidsoftly.“Whocouldhitusinthislight?”“Trustme,”hesaidguidingheralongtheparapet.“Walknormallyandthenclimbuptheladder

intothewatchtower.”“Whatisgoingon?”Ulrikaasked.Theurgencyinthemagician’svoicehadcommunicateditself

toher.“Thereareskavenoutthere.TheratmenfollowersofChaos.”“Howdoyouknow?”sheaskedandthencursedherself.Shealreadyknewtheanswer.Hewasa

magician.Shealteredthequestionslightlytocoverhermistake.“Thattheyareskaven,Imean.”“IhavestudiedtheminionsofChaosextensively,”hesaid,inhisquietvoice.Ulrikaknewthathis

calm tonewasmeant to reassureher, tokeepher calm. It annoyedher slightly that he thought shewouldneedsuchtreatment.Ifhenoticedhegavenosign.“It’swhythedwarfshiredme,afterall.”

Theyhadreachedtheladder.“Climb.Iwillfollowyouinamoment.Assoonasyouareinthetowersoundthealarmbell.Wedon’thavemuchtime.”

Despite her mistrust of him, she never doubted that he was serious. In this, at least, she hadperfect faith in Schreiber.Out of the corner of her eyes, she thought she detected a faint scuttlingmass, as of quicklymoving creatures coming close. As she swung out onto the ladder she had acrawlingfeelingbetweenhershoulderblades.Sheimaginedthatshewasbeingtargetedwithaboworacrossboworoneof thosestrangesorcerousweaponsFelixhadtoldher theskavenused.Shefeltcoldsweatstarttorundownherback.

ShewasamazedbySchreiber ’scourage.Thewholetime,hestoodtherelikeamanengagedinacasualconversation,keepingupaflowofquietchatter.Onlyonceshewaswelluptheladderdidhebeginhisownascent.

Shescamperedupasquicklyasshecouldandassoonasherfeethitthedeckofthetowershereached out and grabbed the pull of the great bell. She tugged it with all her strength. The clearchimingtonerangoutthroughthenight.Sheknewitcouldbeheardallacrossthemanor,fromthedeepestcellarstothehighestchambers.

“Awake!”sheshouted.“Enemiesarewithout!”No sooner had the bell’s tolling started to fade than she heard a great feral roaring in the

distance.Sheknewbeyondashadowofadoubtthattheskavenwereoutthere.Warriorswerealreadystarting to tumble from themanor house,weapons held ready. She sawher father ’smassive formemerge into the darkness. A partially buckled cuirass was around his chest and one of his bodyservantshelpedhimadjustthestrapsasheroaredorderstothemen.

“Oleg—takeyoursectionandmantheparapet.Standa—Iwantarchersonallfourwallstillweseewhatdirectiontheattackiscomingfrom.Marta!Gatheralltheservantgirlsanddrawwaterfromthewellsincaseoffire.Getbandagesandunguentsreadyforthewounded!Comeon!Looklively!”

Ulrikawasgladherfatherwasthere.Hewasaveteranofathousandbattlesalongthisdangerousborder.Hisverypresencewashearteningtoallhisfollowersaswellastoher.

Sheglancedoutofthewatchtowerandsawthehordeapproachingthem.Therewerehundredsofskaven,advancinglikeafurrytideacrosstheclearedground.Shewonderedifherfatherhadenoughmeninthemanortoholdthem.Somehowshedoubtedit.TherehadbeenreportsofmoreandmoreChaosfollowerscomingandgoingthroughthepasses.MostofthetroopsofriderswerepatrollingtheborderwithChaos.Ithadbeentheirmisfortune,orperhapsatributetoskavencunning,thattheyhadbeenattackedwhensomanyoftheirriderswereabroad.

Asshedrewhersword,shewonderedifshewouldeverseeFelixagain.Thenthefirstwaveofskavenhitthewall,andshehadtimetothinkofnothingelseexceptfightingforherlife.

ONE

THERETURNFelixJaegerlookeddownfromthebridgeoftheSpiritofGrungni.Hewasatallman,blondofhair,broadofshoulder,narrowofhip.Hisfacewastannedandworrylinesradiatedoutfromhiseyesthatreallyshouldnothavebeenetchedonthefaceofonesoyoung.Butthen,asFelixwouldhavebeenthefirsttoadmit,hewasamanwhoinhistimehadenduredmorethanhisshareofworries.

Hishandswerebracedonthegreatwheeloftheairshipashemadeacoursecorrection,steeringthemightyvesseldirectlytowardswherehebelievedthepassoutoftheChaosWastesshouldlie.HishandstillhurtfromtheburnshehadtakenwieldingtheHammerofFirebeard.Hewasgratefultobeabletograspanythingatall.Hehadbeenlucky.Thedwarfhealingsalvehadhelpedagooddeal.

Hiskeeneyesscannedthetormentedlandbelowhim,watchingthearidsemi-desertscrollalongbeneaththeSpiritofGrungni.Inthedistance,hethoughthecouldmakeoutarisingdustcloud.

Heshivered.Whateverwasmakingit,itwasnotfriendly.Nothingherewas.HelookedatthecompassbutheknewitwasnotalwaysreliableintheWastes.Severaltimeshe

hadseenthelodestoneneedlerotatearoundinacircleundertheinfluenceofevilmagic.Fortunatelytheywerenownearingtheedgeof thecursedland,wheretheoddly-colouredstormcloudsdidnotalwaysobscure thesky,andthestarswereoftenvisiblebynightandsometimes in thedimlightofday.Thesegavehimsomethingtonavigateby.Severaltimestheyhaddriftedfaroffcourseuntiltheyhadfoundastartonavigateby,whichhadaddeddaystotheirtraveltime.

Felixexhaled loudly.Hewasboneweary.Hewasno longergladnowthatMalakaiMakaissonhadtaughthimhowtoflythevessel—althoughitgavehimsomethingtodo,andkepthismindfromworryingaboutthingshecouldnotcontrol.

Thenosecameroundsluggishly,whichwasnotsurprising.TheSpiritofGrungniwasloadedtocapacityandthensome.ThesurvivorsofthedwarfcommunityofKaragDum,thosewhohadbeenleftaliveafterthelastfatalconfrontationwiththedaemonicbloodthirsteranditsminions,filledeverycabinandsparecrannyontheairship.Theholdbulgedwiththetreasurestheyhadtakenfromthelostcitadel.FelixwonderedhowHargrimandhispeoplewouldtaketotheirnewlifebeyondtheWastes.

Thedroneoftheengineswasloudastheystruggledtodrivetheshipintothewind.Felixcursed,for it seemed that theveryelementsconspiredagainst themon their journeyoutof theWastes.Hehalf-suspectedevilmagic.ThereweredozensofmagessworntoservetheDarkPowersdownthere,anditwaseasytoimagineoneofthemwhistlingupawindtoslowtheairshipdown,orastormtodriveit intotheground.TheSpiritofGrungniwasprotectedagainst thedirecteffectsofmagicbuttherewasreallynothinganyoneexceptanothermagiciancoulddoagainstsuchindirectmethods.

Felix strove topush such thoughtsaside, to thinkofhappier things.HewonderedwhatUlrikawas doing just now, whether she missed him, or even thought about him at all. Perhaps she hadforgottenallabouthim.Perhapshehadjustbeenabriefflingforher.Anysuchthoughtsweredrivenfromhisheadbythesoundofloudcursingfrombehindhim.

GotrekGurnissonentered thebridgeof theairshipandmadehispresence felt innouncertainterms.Hestompedaroundthecommanddeck,glaringat theapprenticeengineers,andcastingirateglances through the crystal windows as if half-expecting to see an enemy flying towards them.ConsideringthatamerefewdaysagoGotrekhadbeenneardeathfromthewoundshehadtakeninhisbattlewiththeBloodthirsterofKhorne, thedwarfhadmadearemarkablerecovery.Hestilldidnotlookwell.Hismassivechestwasswathedinbandages.Hishugereddyedcrestofhairpokedout

ofaturbanofsimilarbandageswrappedaroundhishead.Thesameclothobscuredtheeyepatchthatnormallycoveredhisemptyleftsocket.Oneofhisarmswasboundinaslingbuthestillmanagedtocarryhismassiveaxeinhisrighthand.ConsideringFelixwouldstruggletolifttheweaponwithbothhands,itwasanimpressivefeat.

Actually,thefactthattheSlayerwasupandaboutatallwasatestimonytotheruggednessofthedwarf physique. Felix knew that if he, or any otherman, had suffered thewoundsGotrek had, hewouldhavebeenbedriddenformonths,ifhecouldhavesurvivedatall.

“Feelingbetter?”Felixasked.Gotrek’scursinghadalreadygivenhimananswertothatquestion.“IfeelasifIhavebeentrampledonbyaherdofdonkeys,manling.”“Animprovementthen?”“Yes.YesterdayIfeltlikeIhadlostahead-buttingcontestwithSnorriNosebiter.”“Well,you’reluckytobealiveatall.That’swhatBoreksays.”“What’s luckyabout it,manling? If I had fallen in combatwith that accurseddaemon Iwould

haveatonedformymisdeeds,andyouwouldbecomposingmydeathsaga.Asitis,IhavetolistentoSnorriNosebitersnoringandboastingabouthowmanybeastmenheslew.Believeme,therearesomefatesthatareworsethandeath.”

Felixraisedaneyebrow.Heknewthedwarfwellenoughnowtounderstandwhenhewasmakinga joke.Oddly enough, given the fact that his avowedpurpose in lifewas to find a heroic death inbattle,Gotrekdidnotsoundallthatsorrytostillbealive.Felixsuspectedthatheactuallydetectedanote of sour pleasure in the Slayer ’s voice, though he thought it diplomatic not to point this out.Instead he said, “But if you had fallen, none of the folk of Karag Dumwould have escaped, theHammer of Firebeard would have fallen into the hands of the Chaos worshippers, and the GreatBloodthirster would have had his revenge on the race of dwarfs. Surely that is something to bethankfulfor?”

“Youmighthaveapointthere,manling.”“YouknowIdo.AndwedidhelpBorekprovehistheoryaboutthelocationofKaragDum.We

didfindthelostcity,andwedidrecoverthesacredhammer.”“There’snoneedtobelabourthepoint.”“Andwedidthwartthepowersofdarkness,andgetafairhaulofgoldand—”“Isaid—”“FelixJaegerdoeshaveapoint,Gotrek,sonofGurni,”saidadeepmellowvoice.Felixglanced

backtoseethattheancientdwarfscholar,Borek,hadalsoenteredthebridge.Hewasstoopedalmostdoublewithageandhehadtouseasticktohelphimwalkbuttherewasavitalityabouthim,andanexcitement, that Felix had never seen before.Hewas filledwith life and triumph.Their success atKaragDum,ifyoucouldcalltakingpartinabattlethathadleftmostofthedwarfpopulationofthecitydeadasuccess,hadgivenmeaningtohisentirelife.TheyhadrecoveredFirebeard’shammerandwouldrestoreittothedwarfpeople.FelixknewthatBorekthoughttheyhadperformedamightyfeatof valour. He himself was not so sure. Beside the scholar was his nephew, Varek, who hadaccompaniedFelix andGotrek andSnorri into the lost city, and had recorded their deeds.Varek’sglasses glittered in the light filtering onto the command deck. He smiled at Felix and the Slayercheerily.

Aswell hemight, thoughtFelix.Notmanydwarfs could claim tohave survivedan encounterwithadaemonofChaos.

JustbehindthemstoodHargrim,thesonofThangrimFirebeard,hisbearddyedasblackashisclothingashemournedhisfather.Nowhisfatherwasgone,hewastheleaderofthefolkofKaragDum.Hisfacewasasgrimasdeath.Hiseyesweresadasonlythoseofadwarfwhohadlostfather

andhomeatthesametimecouldbe.Henoticed the lookBorekgavehim.Itwasnot reallya looksuited toanancientwhosewhite

bearddraggedalongthefloor.ItheldanelementofreverencethatmadeFelixuncomfortable.SincehisreturnfromKaragDummostofthedwarfsontheairshiphadbeengivinghimthatlook.HehadliftedFirebeard’shammerandinvokeditspowerinthebattlewiththegreatdaemon.Apparentlyhewasthefirstandonlyhumaninhistorysincethetimeoftheman-godSigmartohaveperformedsuchafeat,andtheynowregardedhimasblessedbytheirgods.Felixdidnotfeelparticularlyblessed.Justinvokingthehammer’spowerhadalmostkilledhim.Andfightingthedaemonwasafeathehopednevertohavetorepeatinhislife.

“Lookdownthere!”saidFelixtodistractthem.HiskeeneyeshadcaughtsightofmovementintheWastesfromtheedgeofthevastdustcloud.Byallthegods,itwashuge.Ifitwerebeingmadebyaforceofmen,Felixwouldhavesuspectedthepresenceofanarmy.HereintheChaosWastes,whoknewwhatitsignified?

Astheyclosedwithit,hecouldseeagroupoffigures,madetinybytheairship’saltitude,ridingacrosstheland,amassivecloudofpolychromaticdustrisingintheirwake.

Borek peered down through his pince-nez glasses. “What is it? Tellme!My eyes are not sogood.”

“It’satrailofdust,”Gotreksaid.“Thereareridersdownthere.Alotofthem.”“Iwouldsayseveralhundred.Black-armouredChaosknights.Headingsouth,thesamedirection

weare.”“Youreyesarebetterthanmine,manling.I’lltakeyourwordforit.”“That’sthetenthpartywehaveseensinceweleftKaragDum.Allheadinginthesamedirection.”

SlowlysomethingbecameevidenttoFelix.Hefelthisheartbeatstarttopound,andhismouthgodry.They were passing over the heart of the dust cloud now, and he could see many more figures.Thousandsofthem,perhapstensofthousands.Hethoughthecouldmakeoutthemisshapenfiguresofbeastmen,andothermoredisturbingthings.Itwasapparent that theChaosworshippers theyhadseenearlierwereeitherstragglers from,or the rearguardof,amuchmightier force.One thatwasheadingdirectlyintothelandsofmen.

“ByGrungni,it’sanarmyonthemarch,”heheardVareksay.Theyoungdwarfhadaspyglasspressed tohis faceandwas looking through it intently.“This is larger than the force thatbesiegedKaragDum.Whatisgoingon?”

“IfearthePowersofChaosareplanninganewincursionintothelandsofmen,”Hargrimsaid.“Noplacewillbesafeformypeople.”

Felix felt a thrill of fear. The last thing anybody in the human lands wantedwas a full-scaleinvasion by the followers of theRuinous Powers. Theywere numberless and powerful, and Felixsuspected, afterwhat he had seen in theseWastes, that only their constant internecine fightingkeptthemfromsweepingawayhumancivilisation.

“Good.Icoulduseadecentfight,”Gotreksaid.“Iwouldhavethoughtyou’dhadenoughofthatrecently,”Felixsaidsourly.“There’sneverenoughfightingforaSlayer,FelixJaeger,”saidBorek.“Youshouldknowthat

bynow.”“UnfortunatelyIdo.”AnewworryenteredFelix’smind,oneheknewhehadbeentryingtokeep

outallday.“Iftheyinvade,theChaoshordeswillcomethroughtheAxebitePass.”“Whatofit,manling?”“IvanStraghov’smansionisrightintheirpath.”“Thenwehadbesthurryonandwarnthem,hadn’twe?”

ExcitementandtensionfilledFelix’smind.Theywerethroughthepass.ThelandofKislevlaybeforethem.InhourshewouldseeUlrikaagain.Hefeltmorenervousthanhecaredtoadmit.Asnervousashehadeverbeenbeforeabattle,perhapsmoreso.Hewonderedifshewouldbeaspleasedtoseehimashewasgoingtobetoseeher.Hewonderedwhatshewouldsay,whathewouldsay,whatshewouldbewearing.Heshookhishead.Heknewhewasbehavinglikeaschoolboywithacrush,yethecouldnothelphimself.Ithadbeenalongtimesincehehadfeltthiswayaboutanyone.NotsincethedeathofKirstenatFortvonDiehl,whichseemedlikeyearsago.Itwasapitythathehadtobebringingsuchbadtidings.

He placed the spyglass to his eye and scanned the horizon, hoping for a first glimpse of themansion,andwasrewardedwithaviewofwhathethoughtwasthemooringtower.Soon,hethought,soon.

“Lookingforward tobeingback?”saidavoicefrombesidehim.Felix lookeddownatVarek.Theyoungdwarfwaslookingathimwithsomethinguncomfortablylikeheroworship.Felixhadnoideawhy.Varekhadsharedinall theperilsofthedescentintoKaragDumFelixhadfacedandhaddonehisparttobringtheirquesttoasuccessfulconclusion.TherewasnoreasonforhimtoidoliseFelixbutitwasapparentthathedid.Varekworealeatherhelmetandflyinggoggles.Makaissonhadbeenteachinghimhowtoflyagyrocopteronthereturntrip.Hehadjustcomebackfromaflight,Felixrealised.

“CourseyoungFelixis,”saidSnorriNosebiter.“EvenSnorricanseethat.He’sgoingtoseehisladyfriend.”

SnorriwinkedacrossatFelixknowingly.Itwasnotareassuringsight.Evenbandagedashewas,SnorriNosebiterwas the only dwarf Felix had evermetwhowasmore terrifying thanGotrek inappearance,andthewoundshehadtakenatKaragDumhadnotimprovedhislooks.

LikeGotrek,SnorriwasamemberoftheSlayercult,sworntoseekheroicdeathinbattle.LikeGotrekhis squat ape-like bodywas covered in tattoos.UnlikeGotrek, however, he had three nailsdriven directly into his shaven head. Thiswas in place of the crest of hair thatmost Slayers had.Snorriwasnotthebrightestofdwarfsbut,foraSlayer,hewasfriendly.

Felixfocusedthespyglassontheapproachingmanorhouse.Therewassomethingoddaboutit.At first he could notwork outwhat, but slowly he started to put his finger on it. Therewere notenoughpeopleinthefieldsaroundit.Infacttherewasnoone.Thereshouldhavebeenserfs,carts,workhorses, soldiers, sentries, riderscomingandgoingwithmessages.Heranhisgazeacross thehorizontomakesurehewasright.Hisheartwasbeatingfaster.Hispalmsfeltsuddenlysweaty.Therewasasickfeelinginthepitofhisstomach.Thiswaswrong.HadtheforcesofChaosalreadybeenhere?

HebreathedaprayertoSigmarthatnothinghadhappenedtoUlrika,andthenaddedoneforherfather and the rest of the people on the estate, but he was not sure his prayer was going to beanswered.Lookingcloselyatthemansionhecouldseesignsofadisaster.

Itlookedasifthegatehadbeenforcedwithabatteringram.Thereweresignsofburningonthestone walls.Whole sections of the palisade had collapsed. It all reminded him sickeningly of theaftermathofthemassacreatFortvonDiehl.

“No,notagain,”hemuttered.“Whatisit,manling?Whatdoyousee?”Gotrekasked.Felixdidnotanswer.Theonlythingthatgavehimhopewasthefact thathecouldnotseeany

bodies.Andhewasnotatallsure that itwasahopefulsign.Therewerenosignsof lifeatall.Nosignsofabattleexceptthedamagetothebuildingsandfortifications.Surely,hethought,therewouldbecorpses,orat leastsignsofburial.Franticallyhescanned theareafora funeralpyreoramass

grave.Perhapsthatmoundovertherewasnew.“Whatdoyousee,manling?”Gotrekaskedagain.Therewasanoteofmenaceinhisvoicenow.“Themansionhasbeenattacked,”hesaid.Hewasnotsurehowhemanaged tokeephisvoice

steadybuthedid.“Anditlookslikeeveryonehassimplyvanished.”“Intothinair?”“Itlookslikeit.”“Idon’tlikeit,”Gotreksaid.“Itsmellsofatrap.”Felix was forced to agree with the Slayer ’s assessment. There was a wrongness about the

situationdowntherethathedidnotlikeintheleast.Ontheotherhand,hedesperatelyneededtofindoutwhathadhappenedtoUlrika.Letherbealive,heprayed.

Theairshipmovedeverclosertothedeserted-lookingmansion.Grey Seer Thanquol gazed at the approaching airship through the eyepiece of his periscope. Asalways,hewasmoreimpressedthanhecaredtoadmitbythedwarfs’creation.Thatsuchamassivevesselcould flyhintedatamagicgreater thanhisown.Yetheknew itwasnotmagic thatkept thehugevesselaloft,butthedwarfs’arcanetechnology.

Hebegantochewonsomecarefullyhoardedpiecesofpowderedwarpstone,knowingsoonhewouldneedallthesorcerousstrengthitcouldgranthim.Hefeltalittleweak.Lastnighthismagicalduelwiththehumanwizardhadtakennearlyallhisstrength.Ithadalmostupsetallofhiscarefullylaidplans.Whowouldhaveexpectedthehumanstohavesuchastrongmageintheirmidst?Still,intheend,Thanquolhadtriumphed,aswasonlyinevitable.ThepowerofatrueservantoftheHornedRatwouldalwaysovercomethefeeblemagicofmankind,justastherighteousskavenwarriorshadfinally succeeded in taking the human keep. It filledThanquol’s heartwith pride to think they hadmanagediteventhoughtheyhadonlyoutnumberedthehumanstentoone.Itwasafittingtributetothegeniusofhisleadershipthatvictorywashisintheteethofsuchodds.

Theyhadeven takensomeprisoners,whowoulddoubtless serveas suitable subjects forClanMoulder ’sexperimentsonce thisexpeditionwasover. ItpainedThanquol to think that theyhadnothadenoughtimeyettoreallyinterrogatetheircaptives.Therewasnothinghefoundmorerelaxingthan breaking a few terrified humans to his will. In particular he was pleased to have the humanwizardinhisclutches.ThemanhadbeenknockedunconsciousbymagicalbacklashwhenattemptingtodispelThanquol’slastspell.OncehewasconsciousandThanquolhadthetime,hewouldtorturethemanforthesecretofhisspells.

They had even managed to capture a few breeders, which was an unexpected bonus. Thesurvivorswere imprisoned in the cellars except for theyoungest and,Thanquol guessed, themostattractiveofthebreederswhomhethoughthemightbeabletousetolureFelixJaegerandGotrekGurnissonintoatrap.

Eventhetimingoftheairship’sarrivalseemedtofavourhim.Itwasgettingdarkandthatwouldhelp cover the ambushing troopswaiting in the building and the cellars to erupt on the dwarfs. ItoccurredtoThanquolasheviewedtheoncomingairshipthatLurkcouldstillbealive,andperhapshemightbeabletocontacthim.Thatbeingthecase,Thanquolthought,itwasworththeattempt.ItmightproveveryusefultohaveanagentaliveandaboutThanquol’sbusinessupthere.

Hedecidedhe’dbettermaketheattempt.Lurk’s head was splitting. It was not unusual these days. In the recent past he had endured moresufferingthananyskaveninthehistoryoftheworld.Itwassounfair.Hehadnotaskedtostowawayonthisaccursedairship.Hehadnotaskedforthesechangestocomeoverhisbody.Doubtlessitwasthewarpstone,hethought,andthoselightningboltsthathadhittheairshipwhatseemedlikeanageago.Theyhad caused the changes.Hehadheard of similar changes comingover grey seers after

prolongedconsumptionofthestuff,andtheHornedRataloneknewhowmuchwarpstonedusthehadbreathedinsincethefoolishdwarfshadtakentheirstupidairshipoutovertheWastes.

If only he had stayed below in the cupola, where it was safe.Where the air was filtered byscreens, there was plenty of food and human and dwarf magic protected you from the effects ofChaos.Alasthathadnotprovedpossible.Histhirteen-times-be-damnedmaster,GreySeerThanquol,hadinsistedonregularreportsanditwasimpossibleforhissorcerytotouchhislackeywhilehewaswithintheprotectedarea.SoLurkhadtoleavetheprotectionofthegondolatopleasehisaccursedmaster.ThushadLurkcometobeexposedtothemutatingdustinthefirstplace.Andnow,withthecupolafulltoburstingwithstunties,itwasallbutimpossibleforLurktohidedownthere.Itwouldonly have been amatter of time before hewas detected, and he doubted that even a skaven of hisprodigiouspotencycouldovercomesomanydwarfwarriors.

Hedidnotknowwhatwasworse—thepaininhisheadorthehungerthatburnedinhisbelly.Hecouldnot remembereverbeingso ravenous,notevenafterbattle,wheneveryskavenwasmost inneedofsustenance.Thehungerhadcomeonhimwiththechangesinhisbody.Hewashugenow,andmuscular,inawayhehadneverbeenbefore.Hehadmuscleslikearat-ogreandhistailwaslikealengthofsteelcable.Hisbodywasprobablytwiceitsprevioussizeandhistalonswerelikedaggers.Knobsofhorn,similartotheonesonGreySeerThanquol’scranium,hadstartedtoprotrudefromhisskull.Washebecomingagreyseer,Lurkwondered?OrwasthisasignofsomeotherblessingfromtheHornedRat?Rightatthismoment,Lurkdidnotfeelparticularlyblessed.Rightnowhewasfeelingtiredandhungryandsorryforhimself.Hewasfilledwiththejustifiablecautioninthefaceofhis enemies that some mistakenly called fear. And there was this strange buzzing in his head. Abuzzingthatseemedtotaketheformofwords.

Lurk!Youdolt!Isthatyou?Lurkwonderedwhetherthiswasahallucinationbroughtonbystarvation,orwhetherthehorrors

hehadenduredhad finallydrivenhimmad.Still, therewassomethingstrangely familiarabout thevoice,anannoyingarroganceandacontemptforeveryonebutitsowner.

Lurk!Answerme!Iknowyouarethere!Icansenseyou!Lurk’spawsstrayedtotheamuletGreySeerThanquolhadgivenhim.Wasitpossible,heasked?

Afteralltheselongdays,thatThanquolhadmanagedtore-establishcontact?Icanseetheairship,youoaf!AndIcanfeelyourfeeblemind.Ifyoudonotanswerme,Ishall

consumeyourpatheticsoul,andfeedyourfesteringcarcasstoBoneripper.ThefirstfaintflickerofrebellionflaredinLurk’sbrain.WhowasGreySeerThanquoltospeak

tohiminsuchamannerafterallhehadendured?HadThanquoleverventuredintotheChaosWastes?HadThanquol ever travelled so far in such a dangerous and experimental vehicle?HadThanquoleverbeenexposedtowarpstonedustandmutatedinsuchanuncontrollablefashion?JustlethimtryandfeedmetoBoneripper,Lurkthought,astheragebuiltupinhismind.Iwilltearthecreaturelimbfrom limb, consume its flesh, crack itsbones formarrowand spit thegristle atyou,mightyGreySeerThanquol.YouseeifIdon’t.

Butwhathedidwasreachoutandtouchthecrystal.“Mightiestofmasters,”hechittered.“Canitreally be you? Has your omnipotent sorcery finally succeeded in overcoming the dire obstaclesplacedinitswaybythosewickeddwarfsandre-establishedcontactwithyourfaithfulLurk?”

Yes,idiot,ithas!ThebalefulthoughtblastedthroughtheetherandlodgeditselfinLurk’sbrain.Lurkwasamazed

thathismouthandforebraincouldmouthsuchgrossandinsincereflatterywhilehishindbrainandentire spirit festeredwith rebellion.He knew that given a chance hewould kill Thanquol, and theworldwouldbenonetheworsefor it.Thegreyseerwasmadandincompetent.Hedeservedtodie

andbe replacedbysomeonebetter.SomeonenotunlikeLurk, in fact.Heknewnowthat itwasnotonlyhisbodythatthewarpstonehadalteredbuthismindandspirit.Hehadbecomesmarterandhiseyeshadbeenopenedtomanythings.HeknewnowhewasclevererthanThanquol,andcouldleadfarbetter,ifgivenachance.Forthemomentthough,hedecidedthatprudentskavencautionwasthebestcourse.

“Whereareyou,mightiestofmasters?”Iambelowyouinthehumanfortress,waitingtospringatraponthosestuntedfools.Nowreport

tome!Wherehaveyoubeen?Whyhaveyounotrespondedtomypotentspellsofcommunication?Becausetheyneverreachedme,youoverbearingclod,thoughtLurk.“Perhapsmyfeeblebrain

wasincapableofencompassingsuchpotentsorceries,mostmasterfulofmages,”hereplied.Report!Aretheremanydwarfsontheairship?Isitdamaged?Wherehaveyoubeen?Doyouhave

manytreasuresonboard?What is thismad skaven on about? Treasures?What treasures could there possibly be?Grey

SeerThanquolhadnoideawhathadbeengoingonuphere,thatmuchwasobvious.DidhethinkthatLurkhadtherunoftheairship?Thatthedwarfsgavehimacheerygreetingandananswertoallhisquestions? His disrespect for Thanquol increased with every passing moment. His mouth said:“WhichquestionshouldIanswerfirst,wisestofleaders?”

Answerasyouwillbutanswerquick-quick!Wemaynothavemuchtimebefore…“Beforewhat,mostperspicaciousofpotentates?”Nevermind.JustbereadytoactwhenIgivetheorder.“Asalways,mostcommandingofcommanders.”Ifheclosedhiseyes,LurkcouldvisualiseGreySeerThanquolstandingbeforehim, redorbs

gleamingwithmadknowledge,thefrothofthewarpstonesnufftowhichhewasaddictedclingingtohis lips. Lurk wished the grey seer was here right now so that he could reach out and wring hisscrawnyneck.Heflexedhistalonsinanticipation.

Soon theairshipwill dockandour trapwill be sprung!Prepare to spreadasmuch chaosandconfusionamongthestuntiesasyoucan,butbecarefulnottodamagetheairship!

Preparetogetmyselfkilledfurtheringyourcrazedschemes,youmean.LurkhadnointentionofendangeringhislifeforthegreatergloryofGreySeerThanquol.ItoccurredtohimthathehaddonethisquiteoftenenoughalreadywithoutaddingtothetallyofmisdeedsthatThanquolowedhimfor.“Ofcourse,master.Ilivetoobey,”hesaid.

Good-good!Seethatyoudoandyouwillbewellrewarded!Failmeand—“Saynomore,mostpersuasiveofpontificators.Iwillnotfailyou.”Nowanswermyquestions!Aretheremanydwarfsonboard?Lurk answered the catechism, being careful to overstate the strength of the dwarfs in every

respect. Itwas aswell to have your excuses prepared in advancewithGreySeerThanquol. Itwassomethinghehadlearnedfromthemasterhimself.Felixpeereddownatthemansion.Itwasasbadashehadfeared.Therewasnosignoflife.No!Wait!Whatwasthat?Wasitmovementatthewindow?Hefocusedthespyglassonitbutbythetimehehaddonesoitwasgone.

“Isupposewehadbettergodownandinvestigate,”saidGotrektestily,pullingtheslingfromhisarmandflexingthemusclesexperimentally.

“Whatifit’satrap?”Felixasked.“What’syourpoint,manling?Whatifitisatrap?”Felix considered his words carefully. The Slayer was still determined to seek his doom, that

muchwasobvious.ButforonceFelixwaskeentoaccompanyhim.Heneededtofindoutwhathad

happenedhere.HedesperatelyneededtoknowwhathadbecomeofUlrika.Andherpeople,headdedasaguiltyafterthought,thoughheadmittedtohimselftherewasonlyonepersondowntherewhosefatehereallycaredabout.

“We’llgodowntogether,”Felixsaid.“Snorriwillcomewithyou,”saidSnorri.“Ithinktherestofusshouldstaywiththeairship,”Boreksaid.“Nosenseinriskingeverything

andeveryoneatthislatestage.”Theoldscholarat leasthadthegraceto lookembarrassedashesaidit.Not thatFelixblamed

him.IfhehadbeenincommandoftheshiphewouldhaveforbadeanyofthecrewexcepttheSlayerstogodown.Andtheonlyreasonhewouldnothaveforbadethemwasbecausehewouldhaveknownitwasuselesstogivethemordersanyway.

“We’lldockatthetower,”hesaid.“Andyoucanmakeyourwaydown.Atleastthethingisstillstanding,anditlookscompletelyundamagedtoo.That’sastrokeofluck.”

“Isit?”Felixasked,drawinghisdragon-hiltedsword.“Iwonderifluckhasanythingtodowithit.”GreySeerThanquolchuckledmalevolently.Itwasallcomingtogetherperfectly.Allthepawnswereinposition.Hehadevenmanaged to recontact that imbecileLurk.Perhaps the little runtmightstillprovetobeofsomeuse,Thanquolthought,thoughhedidnothavehighhopes.Lurkhadnotproventobethatgreataminioninthepast.Still,youcouldnevertell.

Helookedattheblond-furredbreederhehadorderedbroughtupfromthecellar.Heguessedshewasattractivebythestrangestandardsofthehumans,andyouneverknew,hemightbeabletouseherasanegotiatingchip.Humanmaleswerestrangelyprotectiveoftheirbreeders,theHornedRataloneknewwhy.

He showed her his fangs menacingly, and to his surprise she showed neither fear nor awe.Insteadshespatonhisface.Thanquollickedawaythespittlewithhislongpinktongueandflexedhisclawsmenacingly.Onceagain,thebreedersurprisedhim.Shereachedforthehiltoftheswordthatwasnolongerscabbardedatherwaist,andThanquolwassuddenlygladitwasnot there.Itseemedthatthisbreedermightactuallybedangerous.

“Be very quiet!” he chittered softly andmenacingly. “Or your life will be forfeit. Grey SeerThanquolhasspoken.”

Ifsherecognisedhisnameshegavenosign.“It’salwaysnicetoknowthenameoftheratyouintendtokill,”shesaid.

Thanquolopenedhiseyesafractionandletherseethepowerburningthere.Thistimeshedidquailalittle,asalmostanyonewouldwhenconfrontedbythesupernaturalglow.

“Donotbestupid,breeder.Killmeyouwillnot.Liveyouonlyatmypleasure.Dieyouwillifyouannoyme.”

“You are the skaven sorcerer of whom Felix spoke,” she murmured to herself, so low thatThanquolalmostdidnothear.Almost.

“KnowyoutheaccursedFelixJaeger?”hedemanded.She seemed to realise her mistake for her mouth snapped shut, and she said nothing more.

Thanquolbaredhisfangsinagrin.“Interesting.Very-very.”Heturnedthisknowledgeoverinhishead,wonderingwhathemightdowithit,wonderingwhat

the nature of the relationship between this breeder and Felix Jaeger was. Had they mated? Apossibility. Humans always seemed to be in heat. It was their way. Did they have runts? No. Notenoughtime.Thanquolcursed.Ifonlyhehadfoundthisoutearlier,hemighthavebeenable todosomethingwiththeknowledge.Now,henolongerhadthetime.Heneededtopreparehismindforthe

greatspellofbinding.“Boneripper!”hecommanded.“Watchthisbreeder.Donotletherescape.”He sensed other eyes on him, and noticed the nearestMoulder clawleader waswatching him

closely.Howmuchof the exchangebetweenThanquol and thebreederhadhe followed,Thanquolwondered?Notthatitmattered.Therewouldbetimesoonenoughtogettothebottomofallthis.Hisenemieswerealmostwithinhisgrasp.Felixwatchedas theairshipnosed intopositionnear the tower.Thedwarfsdropped theirgrapnelsthenpulled the shipgently intoplace.Theboarding rampwas extendedbetween the tower and theship.Felixdrewhisdragon-hiltedswordandgotreadytomakethelongdescenttothegroundbelow.Hewas nervous.He sensed evil eyeswatching him. Just your imagination, he told himself, but heknewitwasnot.

“Ready,manling?”Gotrekasked.“AsI’lleverbe.”“Snorri’sreadytoo,”saidSnorriNosebiter.“Thenlet’sgo.”As they strode across the ramp, Felixwas oncemore uncomfortably aware of how it flexed

beneaththeirweightandhowhighuptheywere.Thewindwhippedhislongredcloakandtuggedathishair.Itwascoldandchillasonlyawindfromthenorthernsteppescouldbe.

GotrekandSnorriwouldhave lookedalmostcomical, swathedas theywere inbandages,hadtheynotbeen so serious.Felixdoubted that anybody inhis rightmindwould laughat twoSlayerswhenthismoodwasuponthem.Hedidnotfeelmuchlike laughinghimself.HecouldnothelpbutnoticethatbothGotrekandSnorriweremovingslowlyandfavouringtheirwoundedsides.Hehopednothingwasdown there to attack them.When fully fit he knewGotrekwas amatch for just aboutanythingthatwalkedontwolegs,andnearlyanythingonfour,butrightnowhewasheavilywounded,andthatwouldcountsorelyagainsthimiftherewasfighting.

“I’llgo first,”Felixsaid,moving to the ladder.Hedoubted that theelevatorcagewouldworkrightnow,andanywayhedidnotwanttobecaughtinitiftheywereattacked.Itwastoomuchlikeadeathtrap.

“Inyourdreams,manling,”Gotreksaid.“Snorrihasadoomtofindtoo,”saidSnorri.“Yourjobistorecordit,youngFelix.”“IonlyagreedtodothatforGotrek,”Felixsaidtouchily.“Well, if Snorri happens to be therewhen I findmine, you can surely give him a few lines,

manling.”Felixlookedatthegroundbelow.Hewasfairlycertainhesawmovementwithinthewindowsof

themanor.“Isthereanybodyalivedownthere?”heshouted.Therewasnosenseinbeingsubtle.AnyenemieswouldalreadyhaveseenandheardtheSpiritofGrungniarrive.

“Therecertainlyis,manling,”Gotreksaid.“Icanhearthem.”“Snorrismellsskaven,”saidSnorri.“Great,”Felixsaid.“That’sjustwhatweneeded.”“I’mgladyouthinkso,youngFelix,”saidSnorri.“Snorrithinkssotoo.”“Ihaveafewscorestosettlewiththoseratmen,”Gotreksaid.“I’mprettysuretheyhaveafewtosettlewithus,Gotrek,”saidFelix.AfterNuln,hewassurethat

the skavenwould not be in the slightest disposed to talkwith them. Thatwas for sure. He forcedhimselftokeepclimbingdown.

***

Lurk padded through the great balloon.He knew the airship had come to a halt.He had heard theenginenoisefadeanddie.Hehadfelttheshipshudderasitnudgedagainstsomething,feltthefaintsidewaysmovementasitwastiedup.Heknewitwastimetobeabouthisbusiness.Hisbusiness,notGreySeerThanquol’s.Heknewthatifeverhewastoescapefromthisaccursedvesselfullofstuntiestherewould never be a better time than during Thanquol’s attack. Thatwould keep the crew busywhile Lurk made his getaway. There would be time to make his excuses to Thanquol later. Lurkpoisedhimselfinreadinesstospringintoaction.Ulrikawatchedthesmallfiguresstepoutontotheplatformabove.Oneofthem,shecouldsee,wasFelix.Herheartsank.Shehadnotfelt thisbadsincetheskavenassaultforcehadswarmedoverthewallsandbeganslaughteringherpeople.Sheconsoledherselfwiththethoughtthatshehadat leastkilledhalfadozenofthescuttlingmonstersbeforeshewasclubbeddownfrombehind.

Not that it had made much difference; there had been just too many of the things. Still, shecalculatedthatherforcehadtakenoutagoodhalfoftheskaven.Shefeltsickwithworry.Alldayshehadbeenlockedupinthecellars,partofherhometurnedintoacell,notknowingwhetherherfatherorher friendswere still aliveandnowshewasbeing forced towatchwhile thisgloating,horned-headedalbinosorcererstoodreadytoambushFelixandhiscrew.Shehadnohopesthattheycoulddriveoff the ratmen.Therewerenotenoughof themaboard theairship towithstand thechitteringhordes.

Shelookedaroundandwishedshestillhadherweapons.Notthatshefanciedherchancesmuchagainst the huge rat-ogre that acted asGreySeerThanquol’s bodyguard even fully armed but shemighthavestoodsomechance.As itwas, therewasnohopeatall.ShewishedshepossessedMaxSchreiber ’ssorcerouspowers,thenitwouldnothavematteredifshewasarmedornot.Whathavocthemagehadwrought lastnightbeforebeingblastedbysomespellof themadratmanbeforeher.Schreiberalonemusthavekilledfiftyoftheskaven.

Such thoughtsweregettinghernowhere. Ifwisheswerehorseswe’dall ride chargers, asherfatherusedtosay.Therehadtobesomethingshecoulddo,somewayshecouldwarnFelixandtheothersandstillescape.Shethoughtaboutit.Eveniftherewasnoescapeshecouldstillwarnthem.Shewastheharddaughterofahardland.Ifherlifewasforfeitthensobeit.

Sheglancedaroundatthehallandtheseethingseaofrat-likefaces.Itwasapitytheywerethelastthingshewasgoingtoseeinthislife,shethought,asshehesitatedforamoment,thenopenedhermouthandpreparedtoshoutawarning.GreySeerThanquolfeltthepowersurgewithinhim.Hismomentwasalmosthere.Gurnisson,Jaegerandthebeautiful,beautifulairshipwerealmostwithinhisgrasp.

He reached into his pouch and found the necessary components. A piece of magnetisedwarpstone.Asliverofrune-encrustedmetal.Thethirteen-sidedamuletinscribedwiththethirteenfatalrunesofutterpower.Hehadeverythingheneeded.Hewasreadytobegin.Therewouldbenoescapeforhisenemiesthistime.Hewascertainofthat.

He flexed his paws, reached out with his spirit, drew power from the winds of magic andpreparedtounleashhisspell.

TWO

AMBUSHATSTRAGHOVMANSIONFelixlookeddown.Hewasnothappy.Ofthemanythingshehatedandfearedinthislife,skavencameclose to the top of the list. He had loathed the vile vermin ever since he and the Slayer had firstencounteredtheminthesewersofNuln.Whatwasworse,theawfulcreaturesseemedtohavedoggedtheir footsteps ever since, even assaulting the Lonely Tower before their expedition to the ChaosWastes. Who would have thought they would have shown up here, though? The northernmostprovincesofKislevwerealongwayfromanywhere.WasthereachoftheHornedRatsolong?

Still,whyshouldhebesurprisedbyanythinginthislife?ItsometimesseemedtohimthatheandtheSlayerwerethemostunluckycreaturesevertowalkthefaceoftheworld.Everywheretheywent,theyencounteredtheservantsofChaos.Everywheretheywent,theymetwithdisasteranddestruction.Another,worse, thought pushed that idea fromhismind.Was it possible thatUlrikawas alive anddownthereintheclutchesoftheratmen?Itwassomethingthatdidnotbearthinkingabout.

“Should we go on down?” Felix asked. They were half way down the ladder, on the fifthplatform.

“Whynot?”Gotrekreplied.“YouwantedtofindoutwhathappenedtotheKislevites.”“Underthecircumstances,I’mprettysureIcanguess.”“Guessingisn’tgoodenough,manling.Theremaybesomehumansalivedownthere,andthey

grantedusfireandshelter.”“FireandshelterandabucketofvodkaforSnorri,”addedSnorrihelpfully.“Thatsettlesitthen,”Felixsaidsourly.“I’llgladlysellmylifeforabucketofvodka.”Felixknewhewas justgrumbling for the sakeof form.Even if the twoSlayershadnotbeen

there, he liked to think he would continue anyway to find out the fate of Ulrika and her family.FlankedbyGotrekandSnorritherewasnoturningback.Heconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthatiftherewereskavendownthere,alotofthemweregoingtodie.

Unless they have some of those terrible sharpshooters, Felix thought. Or even some withcrossbows.Easiestthingintheworldtopickusofffromadistance.Ormaybenot.Notinthislight.Notwithallthesewoodencrossbarsaround.AndSnorriandGotrekwereshort;theywouldnotmakegoodtargets.Ofcourse,thatleftoneobvioustargetforanysniping.Hetriedtopushthethoughtfromhismindasheputhisweightontherungsoftheladderoncemore.AglowsurroundedGreySeerThanquol.ForamomentUlrika stood frozen,wonderingwhatnewhorrortheskavensorcererwasabouttounleash.Theauraofpowerthatsurroundedthecreaturewasalmostoverwhelming.Theskavenraisedtwoobjectsithadtakenfromitspouchandbeganchantingsomething in itsownhigh-pitched tongue.All skaveneyes in the roomwereupon it.The rat-ogregrowledasitsensedthegatheringofpower.Ulrikadecidedthatitdidnotmatterwhattheskavenwasup to. This was her best chance to do something. Whatever wickedness Thanquol was about tocommit,shewouldputastoptoit.

She sprang forward and sent her booted foot crashing intoGreySeerThanquol’s groin. Theskavengaveasquealofpainandbentoverdouble,droppinghissorcerousadjuncts.Astrangesmellofmusksuddenlyfilledtheair.Therat-ogreroaredandreachedforher.Shedivedforward,belowitsoutstretchedclaws.Theymissedherbyinchesasshepassedbetweenitscolumnarlegsandheadedforthedoor.

The skaven shrieked in confusion.Ulrika threw the bar on the door and dashed into the next

chamber. The rat-ogre bellowed its rage behind her. She saw a surprised skaven in front of her.Desperationgaveherstrength.Shepuncheditonthesnout.Itshriekedinpainanddroppeditssword.Ulrikastampedonits lowerpaw,andwhile ithoppedawayreacheddowntopickupitsscimitar. Itwasn’tquitewhatshewasusedto,butshefeltbetterwithaweaponinherhand.

She looked around: to her left were the stairs down into the cellars where her people wereimprisoned,totherightwasalongcorridorfullofskaven.Nochoiceastodirectionthen.Withluckshemightbeabletofreeafewofherfolk.Failingthatanarrowcorridorwasamuchbetterplacetomakealaststandthananopenhallway.

Underthecircumstances,shehadnochoiceatall.“Whatwasthat?”Felixasked,hearingadistantroarthatwasalltoofamiliar.Itcamehotontheheelsofahigh-pitchedsquealofpain.

“Soundslikeoneofthosebigratmonsterstome,”saidGotrek.“Whateveritis,it’smine.”“CanSnorrihaveonetoo?”askedSnorriplaintively.“Youcanhavemine,”Felixsaid,pausingonthelowestplatformandgettingreadytofight.“Thankyou,youngFelix,”saidSnorri.Hesoundedgrateful.

Grey Seer Thanquol clutched his tender bits and cursed. That foolish breeder would pay for thisindignity,heswore.Shehaddaredtolayherfilthypawsonthegreatestofskavensorcerers.Worseyet, shehad interruptedhim just ashewas about tounleashhis spell, theone thatwouldmake theambushfoolproof,aspellofcompellingpotencythatwouldbindtheairshipuntilhereleasedit.

Nottoworry,therewasstilltime.Theelementofsurprisewasstillhis.Only at that moment, as the tears of agony cleared from his eyes, did he realise the full

outrageousfollyofhisunderlings.TheyhadmistakenhisscreamofpainforthesignaltoattackandhadcomesurgingoutofthebuildingstoattackGotrekGurnisson,FelixJaegerandtheotherSlayer.

Wouldtheseminionsneverlearntofolloworders?Thanquolwailed.Thenherealisedthattheworsthadcometopass.Seeingthehordeofratmensurgingtowardsthe

base of the tower, the cowardly dwarfs had already cast off. Even as he watched, the airship wasgainingheightabovethebattlefield.Perhapsitwouldescapebeforehecouldusehismagic.Itwasanawfulthought.

Thanquolsworethatthehumanbreederwasreally,reallygoingtopaywhenhegothispawsonher.Rightnow,though,hehadanotherproblem.Hehadtotakechargeofthisattackbeforeitbecameacompletefiasco.

***LurkSnitchtongue felt the airship suddenlygain altitude.Heheard the engines roar.His keen earscouldhearthedwarfishbellowofordersthroughthespeakingtubesintheship.Justforamoment,hewishedthatheunderstoodthatfoulgutturaltongue,butthenherealisedthathedidnothaveto.Itwasquiteobviouswhathadhappened.ThedwarfshadspottedtheambushGreySeerThanquolhadsetforthem,andwerebusyescapingfromit.Justonemoreproof,ifanywereneeded,ofThanquol’sgrossincompetence.

NotthatitwoulddoLurkmuchgood.Hewasstillstuckontheshipandhischanceofescapewasallbutgone.Hecouldheardwarfsclamberinguptheladderswithinthegasbagtoreachtheturretsmountedontopoftheairship.Itseemedthattheywerepreparingthemselvesforafight.

Unreasoning rage filled Lurk’s brain for a moment, threatening to swamp every rationalthought.Hewouldclamberupthereandtearthemlimbfromlimbandthenhewouldfeastontheirwarmbleedingflesh.Hewouldcaveintheirskullsthenscoopouttheirbrainstomakeatastymorseltosatisfyhishunger.Hewouldstickhissnoutintheirentrailsandsuckouttheirintestineswhiletheysquealedinpain.

Just as quickly, prudent skaven caution returned and resumed command. Perhaps it would bebettertoclamberupandseeiftherewasanywayhecouldtakeadvantageofthesituation.Certainlyitwaspointlessgoingdowninto thecupola.Therewere just toomanydwarfsdownthereevenforaskavenofLurk’ssurpassingmight.EveninhistormentedstatehecouldrememberonlytoowellhowdeadlyGotrekGurnisson’saxewas.

Quicklyhescurriedtotheladderandbegantopullhimselfupit.“Heretheycome,”shoutedGotrek.

There’snoneedtosoundsopleasedaboutit,thoughtFelix,buthekeptthethoughttohimself.Heknew he was soon going to need all his strength for fighting. A mass of tightly packed skavenwarriorshaderuptedfromthemanorhouse,swordsraised,mouthsfrothing.Itwas likesomethingoutofaparticularlynastynightmare.AnyhopesthathemighthavehadforUlrika’ssurvivalvanishedimmediately.Atleasthecouldavengeher,hethought.Afairnumberofskavenweregoingtodieinthenextfewminutes.

Thetowershivered.Fearingtheworst,Felixlookedup.Hisfearswereconfirmed.Theairship’senginesroaredtolifeasitslowlyreversedaway.AnythoughtofretreattotheSpiritofGrungnicouldbeabandoned.

Thanks,lads,thoughtFelix.JustwhatIneededtomakemydaycomplete.“Comeonupanddie!”Gotrekroared.“Snorri’s got a present for you,” yelled Snorri, brandishing his axe with one hand and his

hammerintheother.Felixsettledhimselfbehindoneofthesupportstruts,hopingtogetsomecoverfromanymissile

weaponstheskavenmightcaretodeploy.Themassofratmenwarriorshadreachedthefootofthetowernow.Someswarmeduptheladder,othersclamberedupthelegsofthestructureitself.Therewerefartoomanyofthemtocount,andashewatchedFelixsawthemonstrousformofarat-ogreemergefromthemanorhouse.Giventhenumberofclosecallshehadenduredwiththesemonstersinthepast,thesightdidnotreassurehim.

“Notgoingtobemuchofafight,this,”Gotrekcomplained.“Easy,”saidSnorri.Felixwishedhesharedtheconfidenceofthesetwomaniacs.Hisstomachchurnedwiththefear

healwaysfeltbeforeafight.Hewantednothingmorenowthantogettogripswiththefoe,toendthiswaiting.Partofhimevenconsideredjumpingdownintothemassofskavenbutheknewitwouldbesuicide.Thefallwastoolongandhewouldbesurroundedfromallsidesanddraggeddown.

Thefirstfurrysnoutpokeduptheladder.Gotreksplititwithonestrokeofhisaxe.Blackbloodsplatteredhisbandages.Theskavendroppeddown,knockingawaytheothersontheladder.ItstartedtodawnonFelix thatactually,as longas theystayedhere, theywouldhavequiteagoodchanceofsurviving.Nottoomanyoftheskavencouldgetatthematonce,andmostofthemwouldbeintheuncomfortable position of having to raise themselves onto the platform, leaving themselvesvulnerableforvitalmomentsastheydidso.

“Thisistooeasy,”Gotreksaid.“Snorrithinksweshouldclimbdownandstartkillingproperly,”saidSnorri.Don’t youdare, thoughtFelix, noticing that pink eyeswereglaring at himas a skavenpulled

itselfup themetal strut.He lashedout at it, but indesperation it leapt forward, fangsbared,goingrightforhisthroat.

In a heartbeat he was too busy trying to stay alive to think about the precariousness of theirsituation.VarekracedthroughthecorridorsoftheSpiritofGrungni.Swiftlyheenteredthehangardeck.The

gyrocopterswerewaiting.He clambered into a cockpit, andworked the crankof the ignition.Theengineroaredtolife.WindhitVarek’sfaceastherotorsbegantospin.Dwarfengineerswerealreadyopening the doors at the back of the gondola. One by one the gyrocopters rumbled forward anddroppedintothenight.Hewasgladtheyhadusedthetimeflyingover theChaosWastes tounpackandassemblethecratedflyingmachines.Itlookedliketheywouldallbeneedednow.Varekfeltasickfeeling in thepitofhis stomachashisowncopterdroppedaway from theairship, then the rotorsabovehimchurnedtheairandhebegantogainaltitude.Hereacheddownintothesatchelbesidehimandbegantofumbleforabomb.ThiswasalmostasexcitingasthetripintoKaragDum,hethought.Ulrika raced down the stairs.A skaven turned to look at her, snarling. She split its skullwith onestrokeofthestolensword.Itssurprisedcompaniongrowledather.Astrangeacridstinkfilledtheair.Shenoticedthatthecreaturewasventingsomesortofmuskfromglandsnearitstail.Shestruckoutatit.Sparksflashedasitsbladeparriedherown.Therewasascreechofmetalonmetalassheslidhersworddownitsblade.Theguardsofthetwoweaponsmet.Shetwistedhersword,disarmingherfoe.Itleaptback,screechingformercy.Shegaveitnone.

“What’sgoingonoutthere?”sheheardamightyvoicebellow.Shealmostcriedwithreliefatitsfamiliarity.

“Father—isthatyou?”Shewasalreadythrowingthedooropen.“Ulrika,”saidherfather,Ivan,reachingouttograspherinafiercehug.Hisbushybeardtickled

herface.Shesawadozenmoreraggedandbeatenlookingmeninthecellar.“What’sgoingon?”“Theairshiphascomeback.Theskavenaretryingtoambushit,”shegaspedout.“Howmanyoftheothersareleftalive?”“Idon’tknow.Ithinktherearemoreprisonersdownhereinthecellars.”Ivanreacheddownandpickeduptheswordofoneoftheskavenguards.Hetossedittohistall,

thin, cadaverous-looking lieutenant, Oleg, and then picked up the sword belonging to the otherskaven.Hisotherfavourite,Standa,short,burlyandhigh-cheekboned,lookeddisappointedthattherewasnobladeforhim.“Filthyweaponsbutthey’llhavetodo.”

“Whatshallwedo?”Ulrikaasked.“Freeasmanyprisonersaswecanfind.Killasmanyskavenaswecan.Usetheweaponstoarm

ourwarriors,thenfightorescapedependingonthesituation.”“That’saprettysketchyplan,”shesaid,smiling.“Sorry,daughter,butit’sthebestIcanmanageunderthecircumstances.”“It’llhavetodo.”

GreySeerThanquolgnawedonhislowerlipashewatchedhiswarriorsswarmingupthetower.Hecouldseethat thingswerenotgoingwell.Hisbraveskavenhadtheadvantageinnumbersbut theirfoes’positionwas a strongone.GotrekGurnissonheldhisgroundabove the ladder, andchoppedanythingthatcameathim.TheotherSlayerandFelixJaegerrovedaroundtheplatformkillinganyratmanwhoclimbedup theoutsideof the tower.Thanquolwas tornbetweenaidinghis troopsandpreventingtheSpiritofGrungnifromescaping.

Hestoodthereundecidedforamoment,andthendecidedtostickasclosetotheoriginalplanaspossible.Afterall, itwasamightyschemeofhisowndevisingand it shouldstillworkdespite theincompetenceofhislackeys.Heopenedhismouthandbegantochantthewordsofhisspell.

Thewindsofmagichowledinhisearsashedrewtheirenergiestohim.Purepleasuresurgedthroughhimasthepowerofthewarpstonefilledhim.Felixduckedablowfromaskavenswordandslashedattherat-manattackinghim.Theskavenleaptback,clawsscrabblingonthemetalsurfaceofthetowerasitrealisedhowclosetotheedgeitwas.Felix cursed. He had hoped that in its panic the creature would jump straight off.Well, he could

alwaysgiveitsomeassistance.Hesprangforward,barrellingintoitwithallhisweight.Theskavenwasmuchlighterthanheandwassenttumblingbackthroughtheair,overtheedgeoftheplatform.Andgoodriddance,thoughtFelixbeforehenoticedthatthethinghadmanagedtograbasupportstrutwithitstailandwasdanglingthereupsidedown.

SmilingnastilyFelixchoppedatthecreature’slonghairlesstail.Thetailpartedandtheskavenshriekedsomethinginitsincomprehensibletongueasitdroppedtoitsdoom.Felixhadtimeforonebriefsnarlofsatisfactionbefore thepitter-patterofpawsonmetalwarnedhim thatanotherskavenwasbehindhim.

Hewhirled,swordraisedtofacehisfoe.Lurk poked his snout up through the hatchway. He looked around. Dwarfs had taken up positionbehind the strange looking guns that filled the rotating turrets on top of the airship. He had seenenoughofClanSkryre’senginestoknowthatthosegunswouldprobablyriphimapartifhetriedtoattack them.While hewas amighty and invincible skavenwarrior therewas no sense in courtingneedlessdeath.Therewasnothingforhimuphere.

Therewasaroaringsoundfrombelowhim,andsuddenlysomesortofflyingmachineroseintoviewovertheairship.Lurkduckedasitwhizzeddirectlyabovehishead.Herewaspowerfulsorcery,he thought, lookingat thesmallvehicle. Ifonlyhehadknownwhat itwasearlier,maybehecouldhavestolenitandescaped.

“Oi!What’sthat?”heheardoneofthedwarfsshout.May theHornedRat consume their souls, the dwarfs had spottedhim!Heduckedbackout of

sight,scuttlingdowntheladder,wonderingwhattodonext.Perhapshecouldgoandhideamongthenacelles of gas that filled the balloon. No. Pointless. Sooner or later they would seek him out insufficientnumberstoensurehisdeath.WhilethiswouldalmostcertainlyfulfilGreySeerThanquol’sdictum that he create a distraction on the airship, itwould do him no goodwhatsoever. If hewasgoing to help Thanquol to victory he wanted to be alive to claim his share of the credit for thetriumph.

NotthatThanquolwouldallowanyonetoshareinthat,asmallsourpartofhisbrainquibbled.Hekeptdroppinguntilhereachedthebottomofthegasbag.Hesawadwarffacepeeringupat

himfromthehatchthatleddownintotheairshipproper.Whicheverwayhelookedtherewerefoes.Nothingforit,then,buttofight.Itwouldnothavebeenhisfirstchoiceofactionbutitlookedlikehehadrunoutofoptions.

He bared his fangs and reached out with his claws. The terrified dwarf ducked back into thegondola,pullingthehatchshutbehindhim.AsurgeofpainpassedthroughLurk.Herealisedhistailhadbeencaughtintheheavyhatch.

Someone,hedecided,wasgoingtopayforthat.Ulrika fumbled her way through the darkened cellars. The stink of skaven mingled with scentsfamiliarfromherchildhood,allbutoverlayingthesmelloftoomanypeoplecrampedintotoosmallaspace.Shewasgladthough.Itmeantalotofherfolkwerestillalive,morethanshehaddaredhopefor.Theywere locked inwith thevodkabarrels and in theholdingcellars fromwhich thehungryskavenhordehademptiedtheprovisions.

Shewished she had a lantern. Shewished she hadmoreweapons. She pushed those thoughtsaside.Itwaspointlesswishingforthingsshecouldnothave.Shewasgoingtohavetoworkwithwhatshedidhave.Shelistened.Eventhroughthetightlypackedearthshecouldhearthesoundsoffighting.Shecouldheartheroaroftherat-ogre,thesquealsofwoundedskavenandthesoundofsomethingelse.

It sounded like explosions.What was going on up there? Had the skaven sorcerer unleashed

some foul spell?Shegave thedoorof the last cellar apush andconfronted twocowering skaven.Theyobviouslyhadbeensethereforaspecialpurpose,andthatpurposewasimmediatelyobvious.OneofthemheldaknifeatthethroatofMaxSchreiber.Maxwasunconscious,hisbeautifulgoldenrobesrippedandfilthy.Theotherskaven,ahugeblack-furredmonsterrosetomeether.

“Preparetodie,foolishbreeder,”itchittered,inpoorlyaccentedReikspeil.Felixsawthatthingswerebeginningtoturnagainstthem.Despitetheirbesteffortsmoreandmoreskavenweregainingtheplatform.Slowedbytheirwounds,SnorriandGotrekwerenotfightingaswellastheynormallywould.Withonlythreeofthemtheycouldnotcoverallthepossiblemeansofgettingontotheplatform.Therewerefourpylons,oneateachcornerofthetower,andthecentralladder.While theymanaged toguard three, twowerealwaysclear for theskavenandasmoreandmoreofthemforcedtheirwayontotheplatform,theycouldnotevenholdthosesuccessfully.

Helookedaround.Woundedornot,theSlayerswerewreakingawfulhavoc.Theplatformfloorwasstickywithbloodandspilledentrails.Itwasincreasinglyhardtokeepafirmfootinginthemess.Hedreaded the fact that at anymomenthemight losehisbalance andgo slitheringover the edge.Hereandthere in thedimminglighthecouldseebodies thathadliterallybeenbrokenapartby theSlayers’axes.Bonesandlungsandinternalorganshadallfloppedintothelight.

In one swift flash of terrible insight it struck Felix that they were differently arranged fromhumanentrails,andthatitwasadreadfulthingthathehadseenenoughopenedcorpsestoknowthis.A flicker ofmovement sent his peripheral vision toGotrek. The Slayer stood on top of a pile ofmangledbodies.Heheldoneskavenintheairatarm’slength,throttlingit,whilehisaxedescribedahugehalf-circleholdingtheskaven’scomradesatbay.BlackskavenbloodsoiledGotrek’sbandages.Frothblewfromhislips.Hehowledlikeamadman,drowningoutthefrightenedchitteringwarcriesand the screams of his opponents. Nearby Snorri lashed out with his twoweapons, chopping andsmashinglikeadementedbutcherinahellishabattoir.Hesmiledashefought,obviouslyenjoyingthemayhemanduncaringastothenearnessofdeath.

The stink was abominable. There was the wet fur reek of skaven, the odd musky scent theyemittedwhen frightened, the smell of excrement and torn bodies and blood. At any other time, itwouldhavemadeFelixwanttobesickbutrightnowhefounditoddlyexhilarating.Asalwayswhendeath was close his senses were almost intolerably keen and he found himself savouring everymoment.

Amightyroaringfilledhisears.Hewassuddenlyawareofflashesfromthebaseofthetowerandthemovementoflargeominousshadowsabovehim.Heriskedaglanceupandsawagyrocopterhadbeencatapultedfromtheairshipandwassoaringabovethem.HehadabriefglimpseofthemadfaceofMalakaiMakaissonatitscontrols,astheinsaneengineerrainedbombsdownatthefootofthetower.Heheardtheanguished,fearfulscreamingoftheskavenmassedthere.Thetoweritselfshookasifkickedbyagiant,andFelixhadtofighttokeephisfootingamidthegore.

He offered up a prayer to Sigmar that the bombs didn’t send the whole towering structurecrashingtotheearth,buryingthemallinachaosofsmashedwoodenbeams.

DidMakaissonhaveanyideawhathewasdoing,Felixwondered?Didhecare?LookingdownFelixcouldseethathewascausingterriblecasualtiesamongtheskaven.Brokenratmanbodieswerehurledskywards.Someweretorncompletelytobitsbytheforceoftheexplosions.Otherslayontheground,limbless,bleedingandshrieking.Itwasawonderthattheskavencouldholdtheirgroundintheteethofsoferociousanassault.Felixrealisedthatmorebombswerecascadingdown, this timefromtheairship.Onehitthetowernearhim,fusespluttering.Forahorriblemoment,hefeltthathistimehadcome,thathewasabouttobeblownintoathousandtinyfragmentsofflesh.Hefrozeonthespotforaninstantbutthencourageandmobilityreturnedandhekickedthebombofftheplatform.

Hesawitdisappear,sparks trailingfromits flickeringfuse, into thecrowdbelow.Aheartbeatlateraterribleexplosionblastedthroughtheskaven.

Thatwastooclose,thoughtFelix.Heshookhisfistintheairandshouted,“Watchwhatyou’redoing,youstupidbastard!”

Itwasalltoomuchfortheskavendownbelow.Theyscatteredinalldirections,unabletofacethedeathcrashingdownonthemfromaboveanymore.AglowfromthedoorofthemansionattractedFelix’sattention.Hesawafamiliarformilluminatedbyit.

Astonishment almost paralysed him. He recognised the skaven sorcerer. It was Grey SeerThanquol,whohadledtheattackonNuln,andwhomFelixhadlastseenfleeingfromtheballroomoftheElectorCountess’palace.

Howhadhegothere,Felixwondered?Hadthecreaturecomeallthiswaysimplytogetrevenge?WasitpossiblethatthegreyseerhadbeenbehindtheattackontheLonelyTower?

Fromtheswirlingenergyaroundthefigurehecouldtellthatthegreyseerwasabouttocastaspell.

Whatnewmadnesswasthis?Lurk stood on the edge of the cupola. Thewhole hellish scenewas visible below, illuminated byflashes of light from the bombs. He saw his luckless kin torn apart by the violent blasts and feltthoroughlyandprofoundlygladthathewasnotdowntherewiththem.Thereliefevaporatedwhenherealised theprecariousnessofhisownposition. Ifhedidnotgetoff theairship soonhewouldbecaughtby thedwarfsandoverwhelmedby their sheernumbers.Heneeded togetawaynowbuthecouldseenowaytodoit.

Exceptone.Theairshipwasmovingclosetothetoweragain.Itwasjustpossiblethathecouldleapfromthetopofthecupolaandlandonthetower.Itwasdangerous,andifhemis-timedhisleapormissedhisfootinghewouldbesentplungingtohisdoom.Ontheotherhand,ifhestayedherehisdeathwascertain,andanychancewasbetterthannochanceatall.

Lurk screwed his courage to the sticking point. He felt his muscles tense, his heart rateaccelerate,hismuskglandstighten.

Anysecondnowhewasgoingtodoit.Ulrikaduckedbelowtheblack-furredskaven’sswipeandslashedback.Thecreatureboundedawayfrom her counter-blow and bumped into the skaven with its blade at Schreiber ’s neck, sending itflying.Ulrikarealisedthattheratmanprobablyhadorderstokillthewizardatthefirstsignofanytrouble. Itwouldmake sense.Onhisown, a consciousSchreiber couldwreakasmuchhavoc as atroopofcavalry.Wizardshadthatkindofpower.

Sherealisedthatshewouldhavetodoherbesttosavehislife,andquickly.Shesprangforwardwhile theskavenwerestillentangled,andsplit theskullof thehugeblackbeastwithonepowerfulstroke.Itscorpsefloppedtotheearth, trappingitssmallerfellow.Takingadvantageofthefact,sheburied her sword in the still living skaven’s throat and then kicked it a couple of times for goodmeasure.

After ensuring both were dead, she turned to Schreiber. He was bruised and his hair andeyebrowslookedsingedbutaquickchecktoldherhisheartwasstillbeating,afactforwhichshewasprofoundly thankful.Gentlysheshookhim,knowing itwas risky to treatan injuredman insuchaway, and yet needing him to be awake and helping her. He groaned and mumbled and his eyesflickeredopen.Slowlyshesawconsciousnessreturn.Hesmiledthroughbruisedlips.

“Iamtoosoretobedead,”hesaideventually.“It’spleasanttoreentertheworldofthelivingandbegreetedbysuchabeautifulface.”

“There’snotimeforflattery,MaxSchreiber.Theskavenarestillhereandupstairsabattlerages.

Weneedyourhelp.”“Tisalwaystheway,”hegrumbled,pullinghimselfslowlyandpainfullytohisfeet.Hebrushed

himself down, disgusted at seeing how soiled his golden robes were. “No one wants to know awizard…untiltheyhaveaproblem.Thenit’sdifferent.”

“HerrSchreiber,haveyourwoundsrenderedyouinsane?”“No,Ulrika.I’mjustattemptingtolightenthesituationwithajoke.You’realovelywoman,but

ifImaysaysoyoursenseofhumourisnotyourstrongpoint.”“Justgetonwithit,Max.”“Andthankyouforsavingme.Ioweyouforit.”“Youowemenothing.Justgetoutthereandstartcastingspells—likeyoudidtheothernight.”He nodded and then a sudden serious expression flashed across his face. “The grey seer is

gatheringitspowers,andtheyareimmense.Ihaveneverfelt thewindsofmagicswirlandflowsoturbulently.Iwonderwhatnewevilitisupto.”GreySeerThanquolfeltthepowersurgingwithinhim.Itwaslikeasnakeinhisbelly,inhischest,fighting to get out. He had consumed an enormous amount of warpstone, enough to have causedlesser skavenmages toexplodeordevolve intoprimordialoozebuthewasThanquol.Hewas thegreatestofthegreyseers,themightiestofmages,thesupremesorcereroftheskavenpeople.Nothingwasbeyondhispowers.Nothing.

Controlyourself,hethought.Think.Think.Heknewonly toowell thefeelingofextremeself-confidence that filled the habitualwarpstoneuser at suchmoments as this. Indeed, he believed thatmost skaven sorcerers hadmoments of utter grandiositymere heartbeats before thewarpstone ledthemtotheirfinaldoom.Hewasnotgoingtobeoneofthem.Itwastruethatlikeallgreyseers,hehadahealthyregardforhisownabilitiesbuthewasnotgoingtoallowthepotentrawChaosstufftodrownouthissenseofself-preservation.Asensethatwas,at thisverymoment,assertingitselfandlettinghimknowthatheneededtocastthespellandventthepowernow,beforeitconsumedhim.Itwasdifficulttodosowithsomuchrawsorcerousenergycoursingthroughhisveinsandtheecstasyofunlimitedpowerbubblinginhisbrain,butheknewthathemustdoitorhisdoomwascertain.

Slowlyheforcedhimselftorecitethewordsofthepotentincantationhehaddevised.Onebyonehereconstructedtheintricatemazeofpawgesturesthatwouldfocusthemagic.Ashemovedhisarm,streamers of pure magical energy followed his talons, as if he were slashing holes in the verysubstanceofreality,whichinaway,hesupposed,hewas.Hemovedhisarmsinever-widergestures;heshriekedthepotentsyllablesoftheincantationeverlouder.Ashedidso,animbusoflightplayedroundhisbody.Rawmagicalenergybegantoleakfromhiseyes,hissnout,hismuzzleandthelowerextremitiesofhisbody.Hefeltthepowerroilingbackandforthinhisgutlikeacidandknewthathewasinvolvedinaraceagainsttime,thatifhedidnotcompletehisspellsoon,thepowerwouldriphimapart.Thepartofhismindthatwasnotcaughtupinthecomplexmysticgeometryofthespellsworethatnever,everagainwouldheconsumesomuchwarpstone.

He rushed through the lastpotent syllablesof the incantationandmade the finalpawgestures.Slowly at first awrithingmassof green tendrils extended themselves fromhisbody.Thenonebyone,thefilamentsreachedoutandup,seekingtheairship.Thanquolfelthiswholebodytinglewithvibrantenergyastheydidso.Hisfurstoodonendandhis tailwasfullyextended.Hiswholebodywasuncannilysensitive.Thefaintestkissofaironhisfurfeltlikesomeonewasrubbinghimdownwithawirebrush.Itwaspainfulandyetnotunpleasant.Heforcedhimselftoconcentrateoncemore,toseeeachtentacleofenergyasanextensionofhimself,athingthathecouldcontrol,thathecouldfeelthroughasifitwerehispawtips.

He extended theweb of his power.The spellwas a giant clawwithwhich he could grasp the

airship and immobilise it.Now those foolish dwarfswould learn the folly of opposingGreySeerThanquol,mightiestofmages,masterofallmagics.Hewouldtaketheirpunyairshipandcrushit.Hewouldsmashittopiecesandcastittoearth.Hewould…

No!Whatwashethinking?Thatwasthewarpstonedustspeaking.Hewouldmerelyimmobilisetheairshipandlethisminionstakeit.Yes.Thatwasit.Concentrate,hetoldhimself.Don’tlosesightofthegoalnowthatitisalmostwithinyourgrasp.

Hisquestingfingersofpowertouchedtheairship’scupola.Thanquolshrieked.Hefeltasifhehadbeenscorched.Whatwickednesswasthis?Whatevilsorcerywasatworkhere?Hewatchedthestreamersofgreenlightretreatfromtheairshipathiscommand.Ofcourse,theairshipwasprotectedagainstChaosmagic.ItneededtohavebeensinceithadflownacrosstheWastes.GingerlyThanquolsentthestreamersflickeringbackagain.Heknewhehadtime.Whatseemedlikeminutestohiminhisexalted state were mere heartbeats to others. His questing tendrils played over the cupola andretreated.Itwasnousetryingtograsptheairshipthere.Itwaswellprotected.Heextendedhisreachtothegasbag.Success! Itwasnotshielded.No!Correction.Partsof itwere.Thebits thatheld turrets.Suddenly as he ran his power over the lower part of the gasbag he sensed a familiar, and yetsomehow subtly changed presence. Itwas Lurk!He detached one streamer of energy to grasp hiswaywardminion, catchinghim inmid-leap.The rest he continued toweave around the unshieldedpartsofthegasbag,anchoringtheairshipinplace.

No!Whatwashappening!Whywashestartingtorisefromtheground!Thiswasnotsupposedto…Wait! He had it. Thanquol alone could not anchor the airship. His weight was insubstantialcomparedtothemassoftheflyingship.Amoment’sconsiderationtoldhimexactlywhatheneededtodotobindhimselftotheearth.

Asquickas thoughthecreatedmorestreamersofwarpstoneenergyandsent themburrowingdeep into theground,questingdownwards like the rootsof somesorcerously swiftgrowingplant.Nowhewaslockedinplace.Nowhehadtheleveragetopithimselfagainsttheairship’sengines.Heexertedhispoweroncemore.

Instantly he felt himself being drawn back to earth again, and the airshipwith him. Thiswasmorelikeit.Hewasagiant!Hewasagod!WithhismagichewasgoingtopulltheSpiritofGrungnirightoutofthesky.Hehadithookedlikeafishonaline,andnowallheneededtodowasreelitin.Therewasnothinganyofthosepitifulfoolscoulddotostophim.

Extendinghispowertothefullest,heslowlybutsurelybegantopulltheairshiptotheground.Felix watched in astonishment as a mass of shimmering streamers of light surged up from thedoorway of the mansion, curling round the tower like serpents until eventually they engulfed theairship.Foramoment,thefightingstoppedandalleyesweredrawnupwardstowatchthesorcerousspectacle.Foraninstantthelightstouchedthecupolaandwithdrew,butonlyforamomentweretheythwarted.Almostimmediatelytheyencircledthegasbagoftheballoon.Felixcouldseetheskinofitssurface flex and hewonderedwhether the skaven intended to rip the bag asunder and destroy theairship.

Seconds later itbecameapparent that thiswasnot thegreyseer ’splan.Felix’smouthgapedinastonishmentasslowlybutsurely theSpiritofGrungniwasdrawndownwards towards theground.Theskavenhadceasedtoretreat,soawe-strickenweretheybythisdisplayofthegreyseer ’spowers.Itlookedalltoopossiblethattheairshipwasgoingtobecaptured.

Itseemedasiftheairship,andwithittheproceedsoftheexpeditiontoKaragDum,wasdoomed.

THREE

BATTLE!UlrikaandMaxSchreiberracedthroughthecellars.Allaroundherwerethefreedprisoners.Somewere armed with weapons taken from dead skaven guards, others were arming themselves withcudgelsmadefrombrokenchairs,oldtoolsandkitchenknives.Ulrikawasnotreassured.

“Howmany?”sheaskedherfather.“Aboutthirtywhocanfight.Aboutfiftyalltold.”“Sofew?”“Sofew.”“Doyouthinkourpatrolswillreturnintime?”“Wemustnotcountonit.”“Whatisgoingonabove?”“YouwouldknowbetterthanI,daughter.Ihavebeendownhereallthistime.”“Mighty magics are being unleashed,” Max Schreiber said. “I fear the skaven are going to

capturetheairship.Isuspectthatmayhavebeentheirplanallalong.”“Theymustbestopped.”“How?Wecouldnotstopthemlastnightwhenweheldthewallsandhadahundredarmedmen.

Howcanwedosonow?”“Wemustfindaway,daughter.”MaxSchreibersmiled.“Wehaveanadvantagenowthatwedidnothavelastnight.”“Andwhat’sthat?”askedUlrika.“Theywillnotbeexpectingus.”“ByTaal,MaxSchreiber,youhaveagiftforlookingonthebrightside,”boomedIvan.“Let’sgoupandseewhatwecando.Atleastintheconfusiontheremaybeachancetoescape.”“Therewill be no escape,MaxSchreiber.This ismy ancestral home. Iwill not abandon it to

somestinking,gods-poxedratmen.”“Icanseewhyyougetonsowellwiththedwarfs,”saidMaxSchreiber.“You’reallasstubborn

ashell.”Felix Jaegerwatched in aweas thegrey seerdragged theSpiritofGrungniearthwards.One smallskavenwasengagedinacontestofstrengthwithanenormousvesselandhewaswinning.Thedwarfswerenotgoing tobebeatenquietly though.Theenginesof the airship roaredandFelix could tellfrom the angle of the fins that whoever was at the controls was trying to get the ship up. Thestreamersofenergyleftaglitteringafter-imageonhisfieldofvision.Itwasanincredibledisplayofmagicalpower,oneofthegreatesthehadeverseen.

“Bestgetdownthereandkillthatskavenmagician,”saidGotrek.“Agoodplan,”saidSnorri.Anidioticplan,Felixthought.Allwehavetodoisfightourwaythroughasmallskavenarmy

andconfrontasorcererwho iscapableofpluckinganairship from thesky.On theotherhand,hecouldthinkofnothingbetterhimself.Theairshiprepresentedtheirbesthopeofescapeandifitwerecapturedordestroyed,theyweredoomed.

“Let’sgetonwithitthen,”Felixsaidwithnogreatenthusiasm.Nowisthemomentofmytriumph,thoughtGreySeerThanquol.Nowallskavenwillbowbeforemy

genius. Now the Council of Thirteen must recognise my accomplishments. He felt capable ofreachingupandpullingthemoonsfromtheskyandthestarsfromtheheavens.Cometothinkofit,thatmightnotbeabadidea.Morrslieb,thelessermoon,wassaidtobemadeofagiganticchunkofwarpstone.Ifhecouldgraspit,then…

No. Best stick to the matter at hand. First he would capture the airship then he would seizeMorrslieb.Andifhecouldnotreachitwithhisspellsperhapshecouldflythereintheairship.Fullyformed,aplanofawfulmajestyappearedinThanquol’smind.Hecouldusetheairshiptoflytothemoonandmineallthewarpstonehewouldeverneed.Itwouldbeanachievementunsurpassedinalltheannalsofskavendom,andsurelyhisrewardmustbeaplaceattheCounciltable.Attheveryleast.PerhapsthewholeCouncilwouldbowbeforehim,andrecognisehimasthegreatestofallservantsoftheHornedRat.Suchwasthemagnificenceofhisvisionthatforamoment,Thanquolwaslostincontemplation.Onlywhenhefeltthestrandsofhispowerslippingawaywashedrawnbacktorealitybytherealisationthatfirsthewouldhavetolandhisfishbeforeanyofitwouldbepossible.Hethrewhimselfbackintothestrugglewithrenewedferocity.Lurkwasnothappy.Inmid-leaphehadbeencaughtbyoneof thosehugestreamersofenergyandtossedallovertheskyinaderangedfrenzyofmovement.Hehadlongknownhowpotentthegreyseerwas but never till now had he shown such full evidence of hismight.Was this some sort ofrevengebyGreySeerThanquolforhisdisloyalthoughts?HadThanquolbeenawareofLurk’sideasconcerninghimallalong?DidheplantoendLurk’stormentbydashinghimintotheground?

“No-no,master!”hegibbered.“Spareyourloyalestofservants.Iwillserveyoufaithfullyallofmydays.Blastthoseotherfoulvermin.Theyhateyou.Idonot.Ihavealwaysdonemybestforyou!”

IfThanquolheardLurk’searnestprayers,therewasnosign.Filledwithfear,Lurkwatchedthegroundrisetomeethim.Ulrikaputherswordthroughthebackoftheskavencoweringinthehall,andwenttothewindowtolook at the source of the eerie glow.Shehadnever seen anything like it.Thehorn-headed skavenmage floated in the air about twenty strides above the ground. It was anchored to the earth byhundredsofstreamersoflight,andwithhundredsofothersitwasdrawingthestrainingairshipdown.

Beneathit,hundredsofskavenmuzzlespointedat thesky.Theystoodfrozeninawe,watchingtheirmasteratwork.BesidehersheheardMaxSchreibermutter,“BySigmar,howdoesitcontainallthatpowerandnotexplode?Itmustbeconsumingpurewarpstone,andyetitstillhasnotdied.”

“What?”sheasked.“ThatthingoutthereisfilledwiththerawstuffofChaos.Itisusingittopoweritsspell.Itshould

notbepossibleforanymortalthingtobedoingthisbutitis.Ihavenoideahow.”“Perhapsitwouldbebetterifyouappliedyourmindtotheideaofkillingit,”Ulrikasuggested.“IamnotsureIhavethestrength.”“Thenthingsdonotlookgood.”“Youhaveagiftforunderstatement,mydear.”

***FelixwatchedGotrekdescendtheladder.WithonearmtheSlayerheldtherungs,withtheotherhewielded his axe like a club, dropping it down on the skulls of any skaven below him. By sheerferocity Gotrek managed to reach the bottom and clear a space around the base of the ladder.MomentslaterSnorrijoinedhim.Seeingnootheroption,Felixbeganhisowndescent.

Aroarfromabovehimtoldhimthatthegyrocopterhadreturnedforanotherpass.Felixwatchedabombhurtletowardsthehoveringgreyseer.Thefusetiming,alwaysatrickythingatbest,wasnotgood,andthebombwenthurtlingpastThanquoltoexplodeamidsttheskaven.Oncemoreawareoftheir peril, they tried frantically to hurl themselves aside only to be blown asunder by the dwarf

explosive.Felix shuddered, thinking just howeasy itwouldbe for oneof those bombs to go astray and

catchhimself,GotrekandSnorriintheblast.Itdidnotbearthinkingabout.Insteadhethrewhimselfforward hacking desperately to right and left, trying his best to smash a path through themassedranksofskaventotheplacewhereGreySeerThanquolhovered.Althoughwhathewasgoingtodowhenhegotthereeludedhim.GreySeerThanquolopenedhismouthandroaredwithonlyslightlycrazedlaughter.Hissenseshadexpandedwithhispower.Hesawhimselfasatoweringgiantlookingdownontheinsectsbelowhim.His spirit formwas as large as the airship with which he grappled. He was a being of awesomeproportions.Surely,he thought, thismustbehowtheHornedRatfeltwhenhegazeddowninto theworldofmortals.Perhapsitwasanomen,aharbingerofthingstocome.PerhapstherewouldbenolimitstoThanquol’sdestiny.Perhapshecouldstridewherenoskavenhadstrodebeforeandscaletheverypeaksofgodhood.Certainlyatthismoment,withthewarpstonecoursingthroughhisveins,itallseemedpossible.Therewasnothinghecouldnotdo.

Hewasthemasterofthissituationnow.Nothingwasgoingtostophim.Notevenhisaccursednemesis, Gotrek Gurnisson, or his devious henchman, Felix Jaeger. Finally after all these longmonthsofefforthewasgoingtoachievecompletevictoryoverthem.Howsweetthatfeelingwas!

Wait!Whatwasthat?Heglanceddownandsawthegyrocopterflashpast.Henoticedthebombthat justmissedhimandexplodedamonghis troops,sendingtheirsoulsspirallingupwards to jointheHornedRat.Howdare theyattack theHornedRat’s chosenemissaryonearth?Hewould showthem.Quickasthoughthereachedoutwithhistentaclesofpowerandswattedthegyrocopterlikeamanmightswatafly.Unfortunatelyhewas.atadtooslowtocatchthefastmovingcraftandhisblowmissed.

Onlyincidentallydidhebecomeawareofsomethingstickingtooneofhistentacles.Ofcourse.Itwasthatrascal,Lurk.Briefly,Thanquolconsideredsmashinghiserranthenchmanintothegroundas a punishment for his failures but then, through the psychic link that allowed him to perceivethrough his energy streams, he became aware of the gratifying way Lurk was swearing eternalobediencetohim,andmore,hewassuddenlyawareofthechangesthathadovertakenhisminion,ofthewarpstonecoursingthroughhisbody,andthewayithadbeenaltered.Thiswassomethingworthinvestigating. He took a moment to place Lurk not too gently on the ground and returned to hiseffortstoswatthegyrocopter.

Itprovedfrustratinglyelusive.Still,hethought,thesheersatisfactionofsmashingitwouldbeitsownreward.Felixwatchedinhorrorasstreamersoflightimpactedonthegyrocopter.Thesmallflyingmachinebegantobreakup,itspartstumblingheadlongthroughtheair,tosmashintothegroundkillingmoreskaven.Ahugecloudofsteamandsmokeeruptedfromthebrokenvehicle’sengine.Itwasfollowedbyamassiveexplosion,theblastofwhichsenthimtumblingheadlong.Heguessedthatthestockofbombsonthegyrocopterhadjustgoneoff.Skavenscreamstoldhimthedwarfpilotwasnottheonlycasualty.

Overheadtheothergyrocoptersflashed.Onedown,threetogo,thoughtFelix.“Whatdowedo?”Ulrikaasked.“You’rethemagician.Thisisyourfield.”

“Thereisnowayanymortalformcancontainthatamountofpowerforanygreatlengthoftime.It’spossiblethatitsownerwillbeconsumedbyit.It’salsopossiblethatthepowercontainedwithinwhateverit isheiseatingwillbeexhausted,andhewill losehisstrength.IfheweakensImightbeabletodisrupthisspell.Otherthanthat…”

“Youaresayingthatweshoulddonothing?”

“Iamsaying thatweshouldwait,Ulrika.There isnothing tobegainedbyattacking the thingheadlong.Lookatthewayitsmashedthatgyrocopter.Itcouldeasilydothesametous.”Ah, that was good, thought Grey Seer Thanquol. He felt a monstrous surge of pleasure fromdestroyingthatdwarfflyerevenatthecostofsomedozensofhisfollowers’lives.Theywereafterallexpendable.Mostskavenwere.Hewassimplygladhewasn’toneofthem.

He shook his head as a new problem struck him.During themoments that he had chased theflyer, he had let go of theSpiritofGrungni. Itwas heading skyward oncemore at a great rate ofknots.Thanquolreachedoutwithhistentaclesofpower,determinedthathewouldsoonputastoptothat.

No soonerhadhegrasped theairshiponcemore thanhebecameawareof another challenge.Gotrek Gurnisson, Felix Jaeger and that other accursed Slayer were on the ground and movingtowardshim.Of course, hewas in the air above thembut even sohewas a littleworried. Just theproximityoftheSlayerwasenoughtogetonThanquol’ssensitivenerves.Hehatedthatvilecreaturewithapassion.

Nowhehadthemeanstoendthatthreatonceandforall.Whathecoulddowiththegyrocopterhe could surely do to one solitary Slayer. Grinning daemonically, he prepared to smash GotrekGurnissonintothedirt.Felixwatchedthewaveofpowercometowardsthem.Dozensofstreamersofgreenishenergyracedforwardlikethetide,smashingasidethescreamingskavenbetweenGotrekandThanquol.Felixhadnodoubtwhatsoeverwhatwouldhappenwhenthatenergyreachedthem,itwasgoingtobetheendofhim.He almost closed his eyes, knowing that his doomwasmoments away but at the last second,determinedtoseethedeaththatwashis,heforcedhimselftowatch.Now,thoughtGreySeerThanquol,bringinghispowerstobearonGotrekGurnisson.Nowyoudie!FelixsawtheleadingstreamersreachGotrek.AstheydidsotheSlayerbroughthisaxeroundinagreat arc.The runes on its edges blazed ever brighterwhere they came into contactwith the greyseer ’sspell.Asmellofozonefilledtheair.Thestreamersflewapartinacloudofsparks,havingmetwith an ancientmagic stronger than they. Felix offered up a prayer to Sigmar andwhatever othergodsmight be listening.The remaining streamerswithdrew, coiling upwards andbackwards awayfromGotrek likeacobraabout to strike.Felixknew theSlayerhadbought themonlyamoment’srespite.

***Thanquolfeltasifhisfingertipswereonfire.Ofcourse,itwasonlythedestructionofhisspellthathewas sensing but the sensationwas similar. He cursed the dwarf. Hemight have guessed that itwould not have been so easy to effect his doom. Still, perhaps if the Slayerwas invulnerable, hishenchmanwouldnotprovetobe.HecouldatleastdestroyFelixJaeger.FelixsawthestreamersoflightpartandbegintoflowaroundGotrek.Tohishorrorherealisedthattheywereaimedathim,andtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.Theskavensorcererobviouslyintendedtoseehimdead.Thespellrushedonwards,adozentendrilsmovingtotherightandleftofGotrek,surgingdirectlytowardsFelix.Atleast,thoughtFelix,theskavenmagewaskillingmoreofhisownwarriors.Thewaytheyfelltobitsastheenergyscythedthroughthemdidnotbodewellforhisownfate.Ulrikawatchedwhatwashappeningwithher heart in hermouth.She sawGotrek repulse thegreyseer ’sattackandforamomentthoughtitmightbeenough.ThenshesawthatThanquolintendedtoattackFelix.

“Can’tyoudosomething?”sheaskedMaxSchreiber.“InamomentIwilltryacounterspell.IthinkIunderstandwhatthegreyseerisdoingnowandI

mightbeabletopickaparttheweaveofit.”“Felixdoesn’thaveamoment,”Ulrikasaid,knowingitwasalreadytoolate.

Felixsteeledhimselftomeetdeath.Thiswasnotquitethewayheexpecteditbutthenitwassaidthatdeathnevercamebytherouteyouthoughtitwould.Hebracedhimself,preparinghismusclesforonelastfutileleaptosafety.Hedoubtedtherewasanywayhecouldavoidthespell.Itwasallover.Thetideofdazzlinglighthurtledtowardshim.Hefoughtdowntheurgetoscream.Thiswasmorelikeit,thoughtGreySeerThanquol,certainthatthistimeatleasthewasabouttokilloneofhisswornenemies.ThatwouldteachFelixJaegertoopposethemightofThanquol.ButjustbeforehecouldcrushJaegerliketheinsecthewas,theSlayerstruckoncemore,lashingoutquickerthantheeyecouldfollow,firsttohisleft,thentohisright,severingtheenergybandswiththatawfulaxe.Thanquolshriekedwithpain.Itwaslikehavinghisowntailcutoff.

Worseyet,hefeltthewarpstone-inducedpowerwithinhimstarttostutterandfade.Notnow,hethought.No.Notnow.Notwithtriumphsoclose.Butunfortunately,itwasso.Theenergywasalreadystartingtodrainoutofhim.Itlookedasiftheairshipwasgoingtoescape.

Wellatleast,hethought,myminionswilldestroythoseupstarts,JaegerandGurnisson.Evenashethoughtitapeculiarsinkingsensationstruckhim.Whyisthegroundcomingcloser,hewondered?“Now,”UlrikaheardMaxSchreibermutter,andthenthemagebegantomovehishandsandincantinsome language she did not understand.As shewatched a complex structure of light began to takeshapeinthespaceinfrontofthemagician,andthenwithagestureofhishandhesentitspinningouttowards thegrey seer.When it struckThanquol theglowaround the skaven sorcerer fadedandhewenttumblingheadlongtotheearth.

“Nowwould be a good time to attack,”Max suggested to her. She did not need to be told asecondtime.

“Let’sgo!”sheshoutedandracedoutofthemansion,plungingintothesurprisedskavenfrombehind.Roaringwithbattle-lusttheKislevitesurvivorsfollowedher.Felixwatchedinsurpriseastheglowfadedaroundthegreyseerandhebegantosinktotheearth.Heduckedtheswingofaskavenwarriorandgrittedhisteethasheparriedasecondone.Theshockoftheimpactpasseduphisarm.Hebracedhimselfandslasheddownwardscleavingtheskaven’sskullintwo,thenwhirledtostriketheother,slashingitacrossthethroat.AheadofhimGotrekandSnorrihackedabloodypathtowardstheskavenmage.Theyweredeterminedthatnothingwasgoingtostopthemthistime.Bombscontinuedtoraindownfromabove,droppedbythenowfreedairshipandthecirclinggyrocopters.

Everytimeabombhit thegroundFelixflinched.Hehalfexpectedoneof themtogooffnearhim,andforhisbodytobetornapart.Heheardavoiceshoutingatthestupiddwarfstostopbombingthem,andhewassurprisedtodiscoverthatitwashisown.Hehopedthatsometimesoonsomebodyuptherewouldrealisewhatwashappeningonthegroundandceasethebarrage.FelixdoubtedthatGotrek’s heroic doom encompassed being torn limb from limb by his comrades’ explosives. StillFelixhadseenworseandstupiderthingshappeninbattle,andrightnow,allwaschaosroundaboutthem.

SlashingaroundhimwithrenewedvigourFelixhackedhiswaythroughtheskavenforce.It justwasn’t fair, thoughtGreySeerThanquol. Justwhenvictorywaswithinhisgrasp ithadbeensnatchedawaybytheincompetenceofhislackeys,andtheinferiorqualityofwarpstonesenttohimbythosecretinsbackinSkavenblight.Whywashedoomedtobeconstantlythwartedinthismanner?Hewasagoodandfaithfulservanttotheskavencause.HewasdevoutinhisprayerstotheHornedRat.Heaskedsolittle.Whatwastheproblem?

He lay exhausted on the ground, prostrated by the sudden failure of his warpstone-induced

power, and by the unweaving of his spell. Slowly but surely, the full implications of this sunk in.Somewhere out therewas amage potent enough to undo hiswork, amagewhowas undoubtedlyfreshandnotdrainedofenergybyhisselflesseffortstoprotecthisungratefulminions,amagewhoevennowmightbeplanningthedestructionofThanquolwhilehewasvulnerable.ThethoughtmadeThanquol’sglandstightenwiththeurgetosquirtthemuskoffear.ThiswasnotafittingrewardforhislongservicetotheHornedRatandtheCouncilofThirteen,hedecided.

Suddenlyhebecameawareofanotherandevenmoreterrifyingthreat.Offtohisright,hecouldhear thebestialbellowingofGotrekGurnisson,as theSlayer smashedhisway through theskaventroops. Doubtless the dwarf had nothing more in his tiny mind than an unjustifiable desire toexterminateThanquoland rob theworldofhisgenius.Anddoubtless thedwarf’shenchman,FelixJaeger,wouldbetheretogloatatThanquol’sdemise.

Whatwashetodo?Asifhedidnothaveenoughreasonstofocushismindondeparture,Thanquolheardthesounds

of human war-cries from behind him. Where had these new forces come from? Had humanreinforcementsarrivedduringthefight?Wasthissomeworkoftheenemymage?Itmatterednot.

Withtheterrifyingonslaughtofbombsfromabove,thebloodcurdlingprospectofcombatwithGotrekGurnissontothefore,andtheattackofthismassivenewforcefrombehind,Thanquolcouldseeonlyoneoptionopentohim.Hewouldheroicallyeludecapturebythisoverwhelmingforceofenemies,andreturntoexacthisrevengeanotherday.

Musteringthelastremnantsofhispowers,hemutteredthewordsofthespellofescape.Itwouldonlycarryhimafewhundredstridesoutofthefraybutthiswouldbeenough.Fromtherehewouldbeginhistacticalwithdrawal.“Wherehas thataccursedmagegot to?”FelixheardGotrekgrowl.Felixhadnoanswer.Theyhadreached thespotwherehewouldhaveswornhehadseen thegreyseer fall,and therewasnothingthere except a faint brimstone aroma in the air. Unreasonably annoyed, Gotrek slaughtered twoskavensimultaneouslywithastrokeofhisaxeandturnedaroundtolookatthemonstrousformoftherat-ogreasitapproached.

“Mine!”heroared.“Snorri’s!”shoutedSnorri.“Raceyouforit,”answeredGotrekandrushedforward.Getonwithit,thoughtFelixashelookedaroundhim.Therewasasuddenlullinthebattle.The

strangestinkthathehadcometoassociatewithfrightenedskavenattackedhisnostrils.Hesupposedhe could not blame them. Their leader had vanished. They were being ripped apart by bombs,assaultedbytwoofthemostviciousSlayersintheworld,andambushedfrombehindsimultaneously.Felixcouldunderstandtheirdemoralisation.Hedoubtedthatanyhumanforcewouldbelessafraid.

Still that didnotmean that theperil hadpassed.The skaven stillmassivelyoutnumbered theirfoes,andifgiventimetorealiseit,theywouldreturntothefrayandquitepossiblywin.Rightnowwasthemomenttoseizetheadvantageandhopefullyturnthetideofbattle.

Helookedaroundandsawtherat-ogreflankedononesidebyGotrekandtheotherbySnorrigodownunderablizzardofblows.Ittoppledlikeafallingoak.Ifthesightofthatdidnothelpthemroutthe skaven force, nothing would. Shouting a battle-cry, he charged forward. Gotrek and Snorriaccompaniedhim.

Suddenly from up ahead he thought he heard the sound of humanwar-cries, of one familiarvoiceshoutingordersandencouragementtothetroops.Hisheartleapt.Surelyhewashallucinating.Therewasonlyonewaytofindout.Lurkstoppedgnawingthefleshofthedeadskaven.Hishungermomentarilyassuaged,hecouldgive

his attention back tomatters at hand.Behind him he could hear the squeal of terrified skaven, thetriumphant shoutsof thehumans,and theberserker roarsofdwarfSlayers.Hecould tell thebattlewaslost.Itwasascertainastheacheinhisbonesfromhittingtheground.Ofcourse,heknewthatifitwerenotforthepainofhisinjuries,hecouldturnthetideofbattlebyhisintervention.Unfortunatelyhisbruises,andcouldthatpossiblybeasprainedankle,preventedit.

Fromoutof thegloom,beamsofgolden lightscythed into theskaven,slashing themdown.Itlookedliketheirenemieshadsorcerousresourcestoo.

Definitely lost, he thought to himself. Definitely time to go. He picked himself up, glancedaroundtomakesurethatnoonehadnoticedhim,andscuttledoffintothenight.MovingthroughthecarnageofthebattlefieldFelixcaughtsightofafamiliarfigure.Hisheartleapt.Ulrikawasalive.Thinkingofnothingelse,hemoved towardsher through themassofskaven.Allaroundhimratmenturnedandfled.TheyhadlearnedtofearhisflashingbladeandhisproximitytothetwoSlayers.Hismerepresenceatthismomentseemedenoughtounnervethem.Therewaslittledoubt in his mind that the ratmen were beaten. They milled around looking for a way out, theirformationbroken,theirdisciplinegone.Thelossoftheirleaderandthesurpriseonslaughtfromtheirformercaptiveshadbeenenoughtoroutthem.Nowitwasonlyamatterofstayingalivewhiletheyfled.

“Ulrika!”heshouted,butshedidnothearhim.Atthatmoment,ahugeblack-furredskavenleaptather.Terrifiedthathewasabouttoloseherjustwhenhehadfoundheratlast,Felixracedforwardto intervene. He need not have bothered. Ulrika parried the rat-man’s blow, and put a stop-thrustthrough its heart.Gurgling in pain, the skaven tumbled forward onto its knees, and then sprawledheadlonginthedirt,surroundedbyarapidlyspreadingpoolofitsownlifeblood.

Ulrikacaughtsightofsomethingoutofthecornerofhereye,andwhirledreadytoattack.Foralong tense moment she and Felix faced each other. Neither moved. Neither said anything. Thensimultaneouslytheybothsmiled,thenmadetomovetogether.Unabletostophimself,uncaringofthedanger,Felixcaughtherinhisarms.Theirlipsmet.Theirbodiesstrainedagainsteachother.

Surroundedbythehowlingmadnessofbattle,theystoodliketheyweretheonlytwopeopleintheworld.MaxSchreiber lookedaroundhim.Hewas tired.Asmuch from themagichehad justwrought asfromthereactiontothebeatinghehadtakenlastnight.Hislimbsfeltheavywithfatigue.Notevenasanapprenticewhenhehadmaintainedmanyadays-longvigilintheserviceofhismasterhadheeverfelt soworn out. Still, victorywas theirs. The skavenwere routed, and even though they still hadnumericalsuperiority,hedoubtedtheywouldreturn.Theywerenotbynaturecourageouscreaturesandittookthemalongtimetogetoverdefeats.

Maxlikedtothinkofhimselfasascholar,notawarrior,buthefeltsatisfiedwithwhathehaddonehere.HehadtakenastandagainsttheforcesofChaosandhehadhelpedturnthemback.Partofhimfoundtheexperiencefarmoresatisfyingthancastingprotectivespellsonthehomesandvehiclesofhisclients.Hebegantounderstandthethrillofbattlehehadalwaysreadabout.HesmiledsourlyashecaughtsightofFelixandUlrikakissing.

Itappearedthatforashelteredscholarhewasgettingacrashcourseinallmannerofemotionalturmoil.Hefeltjealousygnawawayathim,andheknewthatnotallofhismagiccouldrootitout.

HewasmorethanalittleattractedtoUlrika.Forthepastfewdayshehadfelthimselfinthegripofpassion.HereallyshouldhaveleftthemansiondaysagobuthadstayedonunderthepretenceofwaitingfortheSpiritofGrungni’sreturn.SeeingthewaythatUlrikalookedatFelixheguessedthattherewaslittlechanceofherrespondingtohisardour.

Unless, the most unworthy thought struck him, something were to happen to Felix Jaeger.

Surprisedathisownsavageryhesentahailofgoldenbeamsslashingintotheretreatingskaven.Theydiedinamostgratifyingway.

Silencecamesuddenly.Thebattlewasover.Thedeadlayinpilesaroundthemansion.TheSpiritofGrungnihovered overhead, nuzzling the docking tower like a horse being hitched to a post. Theskavenweredefeated.Itwaslate.Felixfelttiredbutelated.HeheldUlrika’shandasifhefearedshewouldvanishifheletgoofit,andshedidnotseematallinclinedtolosehisgrip.Allhisforebodingsonthetripbacknowseemedsenselessandfutilephantoms.Shewasasgladtoseehimashewastoseeher,andhecouldnotbegintoexpresshowhappythatmadehim.Insteadhecouldonlystandandgazestupidlyintohereyes.Wordsjustwouldnotcome.Fortunately,sheseemedcontentwiththat.

Snorristompedover.“Goodfightthat,”hesaid.Blackbloodcrustedhisbandagesandhebledfromdozensofnewsmallcutsbutheseemedhappywithhislot.

“Callthatafight?”Gotreksaid.“I’vehadmoredangeroushaircuts.”“Iwouldn’twanttomeetyourbarber,”Felixsaid.“Felixmadeajoke,”saidSnorri.“Snorrithinksit’sfunny.”“Let’sgetsomebeer,”Gotreksaid.“Nothinglikeabitoflightexercisetoworkupathirst.”“Snorriwantsabucketofvodka,”saidSnorri.“AndSnorrishallhaveit.”DwarfshadstartedtoclimbdownthedockingtowerwheretheSpiritofGrungniwasmoored.

SoonasmallcontingentofthemwerehelpingtheKislevitespileupthebodiesforburning.Felix thought thiswasasgooda timeasany forheandUlrika to retire to theirchamber.She

agreed.“IneverthoughtIwouldseeyouagain,”Ulrikasaid.

Thedawnwasbeautiful.Goldenbeamsofsunlightslanteddownandcaught theendlessseaofgrassaroundthem.Birdssang.Itwassocalmthatifitwerenotforthefaintsmellofburnedfleshinthe air, Felix would have found it difficult to believe that any battle had taken place the previousevening.

“ThereweretimeswhenIthoughtIwouldneverseeyouagain.Alotofthem,”hereplied.“Wasitbad?”“Very.”“IntheWastes?”“IntheWastesandinKaragDum.YouwouldnotbelievemeifItoldyouwhatwefoundthere.”“Tryme.”“Allright,”hesaid,gatheringhercloseinhisarms.“That’snotwhatImeant,”shesaid,thenkissedhim.“Itwilldoforthemoment,”hesaid,pullingherdownintothelonggrass.“Yes,”shereplied.

Afterwards,astheylaynakedonhisoldwoollencloak,sheleanedonherelbowandbegantoticklehisfacewithanearofgrass.“WhatwasitlikeintheChaosWastes?”

“Dowereallyhavetotalkaboutit?”“Notifyoudon’twantto.”Heconsideredforatimebeforereplying.“Itisaterribleplace.Likethedreamofinsanegods.”“That’snotveryspecific.”“Morethanyouwouldthink.Itchangesseeminglyatrandom.Landscapesshimmerandshift…”“Soundslikemiragesinthedesert.”“Perhaps.But there are things there…Huge idols large ashills, ruinedcities thatnomanhas

ever heard of, thatmight just have dropped from the sky. Endless hordes ofmonsters, and black-armouredmen,allofthemdedicatedto…”

“Whatisit?Whydoyoufallsilent.”“They are coming here.We saw them from the airship. A horde of them.More than I could

count,andtheyaremerelytheoutridersofanevenvasterhost.”“Whyhaven’tyoumentionedthisbefore?”“BecauseIwassohappytoseeyou,andbecauseIamsureBorekhastoldyourfatherbynow.”Ulrika sat up straight and stared at the horizon. It did not escape Felix’s notice that she was

lookingnorthward, to themountainsbeyondwhichlaytheWastesofChaos.Hesensedachangeinhermood,anewwatchfulqualitythathadsomethingoffearinit.

“The forces ofDarkness have come thisway before.We live on their borders. These are themarchlands.Wehavefoughtwiththemandtriumphedinthepast.”

“Notagainsttheforcethatiscoming.ThiswillbelikethegreatChaosIncursionoftwocenturiesago,inthetimeofMagnusthePious.”

Shefrowned.“Youaresure?”“Ihaveseenitwithmyowneyes.”“Whynow?Whyinourtime?”Hethoughthedetectedahintoffearinhervoice.“IamsureMagnusaskedhimselfthesamequestion.”“Thatisnotananswer,Felix.”Nowtherewasanoteofexasperation.Afrownmarredherbrow.

Acorrespondingannoyancewelledupinhim.“Iamnotaprophet,Ulrika,Iamjustaman.Icannotanswerthesequestions.Ionlyknowthatit

fitswithwhatIhaveseeninotherplaces…”“Whatotherplaces?”Herwordsweresharp.Hedidnotlikehertone.“IntheEmpire,thecultistsmultiply.TheworshippersofChaosareineverycity.Beastmenfill

the forests. The number of changelings, ofmutated ones, is increasingwith everymonth.Wickedmagiciansprosper.Isometimesthinkthatthedoomsayersareright,andthattheendoftheworldiscoming.”

“Those are not cheerful words,” she said reaching out and grasping his hand with feverishstrength.

“Thesearenotcheerfultimes.”Hereachedoutandstrokedhercheek.“Weshouldgobacksoon.Findoutwhattheothershavebeensaying.”

Shesmiledwanlyandbentforwardtokisshisbrow.“I’mgladyou’rehere,”shesaidsuddenly.“Metoo,”saidFelix.

MaxSchreiber listened towhat thedwarfsweresayingwithgrowingdismay.TheirdescriptionsoftheoncomingChaoshordechilledhimto thebone.Thepictures theypainted inhismindhadevenmanaged todriveout the jealousyhehad felt thismorningwhenhe sawFelix andUlrika rideofftogether.

He had read descriptions of such things from the time of the great war against Chaos twohundredyearsago.Hedidnotdoubtthatthiswasaforceofsimilarsize.Foralongtimenow,hehadsuspectedthatsuchathingwouldhappen.HehadstudiedthewaysofChaosfortoolongnottoknowitspowerwasonthe increase.Helookedat thedwarfs’faces.Theymightwellhavebeenchiselledfromstone.Thematter-of-factwayinwhichtheytoldoftheirdescentintoKaragDumandtheirbattlewiththethingtheyhadfoundtheremadehimlookontheSlayerswithnewrespect.

AnddespitehisjealousyofFelixJaegerhehadtoadmitthemanwasbraveaswellaslucky.Maxdidnot thinkhehimself couldhave faced the thing thedwarfsdescribedwithquite the equanimityJaegerhad.Hecouldunderstandwhythedwarfsspokeofhimwithrespect.Thethingtheyhadfought

wasobviouslyaGreaterDaemonofChaos.Hewondered if thedwarfshadany ideaofhow luckytheyhadbeen tosurvivesuchanencounter.Not that theyhadactuallysucceeded inslaying it,Maxknew.Suchcreaturescouldnotbedestroyedbymortals.Allthattheyhaddonewasbanishitsphysicalform.Itwouldtakeonanothersoonerorlater,andreturntothisplanetoseekvengeance.IfitcouldnotfindGotrekGurnissonorFelixJaegeraliveitwouldseekouttheirdescendantsandheirs.Suchwasthemannerofthethings.

Therewere timeswhenMaxSchreiberwished he had not studied this subject so long and sohard.Beingprivytosuchknowledgeoftengavehimnightmares.Still,ithadbeenhischoice;hehadset his feet on this path long ago, and he had beengivenmanyopportunities to turn back.Hehadchosennotto.Eversincehehadwatchedhisfamilybutcheredbybeastmenasachild,hehadhatedChaosandallitsworks.Hewassworntoopposeitinanywayhecould,andthatmeantlearningitsways.Longagowhenhehadfirststartedhisstudiesasamagehehadencounteredthosewhowereoflikemind.Theyneeded tobewarnedofwhatwascoming from thenorth.Theworldneeded tobewarned.

Ivanobviouslyagreed.“Ifwhatyouaresayingistrue—”“Youdoubtmyword?”GotrekGurnissonsaid.“ItisnotthatIdoubtitmyfriend,it’sjustthatpartofmewouldrathernotbelieveit.Thetideof

Chaosyouaredescribingcouldsweepawaytheworld.”“Yes,”saidBorek.“Itcould.”“Exceptthedwarfholds,”Gotreksaidstoutly.“Eventhosewouldfallintheend,”Boreksaid.“RememberKaragDum.”Gotreksmiledsourly.“Idon’tseehowIcouldforgetit.”“Imust sendword to the IceQueen,” said Ivan. “TheTzarinamustbewarned.The armiesof

Kislevmustbemustered.”“Aye,”saidBorek.“Butwhataboutyou?Youcannotremainhere.Thismanorcouldnotresist

themassedmightofChaos.”“Iwill summonmy riders and head south toPraag.Thatwill bewhere our forceswillmeet.

However,Imustaskaboonofyou…”MaxSchreiber leaned forward interestedly. “Somust I,”he said. Ivan lookedupand indicated

thatheshouldspeakfirst.ItwasameasureoftherespecttheKisleviteheldforhimsincehehadusedhismagicontheirbehalf.

“Imust ask passage south with you on the airship if that is possible. There are those I mustinformabouttheseevents.”

“TheElectorCountofMiddenheim,perhaps?”Boreksaid.“Amongothers. I am sure that in the faceof this threat I canprevail uponhim to send aid to

Kislev.IfnothingelsetheKnightsoftheWhiteWolfwillrespond.”“TheSpiritofGrungniisalreadyfullalmostbeyondcapacity,”Boreksaid.Maxtiltedhisheadto

showheunderstood.“Thatisapity,oldfriend,”Ivansaid,“forI toowishedtoaskthesameboon.Iwanttosenda

messengertotheIceQueenandtobesureyourcraftisfasterthantheswiftestriderevercouldbe.”“Iamsurewecouldfindspace,”Boreksaid.“Ifneedbewecanalwaysfindspace.”“Good—IwishtosendmydaughterUlrikaandtwobodyguards.OlegandStandawillgowith

her.”Theyalllookedattheoldboyar.Itwasplainfromthebleakexpressiononhisfacethathehada

stronger reasonfor this thanmerelywarning theIceQueen. Itwasclear thathewished tosendhisbeloveddaughteroutofharm’sway,at leastforashort time.Maxwasprofoundlygrateful that the

oldmancaredenoughtodothisthing.“Itshallbeso,”Boreksaid.

***GreySeerThanquolfeltdreadful.Hisheadached.Hisbodyfeltasifstormverminhadworkeditoverwithclubs—notthatanyskavenwoulddaretodosuchathingtohim,ofcourse.Worstofallwasthesenseoffailurethatgnawedathisbowels.Hewasnotquitesurehowtheyhaddoneit,buthewassurethat somehow Gotrek Gurnisson and Felix Jaeger had contrived to thwart him yet again. Theirmaleficpowerssometimesseemedunlimited.Andofcourse therewasalways theworthlessnessofhisunderlingstobeconsidered.

NotthatthemastersofClanMoulderwerelikelytoacceptthis.Hewassurehehadseenatleastoneofhisclawleadersscurryawayinthemadaftermathofthebattle.DoubtlesshewouldpoisonthemindsofhisstupidkinsfolkwithliesaboutThanquol.ItwastruethatasmallarmyofClanMouldertroopshadbeenlostintheattempttoseizetheairship,butThanquolwasnottoblamefortheinferiorquality of his troops. And it was equally true that he had failed to capture the airship as he hadpromised.ButonlythemostbiasedofchurlscouldblameThanquolforthedeviousnessoftheSlayerandhisminions.Of course, he suspected that theMoulder skavenpossessed exactly the amountofbiasrequiredtomakethesepoorlyinformedjudgements,anditwasalltoopossiblethatifheweretoreturntoHellPitanaccidentmightbefallhim.Therewerenolimitstothewickednessofhisenemies.

Afamiliarblackdepression,theconsequenceoftoomuchwarp-stoneusedtoosuddenly,settledonhim.TheenmityofMoulderwasonlyonepartoftheproblemthatfacedhimnow.Anotherwashowtogetbacktofriendlyskaventerritoryacrossahundredleaguesofplain.HeknewfrombitterexperiencethatKislevitehorsearchersweredeadlymarksmenanditwouldonlytakeonearrowtoendevensobrilliantacareerashis.Whatwasparticularlyworryingwasthathissupplyofwarpstonewasdepletedandhissorcerouspowerswereatalowebb.Inmanywaysthesituationwasasdireasanyhehadeverfacedinhislongandincrediblysuccessfulcareerasagreyseer.

Whatcouldhedo?Heknewthattheremustbesomeskavensurvivorsouthereontheplainbuthewasnotatallsurethatseekingthemoutwasagoodidea.Theywere,afterall,thehousetroopsofClanMoulder and itwas conceivable that theirmisguidedmindsmight hold a grudge against himbecauseofthefailureoftheplan.Certainlythereweremanyproblemshere,andevenamindaskeenasThanquol’squailedwhenhecontemplatedthedifficultieswhichloomedbeforehim.

Astrangesmellmadehiswhiskerstwitch.Itwasoddlyfamiliarandyetsubtlydistorted.Heheardsomethingmassivemovingthroughthelonggrass.Somethingthatmightconceivablybethesizeofarat-ogre. Had Boneripper survived? It did not smell like him. Swiftly Thanquol summoned theremnantsofhispower.Whateveritwasitwouldnotfindhimdefenceless.

SuddenlyamonstrousapparitionloomedoverGreySeerThanquol.Itwasaslargeasarat-ogre.Ithadahornedhead,andalargespikedtail.Forabriefmoment,ThanquolfearedhemightbefacingtheHornedRatitself,cometomakehimgiveanaccountofhimself.Hefelthismuskglandstightenasthethingopeneditsmouthtospeak.

“GreySeerThanquol,itisI,thehumblestofyourservants,Lurk.”“Lurk!Whathappenedtoyou?”“Itisalongstory,mightiestofmasters.PerhapsIshouldtellittoyouaswemarch.”Lurk’svoicehaddeepenedandthoughhiswordswererespectful,therewasahungryglintinhis

eyethatThanquoldidnotlikeatall.Notatall.

FOUR

STORMTOSSEDFromtherearobservationdeckoftheSpiritofGrungni,Felixwatchedthemansionfallawaybehindthem.Sadnessfilledhim.IvanStraghov’shousewasaplacewherehehadbeenhappy,beforehesetofffortheChaosWastes,andnowhedoubtedthathewouldeverseeitagain.

AlreadytheKisleviteswereassemblingtobeginthelongridesouth.Atroopofhorsemenhadarrivedastheydebatedtheirplans;theyhadroundedupmountsthathadfledfromtheskavenattack,andmanaged toprovidehorses formost of the survivors. Itwas agreed that a dozenor so scoutswouldremainatthemansionforaslongaspossibletotelltheothertroopswhathadhappenedastheyarrived.Afterthat,IvanandtheothersfiguredthatanytroopsabroadwhentheChaoshordearrivedwouldsoonworkoutwhathadhappenedforthemselvesandwouldactaccordingly.Itwasnotmuchofaplan,butitwasthebesttheycoulddounderthecircumstances.

FelixturnedandlookedatUlrika.Herfaceshowedastrangemixtureofemotions.Shehadnotbeenhappytobedispatchedsouthbyairshipto informtheTzarinaof theirplight,while theothershadtoride.Shehadwantedtosharethedangersofherclan’swarriors.Felixthoughtitwaspossiblethat ifhehadnotbeenontheairship,shemightnothaveagreedatall.Certainlyhefelt thathehadhelpedpersuadehertocome.SohadMaxSchreiber.

Felixlookedoveratthemagician.HelikedMaxbutrecentlyhehadnoticedthestrangelooksthemanwasgivinghimwhenhewaswithUlrika.Wasitpossiblehewasjealous?Itwaseasyenoughtobelieve.ShewasverybeautifulandMaxhadbeenaroundthemansionwhilehehadbeenawayintheChaosWastes.Whoknowswhatmighthavehappened then?Felixsmiledsourly. It sounded likehewasfeelingmorethanalittlejealoushimself.

Heconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthattheworstwasbehindthem,atleastforawhile.Theyhad managed to escape from theWastes with their lives intact, and they had survived the skavenambush.FromhereitwasastraightrunsouthtothecapitalofKislev,andthenontoKaraz-a-KarakwhereBorekintendedtopresentthesurvivorsofKaragDumandsomeofitstreasurestotheHighKingoftheDwarfs.FelixwonderedwhatGotrekreallythoughtofthat.

As far asFelix knew theSlayer hadbeenbanished from the great underground city, never toreturn.Felixwasnotsurewhethertheexilewasself-imposedorapenaltyfortheSlayer ’smisdeeds.Ithadneverseemedpolitictoask.GotrekinsistedonremaininginKislevandhelpingagainsttheChaoshordes.Felixcertainlyhopedso.Ivanhadpointedoutthat,asaformerengineer,hewouldbemoreusefulhelpingpreparethedefencestoresistasiege.TheywouldgetofftheairshipwithUlrikaandherbodyguards.

Whateverthereason,Felixwasglad.HewantedtostaywithUlrikaandhecertainlydidn’twanttheSlayerremindinghimoftheoathhehadsworntofollowhimandrecordhisdoom.Therewouldbe timeenough for that later,hedidnotdoubt.With thatmonstrousarmyheading south, amightystrugglewasintheoffing.TherewouldbeplentyofopportunityforGotrektofindhisheroicdeath.

HereachedoutandtookUlrika’shandandsqueezedherfingers.Sheturnedandsmiledathimwanly.Itwasobviousthatherthoughtswerewiththosetinyfiguresslowlyrecedingintothedistancebelow.She turnedandgazedback, likesomeonetrying tomemoriseasceneandrememberpeopleshefearedshemightneverseeagain.In thewannortherndaylight,GreySeerThanquolstudiedLurkclosely.Hehated toadmit itbuthewasbothimpressedandintimidated.Hislackeylookedlikehecouldtakeonarat-ogreandwin.He

wasmorethantwiceThanquol’sheightandpossiblytentimeshismass.Hisclawslookedstrongassteelandthemassiveknobofhornedboneattheendofhistaillookedpotentasamace.Rightatthismoment,ThanquolratherregrettedalltheinsultshehadheapedonLurkinthepast.HewasnotsurethatinhiscurrentstateofdepletionhecouldsummonthemagicalenergiesneededtodestroyLurk.Underthecircumstances,craftinessanddiplomacy,twoofThanquol’sgreatestgifts,seemedlikethemostappropriatemeasures.

“Lurk!Iamgladyouhavereturned.Good-good!TogetherwemustbringnewsofthefailureofClanMoulder ’sill-conceivedattackonthehumanforttotheattentionoftheCouncilofThirteen.”

Lurklookedathimwithreddishlyglowingandstrangelyforbiddingeyes.Whenheopenedhismouthtospeakherevealedhugesharptusks.Thanquolfoughtdowntheurgetosquirt themuskoffear.

“Yes-yes, most majestic of masters,” Lurk growled in a voice much deeper than the oneThanquol remembered.Thanquol almost let out a sigh of relief.On their longmarch through thenight, Lurk had been strangely surly. At least now this huge warpstone-altered skaven seemedtractable.Thatwas good.Hewould be able to protectThanquol frommanyof the dangers on theroute.Andwhoknew? Itwas certainly possible that studyinghismutated formmight revealmanysecrets,includinghowtocreatemoreofhiskind.Dissectionrevealedmanythings.However,thoughtThanquol,shiftinguncomfortablybeforethatunblinkingstare,suchmatterscouldwaituntiltheyhadescapedtheimmediatedanger.

“These open spaces crawlwith horse soldiers,”Thanquol said. “The traitors ofMoulderwillalso be out in force.Wemust use intelligence and cunning to escape our enemies and fulfil ourmission.”

“Asyousay,mostpersuasiveofpotentates.”WasthereahintofironyinLurk’svoice,Thanquolwondered?Was it possiblehis lackeywasmockinghim?Was that a gleamofhunger inhis eyes?Thanquoldidnot like that lookatall.Nordidhe like theway inwhichLurkwas sidlingcloser. Itremindedhimuncomfortablyofacatstalkingitsprey.Lurklickedhislipshungrily.

Withvasteffort,Thanquolmusteredhispower.Aflickeringglowappearedaroundhispaw.Lurkstoppedhisapproachand frozeon the spot.Hebobbedhisheadservilely.Thanquol lookedathimwonderingwhetheritmightnotbeagoodideatoblasthimonthespot,andgetitoverwith.Hadhepossessedhisfullmagicalenergieshewouldhavedonesowithouthesitationbutnowhewasnotsurewhetheritwasagoodidea.Hedidnotwanttousewhatlittlepowerhehadunnecessarily.Thereweretoomanythreatsaroundhim.Lurkwatchedhimwarily.Hegavethe impressionofbeingpoisedtospringat theslightestprovocation.Thanquolhadseen that lookbefore inotherskaven.Heknewitonlytoowell.

“Wewillheadnorthwardsfirst.Towardsthemountains.Ourenemieswillnotexpectthat.ThenwewillcircleroundtheedgeoftheplaintillwecomeuponanentrancetotheUnderway.”

“Agoodplan,mostbenevolentofbenefactors.”“Thenletusbeaway.Quick-quick!Iwilltaketheleader ’splaceintherear.”Lurkdidnotseemtoobject.Lookingathisbroadback,Thanquolcontinuedtowonderwhether

thiswassuchagoodidea.Itwasalongwaytothemountainsonfoot,andalongerwayyetbacktotheheartlandsofskavencivilisation.WouldhebebetterofftravellingwithLurkorshouldheblastthemonster in the back right now? As if sensing his thoughts, Lurk cast him a grim look over hisshoulder.Thanquolcontrolledtheurgetosquirtthemuskoffear.

Perhapsitwouldbebestjusttowaitandsee,hethought.Max Schreiber walked through the airship. It was more difficult than he remembered from hisjourneytoKislev.Everyinchofcorridorwasfilledwithpackingcasesshiftedfromtheholdtomake

roomfortherefugeesfromKaragDum.Crewmembersweresleepingonbedrollsinthecorridor.Itcouldnot be pleasant lyingon those riveted cast iron floors.Therewas very little comfort on thewholeship.

Maxwasuncomfortable fromkeeping in a semi-crouch thewhole time.Theairshiphadbeenbuiltfordwarfswhichmeantthatforhimtheceilingswerefartoolow.Movementsometimesseemedlikeanexcruciatingnewformoftorture.Ofcourse,mostofthistriphadturnedouttobethat.

Hestillachedfromtheafter-effectsofthebattle,andhisheartfeltheavywithjealousyoverFelixandUlrika.Hehad,ofcourse,refusedwhenthedwarfshadplacedhiminthesamecabinasthetwolovers. It hadbeen tactlessof them tooffer, but thenhewasused to that from themembersof theElderRace.Forapeoplewhoprided themselvesonhavingbeencivilisedwhenhumanitywas stillwearingskins,theycouldberemarkablyuncouthwhenitcametothesubtletiesofrelationships.Notlike the elves,Max thought.Of course, itwould have been tactless for him to point this out.MostdwarfshatedtheEldestRacewithapassionMaxfoundincomprehensible.

Don’tbesonegative,hetoldhimself.Lookonthebrightside.Youhelpedwinavictoryovertheskaventhenightbeforelast,andyousavedsomeliveswithyourmagic.YouevenhealedGotrekandSnorrioftheworstoftheirwounds.Youhavedonegoodworkhere.Youshouldbeproud.

Hepausedandlookedaroundforamoment.Hewonderedaboutthemonsterthedwarfsclaimedto have spotted on the airship during the battle at the village. He did not doubt they had seensomethingbutperhapsitwasanillusionorsomeminordaemonsummonedbytheskavenseer.Thecreaturewascertainlypowerfulenough tobecapableofsuchmagic.Maxconsideredhimselfveryluckytohavesurvivedthatparticularencounter.Anotherthingtobegratefulfor.

Itwasamazing,he thought.Asanapprentice, secure inhis ignorantpride,hehad thought thatnothingcouldthreatenhimoncehebecameamage.Itseemedthatmostofhiscareer in thearcaneartshadconsistedofdiscoveringthattheworldwasfullofbeingsmorepotentthanhimself.

Another set of illusions shattered.Howmanyhad there been now?Let’s see - one of his idlefantasies as a youth had been the thought that one day he would learn spells that could compel awomantolovehim.Hedidindeedknowsuchspellsnow,aswellashalfadozenothersthatwouldcommand obedience in all but the most strong-willed. Of course now he was bound by the mostsacredofoathsnot tousesuchspellsexcept indefenceof theEmpireandhumanity.Suchweretheresponsibilitiesthatcamewithpower.

Theworldwasamorecomplicatedplacethanhehadeverbelievedasalad.Heknewhewouldbe putting his immortal soul in peril if he ever used such spells now.The road to damnationwaspavednotwithgoodintentionsbutwithdesiresgratifiedbyevilmeans.

Still,thereweretimeswhenithadcrossedhismindthatdamnationmightnotbetoohighapricefor the loveofawomanlikeUlrika.Swiftlyhepushedthat thoughtaside.ThesnaresofChaosaresubtle, he thought, and very, very numerous. He was one of those who should know. His secretmasters had taught him that.Lookon the bright side, he told himself, and stop thinking such darkthoughts.

Despiteallhisformidabletraining,hecouldnot.Ulrikawonderedwhatwasgoingon.Allofasuddenherlifeseemedtohavechangedutterly.ShehadreturnedfromMiddenheimscantweeksagoandnowshehadfledherhome,perhapsforever.Itdidnotseempossiblethatthingscouldchangesoswiftly.

AfewdaysagoshehadferventlywishedforFelix’sreturnanddreadedit.Nowithadhappenedandithadmadeherlifemorecomplicatedthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible.Ofcourse,shewasgladtoseehim,toogladinmanyways.SheknewthattheonlyreasonshehadallowedherselftobepersuadedtoboardtheairshipandwarntheIceQueenwasbecausehewasaboard,andshecouldnot

bearthethoughtofpartingwithhimsosoonaftertheyhadbeenreunited.Andat thesametime, itmadeher feelguiltyandangry.Shewasawarriorofherpeople,and

warriors did not shirk their duties simply because they were smitten. She wished now she hadremainedwithherfather.Thatwouldhavebeentherightthingtodo,andsheknewit.Herplacewasathisside.

Thesecomplexemotionswere infuriatingand sheknew theyweremakingherwithdrawnandsometimes unpleasant. And there were other complications. She had seen the wayMax Schreiberlookedather.Menhadlookedatherthatwaybefore.Shedidnotfinditunpleasant,butsheknewthatthoughshe likedMaxshedidnotwantmore than friendship fromhim.Shehopedshecouldmakehimunderstandthat.Ifnot,thingsmightturnnasty.Sheknewsomemengotthatwaywhentheywererejected.Justtomakethingsworse,Maxwasawizard.Whoknewwhathewascapableof?Well,thatwasaworryforthefuture.Shepushedit tooneside,oneofthosethingsthatmightnevercometopass,worthlesstoconsideruntilitdid.

Thequestionrightnowwasthemanstandingbesideher,holdingherhand.NowthatFelixwasbackall theotherproblemshadcomebacktohaunther.HewasalandlesswandererandtheyweregoingtothecourtoftheTzarina.Hewasoath-boundtofollowGotrekandrecordhisdoom.Andhewas different since he had come back from theWastes. Quieter and grimmer. Perhaps theWastescouldchangeamaninmoresubtlewaysthanmutation.

Andhowmuchdidshereallyknowabouthim?Shetoldherselfthatthesewerethingsthatshouldnotmakeadifferencetoherfeelings,butsheknewinhersecretheartthattheydid.

Inthedistance,shewatchedstormcloudsgathering.Theylookeddifferentfromthisaltitudebutnolessmenacing.There’sastormcomingfromthenorth,shethought,fromtheChaosWastes.Thethoughtfilledherheartwithfear.Snorrilookednorthwardsatthegatheringclouds.Bigstormcoming,Snorricouldtell.Somethingtodowiththesizeandtheblacknessofthecloudsandthefaintflickeroflightninginthedistance.Yes.Bigstormcoming.NotthatSnorricared.Rightatthismoment,Snorriwasdrunk.Hehadconsumedmore thanabucketofpotatovodkaandhewas feelinga little theworse for it.Thatwascommonthesedays.Snorriknewhewasdrinkingtoomuch.Butthenagain,Snorritoldhimself,thatwasnotreallypossible.

Snorridranktoforget.Snorrihadbecomesogoodatitthathehadforgotwhathewasdrinkingtoforget.EitherthatorallthoseblowstotheheadhehadtakenduringhiscareerasaSlayerhaddoneit.Rightnow,heshoulddrinkmore.Itwouldhelphimtostayforgetful,justincase.

He knew that whatever it was he was trying to forget was bad. He knew that he had donesomethingthathemustatonefor,sufferedagrieforshamesogreatthattheonlythinghecoulddotoexpungeitwastoseekdeathinaheroicfashionandthusearnbackhisgoodnameforhimselfandhisclan.Hewonderedwhatitwas.

Inthecornerofhismind,imagesflickered.Awife,children,littleones,alldead.Hadhekilledthem?Hedidnotthinkso.Washeresponsiblefortheirdeaths?Thestabofpaininhischesttoldhimyes,Snorriprobablywas.Hehadbeendrunkthentoo?Yes,hehad.

He took another swig from his bucket and offered it to Gotrek. Gotrek shook his head. Herubbedhiseyepatchwiththeknucklesofonebigfistandkepthisgazefixedontheclouds.

The storm was definitely getting closer. It was coming from the north to overtake the ship,Snorri could feel it in his bones. The thought occurred to him that itmight be sent by theChaossorcerers as revenge for what they had done at Karag Dum. He shared the idea with Gotrek butGotrekjustgrunted.

Snorriwasn’toffended.EvenbySlayerstandards,GotrekGurnissonwasgrim.Snorriknewhe

hadreasontobe.HehadonceknownwhyGotrekhadshavedhishead.Hefeltsureofit.ButtoomuchvodkaortoomanyblowstoSnorri’sheadhadknockedtheknowledgeoutagain.Itwastheway,hethought.

Snorrifeltbone-deepaches.Amazinghowwellhehadhealed,allthingsconsidered.Thathumanmagician’s spell was potent. Still, it could not get rid of all the pain. Snorri had taken a lot ofpunishmentinthepastfewweeks,beeninalotoffights.

Butthatwasallright.Helikedfights.Moreeventhanvodka,orgooddwarfbeer,themadnessofbattlehelpedhimstayforgetful.Incombathecouldlosesightofwhohewasandwhatheoncemighthavebeen.HeknewthiswassomethinghesharedwithGotrek.Hetookanotherswigandwatchedthewallofblacknesscomingcloser.Worststormhehadeverseen,hesupposed.WorseeventhantheonetheairshiphadenduredintheWastes.

AvisionoftheSpiritofGrungnismashedtothegroundbytheforceofthestorm,lyingbrokenandburnedoutonthegroundfilledSnorri’smind.Herealisedhedidn’tcare.Hedidn’tcaremuchabout anything anymore.Hewas awalking corpse now.His life had burned out long ago.At thismoment, itdidnotmatterwhether thedoomhe foundwasaheroicone,as longas itwasadoom.Evenashethoughtthis,partofSnorrirebelled.Itseemedtoomuchlikeabetrayalofhimself,andofhisdead.Andstillpartofhimfeltthatway.HewonderedifGotrekeverfeltthesame.

Snorri knew itwas just another of those things hewould never ask.He offered the bucket toGotrekagain.ThistimetheotherSlayertookit.

Badstormcoming,Snorrithought.WorstSnorrihaseverseen.TherisingwindruffledLurk’sfur.Hisstomachgrowledalmostasloudlyasarat-ogre.Hefeltasifawholenestof runtswere inhisbelly trying toeat theirwayoutofhis stomach.Hecouldnoteverrecallbeingthishungry.

Overhead,blackcloudsboiled.Hugestrokesoflightningburstthroughthedarknessgivingthesceneahellishflickeringillumination.Theraindroveintohisface,almostblindinghim.HehadlostthescentofGreySeerThanquol,andwonderedifthemagewerestillbehindhiminthedarkness.

Thehighgrass rippledandflowed like thewatersofagreatocean.Thebladesslashedathimlikesoftimpotentswords.Hedidnotlikethis.Hedidnotlikethisatall.Hewantedtobeanywherebuthere. He wanted to be in some safe burrow of solid stone, not under this roiling turbulent ever-changingsky.

SilentlyhecursedThanquol.Thegreyseerwas,andeverhadbeen,thesourceofallthemiseryinLurk’slife.Hewishedhehadtakentheopportunitytospringonhimwhenhehadthechance.Hewas sure Thanquol’s magic could not have been all that potent then. The grey seer had lookedexhausted,as if theeffortsof thepreviouseveninghaddrained-himofallpower.Heknewthathisnewaltered formhadbeenmore thancapableofoverwhelminghis formermaster.Hewouldhavelikednothingmorethantoburrowhissnoutinthegreyseer ’sbellyandeathisintestines,preferablywhileThanquollived.

Andyet,despitehisgnawinghunger,hehadnotdoneso.Hehad to face that fact.Hewasnotentirelysurewhy.Partofitwassimpleforceofhabit,partofitwasjustifiableskavencautioninthefaceofThanquol’smagic,andpartofitwasnaturalskavencunning.Heknewthatifhejustbidedhistimea suitableopportunitywouldarise to exacthis revengewith far less risk tohisownprecioushide.

Afterall,withaskavenascunningasThanquol,youcouldneverbesurewhetherhewasreallyasweakashewaspretending.Itwasbettertobesafethansorry.

Orsohehadthought.Butnowthishideousstormhadarisen,anditfeltlikeitwouldblowawaytheirentireworld.Worse,hecouldsenseastrangetainttoit,thefaintmephiticodourofwarp-stone.

This storm was coming straight from the Wastes. Which no doubt accounted for the odd multi-colouredaspectofthelightning.HeturnedtoaskThanquolwhattheyshoulddo..

Thegreyseerwasjuststandingthere,eyeswide,mouthopen,breathinginthestormwindslikeaskavenslave gulping down fungusberrywine. Itwas as if this stormhad beenmade for him.Lurkshiveredwithfear.Perhapshecouldputoffhisrevengealittlelonger.Afterall,hehadwaitedlongenough.Whatdifferencecouldafewmoreminutes,orhours,ordays,orevenweeksmake?

Ifonlyhewerenot sodamnedhungry.He lookedatThanquol,measuringeveryounceofhisflesh.Thanquolsawhislookandafaintflickeringauraofpowersnakedaroundhisclaws.Nowwasnottherightmomentforvengeance,Lurkthought.Butsoon,verysoon.Felixfelttheairshipshake.

“Whatwasthat?”Ulrikaasked.Shedidn’tsoundafraid.Sheneverdidbuthecouldfeelherbodyshiverwhereitlayagainsthis.

“Thewind,”hesaid.TheSpiritofGrungnisuddenlybucked likeashiponastorm-tossedsea.Sheclutchedtightagainsthim.Felixfelthisownheartjumpintohismouth.ThiswasnotapleasantsensationbuthehadexperienceditslikebeforeintheChaosWastes.Cometothinkofit,sohadshe.TherehadbeenastormontheirfirstflightbetweenMiddenheimandKislev.Hereachedouttostrokeherhair,andtouchherwarmandnakedbody.

“It’snothingtoworryabout.I’vebeenthroughworseintheChaosWastes.”Akeeningsoundechoeddownthecorridorandthroughthechambers.Thewholeshipvibrated.

“Justthemetaloftheship.It’sunderstrain,”hesaid,tryingtorememberallthereassuringphrasesthatMalakaihadtaughthim.Hewassurprisedathowcalmhesounded.Heonlywishedhefelt thatway.Theshipshudderedlikealivething.Thetwoloversheldeachotherinthedarkenedcabin.Bothwerewaitingfordisastertostrike.MaxSchreibermadehiswayontothecontroldeck.Thingsdidnotlookgood.Hecouldseenothingthrough themonstrousblackcloudsaheadof themsave theoccasional flickerofa lightning flash.Thewholeshipshivered.TheengineshowledlikelostsoulsastheystrainedtopropeltheSpiritofGrungniagainsttheenormouscurrentsofair.

Onthebrightside,atleastMalakaiMakaissonwasatthecontrols.Ofallthepotentialpilotsoftheship,Maxhadmostfaithinhim.

“Tisnaeasbadasitlooks,”Makaissonsaid.AsalwayshisthickgutturalaccentandodddialectconfusedMax.Makaissonwasnottheeasiestofdwarfstounderstand.

“I’mgladyouarefeelingsoconfident,HerrMakaisson,”saidMax.Heglancedaround.AsidefromtheSlayerengineer,everyotherfaceonthecommanddeckwasapictureofworry.Makaissonplayedwiththeearflapofhispeculiarleatherflyinghelmet,whichhadbeencutatthetoptolethisSlayer ’screstshowthrough.HeadjustedthegoggleswhichsatontopofhisheadthenhelookedupatMaxandgrinned.Itwasnotareassuringgrin.Makaissondidnotlooksaneatthebestoftimes,andatthemomenthelookedpositivelycrazy.

“Nithin taeworry aboot!Ah’ve got the ship turned oot o’ thewind.We’ll joost rin afore thestormtillitrunsooto’force.Nithintaeit.”

Actually,Makaisson’swordssoundedsuspiciouslysensible,astheyoftendidifyoulistenedtothem closely.Max pictured the airship running before thewind just like a sailing ship could. Thestormwouldjustmakeitflyfaster.Aslongasthegasbagremaineduntorntheyshouldbesafe.lustashewasfeelingslightly reassured theSpiritofGrungni leaptupwards likeahorseclearinga fence.Maxwasforcedtograbtheedgeofoneofthecommandseatsjusttostayupright.

“Aweebito’turbulence,man.Dinnaecackyerbreeks!”“Isitjustmeoristhestormdyingdown?”Ulrikaasked.Felixhadbeenwonderingthathimselffor

some time. Hours had passed since the storm had overtaken them, and they had been among thelongesthoursofFelix’slife.TheSpiritofGrungnihadneverfeltquitesounsafe.Atanymomenthehadfeltlikethewholethingmightjustbreakapart,andtheywouldallbesenttumblingtotheirdeaths.SomehowthepresenceofUlrikahadjustmadethewholethingworse.Theprospectofhisowndeathwasnotonethatheparticularlyenjoyed,butthethoughtofthegirlinhisarmsdyingatthesametime,andtherebeingnothinghecoulddoabout,wasjustawful.

“I think it is,” he said eventually.Hewas fairly sure hewas telling the truth too. The airshipseemed tohavesloweda little.Therainno longerbeatquitesostronglyagainst thewindows.Thelightningflasheshadbecomelessfrequent.Perhapstheworsthadindeedpassed.

Ulrikaburiedherheadonhisshoulder.HeheldhercloseandofferedupaprayertoSigmarthattheywouldbespared.MaxSchreiberlookedatthespeedgaugeonthecontrolconsole.TheSpiritofGrungniwasdefinitelyslowing—asign,accordingtoMakaisson,thatthetailwindwaslessstrong.Maxwasn’tentirelysurewhatthedwarfmeant,buthethoughthegotthegeneralidea.Hewasdulygratefulthatthegodshadsparedthem.

“Ahteltye,didn’tah?”saidMakaisson,“butwudyeselisten?Naw!Ahsadethisairshipcantakfarworse than thisbutyeahkentbetter,didn’tye?Aye,wellwhowas right, that’swhatahaskye,noo?”

“Youwere,HerrMakaisson,noquestion,”Maxsaid,andhewasgratefulthatthedwarfhadbeen.He was even grateful that the Slayer had known exactly what to do to save his ship. Perhaps hisreputationforcausingdisasterswasnotentirelydeserved.Aheadofthemsomethinghugeloomedoutofthestormdarkgloom.

“What’sthat?”Maxasked.“It’sabloodymountain,yaeedjeet.Helpmeturnthisdamnwheel.”DesperatelyMax added hisweight toMakaisson’s as they tried to change course. Slowly, too

slowly,theSpiritofGrungnibegantoturn.Snorri woke up. His head was sore and he had to admit his hangover was bad. The whole floorseemedtobetiltingandthatnormallywasaneffectheusuallyonlygotwhenhewasverydrunk.Thenitdawnedonhimthatmaybeitwasn’thishangover.Hewasonanairship,afterall.Maybethewholethingwas tilting?Andwhatwas that scrapingnoise? It sounded like thewholecupolawas runningalongrock.Hadtheylanded?Ifso,whyweretheybumpingalonginthisatrociousmanner?Andwhywere all those voices in the distance screaming?He looked over atGotrek. The other Slayerwaspeeringgrimlyoutintothegloom.

“IknewthatidiotMakaissonwasgoingtogetusallkilled,”Gotreksaid.ThroughtherapidlypartingstormcloudsSnorricouldseemountainpeaksallaroundthem.The

grindingsoundcontinued.Heknewtheywerescrapingrock.Underthecircumstancestherewasonlyonethingtodo.Hetookanotherlongswigofvodkaandwaitedfortheendtocome.MaxSchreiberfeltthewholehullofthecupolagrindagainstthemountainside.Heprayedfeverishlythat it would stay intact. On the bright side at least the gasbag was still alright. Just a few moremomentsandtheywouldbeclear.Ifonlytheairshipwouldholdtogetherabitlonger.Heofferedupaprayertoallthegodsfortheiraid.

FIVE

ANAERIALENCOUNTERThegrindingofthehullsuddenlyceased.Maxfeltamomentarysurgeofrelief.Theairshipwasaloftagain.Theywereoff thesideof themountain.Makaissonshoutedinto thespeakingtube,“Ahwantreportsfromtheship.What’sthedamage?Hooaretheenjuns?Onyholesinthecupolaorgasbag?An’ahwantyetaejumptaeit,yabamsticks!”

Hepulledcontrol leversandtheenginenoisedied.Theairshipwasstillmoving,propelledbythewind,butitsspeedhadfallenawaytoalmostnothing.Itseemedthatthestormhadpassedthemby.MaxlookedattheSlayerengineer.“What’stheproblem?”

“Whaur tae start is the problem! Ah think the enjuns might be a wee bit damaged fae bein’draggedalangthemountainside.Joostatheorymind,butyecanseehooitwoodbepossible.An’thenthere’stheweefactthatahhaenaeideawhaurweare.”

“We’re in theWorld’s EdgeMountains, obviously,”Max said. “Thatwas the only range in ahundredleaguesandwewereblownsouth.Idon’tseeChaosWastesbelowus.”

“Gaethebigmanaprize!”jeeredMalakai.“Ahkenwe’reintheWorld’sEdgeMountains.Ah’madwarf,am’tah?Ahkenamountainrangewhenahseeyin.Ahjoostdon’tknowwhaurexactlyweareinit.”

MaxlookedatMalakai.Thedwarfwasupset.MalakaiMakaissonwasthebest-temperedSlayerMaxhadevermet,andsuchadisplayofangerwasquiteunusualforhim.Maxwasstartingtowonderiftheywereinmoretroublethanhehadimagined.

“Idon’tseehowthat’ssuchabigproblem.”“Then letme explain. If we’ve took serious damage thenwe’re no in ony great shape. Daen

repairsinthemiddleohnaewhaur,waynaepropersparesisnogannaebeeasy.Sowemightbeinforabito’awakhame.Canyeseetheproblemnoo?”

Max suddenly understood why Malakai Makaisson was so upset. He was distraught by theprospectofabandoninghisbelovedairship.Maxcouldunderstandthat.Hewasnotexactlythrilledbytheideahimself.TheWorld’sEdgeMountainswerehugeandfilledwithmaraudingtribesoforcsandothermonstrouscreatures,aswellasbycountlesssavagebeasts.

“I think there might be another problem,” said one of the apprentice engineers tugging atMakaisson’sshoulder.

“Great!An’joostwhitexactlymightthatbe?”“That!”saidtheotherdwarfpointing.Maxglancedinthedirectionofthedwarf’spointingfinger.Hiseyeswentwide.Hisjawdropped

open.Hisheartbeatsoundedlikeadruminhisear.“Godspreserveus,”hebreathed.“Ahdinnaethinktheycan!”saidMakaisson.“Nofaethat!”

“Well,we’restillalive,”saidFelix,risingintoacrouchanddrawingonhisbritches.“I’mgladofthat,”saidUlrika.Felixsmiled,suddenlylookingyearsyounger.“Metoo.”Hepulledonhisbootsandshirtandstrappedonhissword.“I’lljustgoandseewhat’s

happening.”Thesoundofbootshammeringonthemetalfloorofthecorridorwassuddenlyloudinhisear.“Manling,getyoursword!”heheardGotrekshout,asaheavyfistbangedonthedoor.“Snorrithinksthat’sagoodideatoo,”heheardSnorriadd.

“WhatinSigmar ’snameisgoingon?”heasked.“You’llseeforyourselfinaminute.”

MaxSchreiberlookedthroughthewindowofthecommanddeckinastonishment.Hecouldnotquitebelievewhathewasseeingbutthatdidnotstopthesightofitfromfillinghimwithterror.

Itwasadragon,andnotjustanydragon,butquitepossiblythelargestonehehadeverheardof.Notthathewasanexpertonthisparticularsubject.Thiswasthefirstand,hequitesincerelyhoped,thelasthewouldeversee.

Atfirst,whenhesawitinthedistance,hehadthoughtitwasjustaparticularlylargebird.Butitflewoddly for a bird, and as it came closer, he began to get some sense of the scale of the thingcomparedtoitssurroundings.Itwasfartoobigtobeanybirdhehadeverheardof,includingthewareaglesoftheelveswhichwerelargeenoughtocarryafullgrownwarriorontheirback.

Asitcamecloserhebegantoseethattheshapewaswrongforabirdtoo.Itwastoolong,andthewingswerestructuredlikethoseofabat,ratherthanabird.

As it came closer still, he noted the long-lizard like body, the enormous snake-like tail, theserpentine neck supporting themassive head. He saw the colours were like no bird that had everflownsaveperhapsintheChaosWastes.Thegeneralcolourationofthescalyleatheryskinwasredbuttherewereglowinghighlightsinitthatblazedallthecoloursoftherainbow.Amassiveshieldofbonesurroundedthemonstroushead.Adoublerowofrazor-sharpspinesrandownthelongback.

On the command deck pandemonium reigned. Malakai Makaisson shouted orders into thespeaking trumpet while all the time throwing the control levers forward to the maximum extent.Enginesroaredlikedaemonsastheairshippickedupspeed.

“Gunners taeyer stations!”bellowedMakaisson.“Ahwanteverygyrocopteroot there,andahwantitnoo!”

Max wondered what good they would do. He felt paralysed with fear as the dragon cameeffortlesslycloser.Hehadneverseensuchalargelivingthing.Fromnosetotailitmusthavebeenaslong as the gasbag of the airship. It looked like it could lift a bull in each of its claws. ThiswassomethingtofreezetheheartofevenaSlayer.

All aroundhimhecouldhear the soundof running feet asdwarfs raced toobeyMakaisson’sorders.The ship echoedwithpanickedexclamations andoaths as thedwarfsbegan to realisewhattheywerefacing.GiventhefactthatthesewerethesurvivorsofKaragDum,longinuredtohorror,itwasatributetoquitehowfearsomethedragonactuallywasthatitcouldstirterrorintheirhearts.Varekclamberedintothecockpitofthegyrocopter.Adragon,hethought,elatedaswellasterrified.He had seen a dragon, one of the creatures of legend.One of the eldest of beasts. It was anotherwonder he had witnessed on this trip, another thing to note down in his book. If he survived, hethought,astheengineroaredtolife,andthegyrocoptermadereadyfortake-off.Maxfelt rooted to thespot. Ifsomeonehad toldhimat thatmomenthemustcastaspellordie,heknewhewouldbedead.Hismindwasblank.Hecouldnotworkmagicifhislifedependedonit.Thedragonopened itsmouthand roared.Thesoundechoed like thunder through themountains.Smallflameslappedthesword-sizedteethasitdidso.Asitcameevercloser,Maxrealisedonecauseofthehorror.Whathehadthoughtweresmalljewelsinsetinitsskinandglitteringinthesunwereinfacttiny shards of warpstone. He shuddered to thinkwhat exposure to that dreaded substancemust bedoingtothedragon.Mutationandmadnesswereitslotattheveryleast.Perhapsthataccountedforthecreature’ssize,anditsoddappearance.

At this range he could see long tendrils of flesh surrounded the mouth and long stalk-likeantennaeprotrudedfromitsbrowsjustabovetheeyes.Hereandtheremassivepustulesblisteredthescalyhide.ThethinghaddefinitelyfeltthetouchofChaos.Wasitpossibleithadbeenbroughthere

bythestorm,blownallthewayfromtheWastesbytheforceofthosedaemonicwinds?Hedidnotknow.Helickedhisdrylips.Hedidnotwanttofindout.

Thedragonwasalmostalongsidethemnow,flyingparallelwiththeairshiplikeawhalescullingalongsideacargovessel.IthadyettoattackbutMaxdidnotdoubtthatitwashostile.Itwastoyingwiththemlikeacatmighttoywithamouse.

Thisclosehecouldmakeoutthedetailsofitsenormoushead.Itseyesglowedyellow,thepupilsblazing redsuns.Amalign intelligenceglittered in theirdepths.Acloudofpoisonous-lookinggasbillowedfromitsnostrilsandmouth,whereoccasionallysmallflameslappedforth.

Gods, the thingwasbigenough to swallowahorse inonegulp.Thoseclawscould shred thegasbag like amanmight tear a piece of parchment. If it breathed therewas every chance that thegasbagmightcatchfireandwhoknewwhatmighthappenthen.Maxshudderedwhenheconsideredthat the engines of the Spirit of Grungni were powered by black stuff. It was one of the mostinflammablesubstancesknowntoalchemicalscience.Therewerejustfartoomanythingsthatcouldgowronghere.

Heheardmoreenginesroarasgyrocopteraftergyrocopterdroppedfromthehangardecksoftheairship.Afterthebattleatthemanorhousetherewereonlythreeleft.AsfarasMaxwasconcernedtheywouldprobablycauseasmuchtroubletothedragonasgnatswouldtoawolf.Hecouldnotseeanywaytheycouldsurvivethisencounter.

Evenashewatchedthefirstofthegyrocopterscurvedintoview,headingdirectlyatthedragon.Aroaringasofa thousandmusketsfiringatoncetoldhimthat theorgangunturretsontopof thegasbags and the bottom of the cupola had opened fire.A line of explosions in the dragon’s fleshshowedwheretheirshotshadstruckhome.

Thedragonroareditswrath.Itslongsnakyneckcurvedtobringtheopenjawsdirectlyintolinewiththeairship.Maxfoughtdowntheurgetoshriekasacloudofflamesandwarpstonegasflashedtowardsthem.The wind whipped against Varek’s face. He was filled with exultation and a sense of speed. Hewhoopedwildlyasthegyrocopterarcedaroundanduptowardsthedragon.Hefeltasifhewasbeingpressedintohisseatbyagiantfist.Hehadneverfeltsoalive.HethoughtheunderstoodoneofthesecretsoftheSlayersnow,whytheyconstantlysoughtoutdeath.Thiswasexistenceontheveryedge,anditwassweet.Aheadofhimthehugemonsterloomedeverlarger.FearclutchedatVarek’sbowelsashefeltitsburninggazefallonhim.Hefoughtitdown,andmadereadytoattack.Felixheardthesoundoftheturretsopeningfireabovethem.Whatwasit?Whatcouldbeattackingthemheresofarabovetheground?Ithadtobesomethingflying,andsomethingthatcouldmovefasttooverhaulthem.Atanymomentheexpectedthefiringtostop.HehadonceseenademonstrationofanorgangunbeingfiredbytheImperialmilitaryduringtheEmperor ’sdayparadebackinAltdorf.The thing had ripped apart a small wooden fortification. Nothing could possibly resist theconcentratedfireofhalfadozenofthem,couldit?

GotrekandSnorrihadalreadyclamberedup the ladderand through thehatchof thegondola.Felix pulled himself up, more swiftly than any dwarf. For a brief moment he was on top of thegondola itself,andhecaughtsightofwhatwasbeingfiredat.Hehada flickering impressionofalongreptilianshape,largeastheairship,wingedlikeabat,thentheacridsmokeoftheorgangunsbillowed into his line of sight and cut off his view. By all the gods, could it be a dragon, hewondered?Hadhereallyjustseenwhathethoughthehad?Hemostsincerelyhopednot.

SnorriandGotrekcontinuedonuptheladder.Itwasmadeofflexiblemetalhawsersandranallthewaythroughthegasbagtothetopoftheairship.Itwasdesignedtogiveaccesstotheturretsupthere,andtoletthecrewintothegasbagtoeffectrepairs.

Itwascolduphere,andthestingofthewindbroughttearstoFelix’seyesuntilhepulledhimselfinsidethegasbag.Nowallaroundhecouldseehundredsofsmallergasbags.HeknewMakaissonhaddesignedthemsothateveniftheouterskinoftheballoonwaspiercednotalltheliftgascouldescapeatonce.Accordingtothedwarf,overhalfofthesenacelleswouldhavetobeburstbeforetheSpiritofGrungniwouldbegintolosealtitude.

Suddenlyhefeltthetemperaturerisedramatically.Hebecameawarethatflameswereflickeringbelow him and therewas a terrible stench that reminded him of sewage andwarpstone.Whatwashappening?

“Dragonbreath!”heheardGotrekroar.Iamgoingtodie,Felixthought.

Max almost screamed as the cloud of burning gas enveloped the airship. He pictured the gasbagcatchingfireand thewholevesselbeingblownapart inanapocalypticblastofheatandflame.Foronebriefmoment,heknewthathewasdead.Heclosedhiseyes,tookaterrifiedbreathandwaitedforthe inevitableburstofagony thatwould tellhimhis lifewasover.Aheartbeatpassed, thenanotherandhewasstillalive.Hefelttheairshiptilt,andthenknewitwasafalsereprieve.Hereachedouttosteadyhimselfinstinctively,shockedtofindhewasstillalive.

Heopenedhis eyes, looked around and sawMakaisson still furiously tugging at the controls.Theairshipwasheadingupwards,climbingsteeply.Helookedaroundtoseethedragonbelowthem,spreadingitswings,beginningalonglazyspiralupwards.Arounditthethreegyrocoptersflittedlikemosquitoes.

“We’restillalive,”Maxsaid.“Weelspotted!”saidMakaisson.“Cannaepitmuchpastyou,bigman,canwe?”“How?Whyaren’tweburnedtodeath?Whydidn’tthegasbagcatchfire?”“Taksmarethanabriefscorchingtoheatmetal,asyewouldkenifyeeverworkediron,sothe

cupoladidnaemelt.Wewereaweebitluckierwiethegasbag.Hadtheexplodin’problemwi’malastairship,sothistimeahtreatedthegasbagan’thenacelleswi’aflameproofalchemicalmix.Joostaswell,really.”

“Makaisson,Idon’tcarewhatotherssayaboutyou,Ithinkyou’reagenius.”“Thanks, ah think,”Makaisson said.Hemadea small adjustment to thecontrols. “By theway,

whitexactlydaeotherssayabootme?Nothatahcare,yeken.”Felixemergedonthetopoftheairship.Ametaldorsalspineranalongthetopofthegasbag.Fromit,netshungoverthegasbagitselfsothatthebraveandthefoolhardycouldclimbover.Alongthespinewereorgangunturrets.Asmallhandrail,setattherightheightfordwarfs,ranalongthespine.Felixgrabbeditandhauledhimselfintotheopen.Thewindtuggedathishair,andbroughttearstohiseyes.It roared in his ears when it wasn’t drowned out by the thunder of the organ guns. He could seeGotrek andSnorri shout andwave their fists at the dragon but he couldn’t hear aword theyweresaying.Probablyjustaswell,really;itmostlikelywasn’tanythingsensible.

Heshookhishead,knowingthathewasdeliberatelytryingtodistracthimselffromtheawesomesightbelow.Itwasindeedadragon,risingthroughtheclouds.Beneathithecouldseethestreamsandvalleys ofwhat he assumedmust be theWorld’s EdgeMountains.Gyrocopters buzzed around themightybeast.

Foramoment,hethoughthowfewmenhadeverbeenprivilegedtowitnesssuchasight,butitdawnedonhimthatrightnowhewouldcheerfullyswaptheprivilegetobeonthegroundandasfarawayfromthathugecreatureaswashumanlypossible.

Hecouldseethatthegyrocopterswereusingtheirsteamjetsonthedragon,butineffectually.AcreaturewhichburnedinternallywiththefiresofChaoswasunlikelytobehurtbyascaldingjetof

superheated water. Maybe if they tried blasting it directly down the creature’s throat it mightextinguish the fire but he doubted it. The bombs being lobbed by the pilots were proving just asineffectualatthemoment.Againstsuchaswiftlymovingtarget,itwasdifficulttojudgedistancesandsetthefusetimecorrectly.EvenasFelixwatchedhesawbombsexplodeharmlesslyintheairaroundthe dragon. Then with a swift move the dragon turned and breathed on the nearest gyrocopter. Itexplodedassuddenlyandexplosivelyasoneofthebombsbutonamuchmoremassivescale.Felixofferedupaprayerforthesoulofthepilottumblingtotheearthinablazingpyre.

Thedragonflexeditswingsandbegantogainaltitude,movingswiftlyinpursuitoftheSpiritofGrungni.Therewasalullinthefiringasthegunnerswaitedforittocomewithinrangeagain.

“It’smine,”heheardGotreksay.“It’sSnorri’s,”Snorrireplied.“Ithinkthere’senoughtogoaround,”Felixsaid,reachingforthehiltofhissword.“Noneedto

fightover…Ow!”Hedrewhishandawayfromthehiltofhisbladeas if ithadbeenscorched.Ithadn’tbeenbut

whenhe touched thedragon-headedhilt of thebladehehad felt a strange tingling, and a surgeofenergy the like of which he had never felt before. It was not an unpleasant sensation merely anunexpectedone.Hereachedout tograsp theswordagain,half thinkinghehad imagined thewholething,butnosoonerhadhedonesothanthesensationreturned,redoubled.

Anoddwarmthspread throughhishand,uphisarmand throughhisbody.He feltgood.Anylingeringfearhemighthavehadofthedragonvanished.Hefeltexultation,powerandstrengthpourintohim.Hefoundthathewasquitelookingforwardtothedragongettingwithinstrikingdistance.

The part of him that was an objective observer wondered if he had gone insane. There wasnothinggoodwhatsoeveraboutadragongettingwithinahundredleaguesofhim,norofthisfragilegasbag,andthecupolasuspendedbelowit.Heknewthatsomeexternalpowermustbeatworkhere,somesorcery.WasitpossiblethatMaxSchreiberhadcastaspellwithouthimknowingit?Ifso,whyhadhenotnoticedanychangeinGotrekorSnorri?ItmadenosenseforthemagiciantocastaspellonhimandnotthetwoSlayers,whowereagooddealtougherthanhe.

The dragon swelled in Felix’s field of vision, and a sense of expectation filled him. It wasdefinitely coming from the sword, he felt. Holding the blade before him he could see the runesblazingalongitslengthwithastrengthandabrightnesshehadneverseenbefore.Itwasasiftheyhadbeeninscribedinfire.

He wondered about this. He had never known much about the history of this blade, the onesoughtbytheTemplarAldredallthosemonthsagointheruinsofKarakEightPeaks.Hehadalwaysknownitwasmagical.Itkeptitsedgelikenobladehehadeverknown,andhadnevertakenanickinallhismanybattles.Hehadthoughtthatwasthelimitoftheenchantmentonit.

Lookingatitnow,andexaminingthewayitwasbehavinginthepresenceofthatgreatdragonbelowthem,itseemedthatperhapsthehiltoftheswordwasmorethanmeredecoration.Perhapsitwasexpressiveofthepurposeofthesword.Fromnowherebutthebladeitself,itseemed,cametheknowledgehewasright.

HejoinedtheSlayersinshoutingabuseatthedragon,surprisedathisowntemerity.Normally,hewouldneverinamillionyearshavedareddrawtheattentionofsopowerfulabeasttohimselfinsuchaway,butitseemedtheinfluenceoftheswordwasaffectinghimgreatly.HecouldtellbytheastonishedlooksGotrekandSnorriweregivinghimthattheywerejustassurprisedashewas.

Wingsbeatingtheairfuriously,thedragonrosetotheattack.Thegyrocoptersroseinitswake,though the part of Felix thatwas still capable of sane thoughtwonderedwhat they could do to sobalefulacreature.

Through the porthole of the cabin, Ulrika watched the battle below with a growing sense ofhelplessness.Therewasnothingshecoulddotoaffecttheoutcomeofthisstruggle.Shedidnothavethe skills tomananyof theweaponsor fly the ship.Shedoubted that shecouldnick the fearsomebeast even if she could get within striking distance of it. And to make matters worse, they werethousands of strides above the surface of the earth. Therewas noway to hide or flee even if shewantedto.

No.Sherefusedtosithereandbehelpless.Theremustbesomethingshecoulddo.Therewasonlyonethingshecouldthinkof,soshedidit.Shesnatcheduptheshortpowerfulhornbowsheusedforhorsebackarchery,strappedthequiverofarrowsoverhershoulderandsetofftofindaplaceshecouldshootfrom.MaxSchreiberwasgladtofeeltheterrorpass.Itseemedthattheoverwhelmingpowerofthedragontoinspirefearinhimhadbeendispelledbysomething.Hewasnotsurequitewhat,butsomewhereclosebyhefeltasurgeofmagicalenergy,pulsinglikeabeacon.Whateveritwas,itwasverystrong.Was it possible therewas another sorcerer on the airship? It didnot seem likely.Dwarfswerenotknownfortheirproficiencyinthemagicalarts,andheknewthatneitherFelixnorUlrikanoreitherofhertwobodyguardsweremages.Itmustbesomethingelse.

Whatever it was, hewas grateful. Hismindwas clear, and he felt capable of drawing on thewindsofmagiconcemore.Hereacheddeepdownintothewellofhissoulanddrewuponhispower.Inhismindhebegantoreviewhismostpotentspells.Perhaps therewassomethinghecoulddotoaffecttheoutcomeofthebattleafterall.Perhaps.

Looking out of the windows of the command deck at the awesome form of the dragon, hedoubtedit.Felixwatched the dragon come ever closer.He thought he could hear itsmightywing-beats evenabovetheroaroftheorganguns.Hewasimpressedbythesheersizeofthething.Hedidnotthinkhehad everbeen this close to so large a living creature. Itmadepart of him feel insignificant, puny,despicable.

Andanotherpartofhimthirstedforittocomewithinstrikingdistance,toreachaplacewherehecould engage it in combat. Felix considered this, and realised thatwhatever itwas thatwanted thebattle,itwasn’thim,itwasanexternalinfluence.Itwassomethingcomingfromhisswordthatwasmakinghimbrandishhisbladeandshoutchallenges.Whilehewasgladfortherelieffromfear,healsoresentedit.Hewasthemasterofhisactions,notsomeancientsemi-sentientweapon.Heforcedhimself toshuthismouth.Byaneffortofwillhebroughthissworddownandheld it in theguardposition.

It was difficult but hemanaged it. The blade fought against him, writhing in his hand like aserpent. In a way he felt like he was drunk, not quite responsible for his actions. It took all hiswillpowerjusttokeepquietandholdstillbuthedidso,andthemorehedidso,themorehefeltthestrangeurgessubside.Eitherhewashisownmasteragainortheswordwasconservingitsenergiesforthegreaterstruggle.

“Cometasteaxeblade,”Gotrekbellowed.“And have a bit of Snorri’s hammer for afters,” shouted Snorri. Felix watched silently. The

creaturewasalmostuponthem.HewascloseenoughtosmelltheChaospoisononitsbreath.Thewholehullechoedasifstruckbyagianthammer.TheforceoftheimpactalmostforcedUlrikafromtheladder.Shefeltthecupolasurgeandswing,andsheknewthatoneofthosegiantclawsmusthaveimpactedontheairship.Herheartleaptintohermouth.Avividpictureofthegondolabecomingseparatedfromthegasbagandplungingearthwardstoitsdoomfilledhermind.Quicklyshepusheditaway,andresumedherclimb.Ifshewasgoingtodie,shewantedtodiefighting.

Maxrolledalongthefloorofthecommanddeck,tossedaboutlikeachild’splaythingbytheforceofthe impact.He felt thecupola swayas thedragon’sclawssmashed into thesideof theairship.Thewholeinteriorofthevesselvibratedlikeadrumasthehugereptile’swingsbeatagainstitinaflurryofblows.Inhismind’seye,hesawthedragonclutchingattheairshiplikeatigerontheneckofitsprey.Itwasnotareassuringimage.

HelookedupandsawMakaissonwrestlingwiththecontrols.Thedwarfcursedloudly,“Bloodyovergrownlizard!Tryin’toeatusalive,soitis.Bloodystupidcritterifyeaskme.Itcannaeeatsolidsteel.Canit?Well,canit?”

Inhisheart,Maxwasnotsosure.Hedidknowthatthedragondidnotneedtobeabletoconsumethemtodestroythem.Afewmoreblowslikethatwouldpullthegondolalooseandthentheywouldallbedead.

***Varekwasreallyexcited.HehadthoughtthatnothingcouldtophisdescentintothebowelsofKaragDum with the Slayers and Felix but this was close to proving him wrong. Aerial combat with adragon, he thought. What a chapter this would be in his book. He lifted the portable organ gunMakaissonhadgivenhim.Hedecideditwastimetogetafewgoodshotsatthedragon.Felixfeltthedeckswaybeneathhisfeetattheimpact.Thedragon’sclawshadsmashedintothesideoftheairship.Thesoundofshriekingmetalfilledhisearsasthehullgavewayundertheforceoftheblow.Thedragon’slongnecksnakedup.Ittookabitefromthegasbag,liftingawayahugepatchofthe outer skin. Nacelles exploded in its mouth. Felix shuddered, wondering how much of thispunishment the ship could take.A sweep of the enormous tail curled right round the gondola andcamedownononeof theorganguns,flatteningitandthegunner.Thewreckageof theturretwentplummetingintospace,tumblingtoearthfarfarbelow.

Thingswerenotlookinggood.Thewholehullcreakedwhenthedragonresteditsweightonit.ThedragonextendeditslongscalyneckandsuddenlyitsheadwasloomingoverFelix.

GotrekandSnorrirushedforward.Snorri’saxelashedoutandbouncedfromthedragon’shide.His hammer had no discernible effect. Gotrek’s axe on the other hand bit home, cleaving thearmouredskinanddrawingblood.Thedragonbellowedwithrage.ItsenormousheadswungroundtoregardtheSlayerbalefully.Felixsawthemalignintelligenceinthecreature’seyesandknewthatthedragonplannedtorevengeitselfonthetinycreaturethathadhurtit.

Itopened itsmouth.Thefiresofhellburnedwithin its jaws.Felix thought thecreature lookedalmostasifitweresmiling.SomestrangeimpulsecompelledhimtothrowhimselfbetweenGotrekand the dragon just as it breathed.He fought back the desire to scream as awall of flame hurtledtowardshim.Maxchantedthewordsofthespell,drawingmoreandmoremagicalenergytohim.Heknewhewasonly going to get one chance at this and hewanted tomake the best use of it. Even if the dragondestroyedthem,itgavehimslightsatisfactiontothinkthathewouldhurtit.

Asthewordstumbledfromhismouth,hefeltthewindsofmagicswirlabouthim.Respondingtothearcanepropertiesofthemantra,goldenmagicwasdrawntohim.Hisgesturesshapedit,mouldedit,thewayapottermouldsclay.Beneathhishandsandtheforceofhismindandwords,ahugeboltofenergytookshape.Whenthesurgeofenergywasalmosttoogreattohold,hemadethefinalgestureandsentitspirallingtowardsthedragon.

Amassivebeamofgoldlightsmashedoutwards,passingharmlesslythroughthecrystalofthewindow,beforeimpactingonthedragon’sfleshandboringinwardstowardsitsheart.Ulrikapulledherselfoutofthehatchwayonthetopofthegasbag.ShewasjustintimetoseeFelixjumpbetweenGotrekandthedragonasitbreathed.Sheknewinthatmomentthathewasgoingtodie.

“No!”sheshouted.Atthesametime,respondingwithoutthought,herbodywasalreadybringingthebowuptothefiringposition,nockingthearrow,andbringingittobearonthedragon’seye.Varekpulledbackonthecontrolstickwithonehand,andblastedawaywiththeportableorgangunwiththeother.Ithadverylittleeffect.Hecouldseescalesbeingblastedoutofthedragon’shidebutitwaslikeusingbuckshotonacurtainwall.Itmightbeuncomfortableforthedragon,buthewasnotgoing to do any real harm.Perhapshis bookwasgoing to endhere, he thought.Perhaps thiswaswherethestorystopped.Felixcouldnotquitebelievewhathappenednext.Astheflameflasheddownathim,hebroughttheswordup toparry. Itwasapointless futilegesture,mademore from forceofhabit than fromanyhopeofbeingabletosavehimself.Andsomethinghappened.Therunesonthebladeblazedbrighter.Theblazeofheatandpaindidnotcome.Somesorcerousforceprotectedhim.

He felt enormous pressure on him, as if hewas pushing against the current of a river. For amoment,hefeltasifhewasgoingtobeblownrightoffthetopofthegasbagbuthebracedhimselfand held his ground. Slowly he forced himself forward, moving to strike the dragon. The bladepulsedbrighterinanticipationoftheblow.Ulrikaunleashedthearrow.Itflewstraightandtruetowardsthedragon’seye,butatthelastsecondthe creaturemoved and the arrow buried itself in one of the strange tendrils descending from themonster ’sbrow.Thecreature’sroarofhatredwasdeafening.ThedragonSkjalandirwasfrustrated.Thiswasnotgoingashehadplanned.Thisstrangevesselwasputtingupa fight.Therewasa sorcereronboarddirecting spells athim.Thatdwarf’s axewasaspotentaweaponasanyhehadseeninhistwothousandyearsofexistence,andasfortheswordthatpunyhumanwascarrying,italmostworriedhim.Itglitteredwithanancientmalicedirectedatallofhiskind.

Rageandhatredfilledhim.Hewaseasilyangerednow.Heknewit.Hehadchangedsincethosetwoidenticalalbinosorcerershadwokenhimfromhislongsleep.Hefearedheknewwhytoo.Theonewiththegoldenstaffhaddrivenwarpstonecharmsintohisflesh.Theonewiththeebonystaffhadwoundhimroundwithcharmshehadbeentoodrowsytoresist.Therewassomethingofthememoryof theirarcaneritual thatfilledhimwithfearaswellasanger.Herememberedthenameofadarkgod,theChanger,ringingthroughhislair.Herememberedthewaythemageshadspurnedhisgreathoard.Heknewhehadbeentrappedinsomesortofspelloftheirmaking,andheknewhismindwascloudedandtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.

The axe bit home again, burying itself in the tendons of his neck. It was like an ant bite toSkjalandir.Painful,irritating,buthardlyfatal.Thesameappliedtothespellattackinghisflanks,andthe stings of those tiny guns. Really there was nothing these little creatures could do that wouldactuallyharmhim.Itwastimetoendthisfarce.

Skjalandir considered his options. He could breathe on the gasbag structure above the metalgondola. When he had slashed it, he had detected the thousands of smaller nacelles inside. Hisdraconicmindwasquitecleverenoughtograspthatthesewerewhatkepttheshipaloft.Iftheycouldbemadetocatchfire…

Would the spell the sword had woven to protect its wielder against his breath protect theinanimate structure? Skjalandir doubted it. He would teach these dwarf interlopers to invade hisrealm,befoulhishuntinggroundswith theirmachines.Hewouldkill themashehadkilledall theotherdwarfswhohadcomeagainsthim.Hewoulddestroythisvesselthewayhehaddestroyedthetownssurroundinghislairandtherewasnothingtheycoulddotostophim.

Orperhapsheshouldcontinuetostrikeatthemetalgondola.Ifheseparateditfromthegasbagallofthosewithinwouldplummettotheirdoom.Thenhecouldpickoffthecreaturesonthegasbag

athisleisure.Somethingwithinhiswarpstone-tormentedmindpreferredthelatteroption.Itwasmorecruel.

Hewasawareof theothergyrocoptersmovingcloser.Let them.Theirsteambreathcouldnotharmhim,andtheirpatheticexplosiveeggswouldbarelyscratchhisarmour.That’siftheydaredusetheirweaponssoclosetotheairship.TheyweremuchmorelikelytoharmtheirownvesselthantohurtSkjalandir.Max felt the surgeofmagical energy abovehim.Aprotective spell, heguessed, andnot cast by amortal wizard. All wizards had their ownmagical signature, as distinctive as a voice. It could berecognisedbyafellowworkerof themysticartsunlessdisguised.Askilledpractitioner, likeMax,couldeventelltheraceandusuallythesexofacasterfromitmostofthetime,butforthisonehehadno clue.A device or a rune perhaps, and yet therewas the hint of some sort of alien intelligencebehindit.

Not that he was likely to find out now,Max thought. He had realised moments after he hadunleashedhisspellthathewasfoolinghimselfifhethoughthewasreallygoingtoharmthedragon.Hecouldhurtit,causeitpain,buthecouldnomorekillitthanabeestingcouldkillanelephant.Thecreaturewas too largeandpowerfuland therewas toomuchmagicwoven into itsverynature forMaxtobeabletoreallyharmit.

AnotherthingmorepowerfulthanI,hethoughtwryly.Iseemtobemeetingalotofthemlately.Hismind flickered through the routinesof the escape spell, but hedoubted itwoulddomuch

good.Itprobablycouldn’tcarryhimallthewaytothegroundandevenifitcouldhestillwouldbetravellingwithallhiscurrentvelocityinthedirectionhewascurrentlymoving.IfhegottoearthhewouldbetravellingatthesamespeedandinthesamedirectionastheSpiritofGrungni,andwouldmostlikelysmashintoarockoratreeorsomeotherobstacle.

Andhewasnotsurehewantedtoleave.Ulrikawasonthisshipandhedidnotwanttoabandonher.Whileshestilllived,hewasn’tgoinganywhere.Felix looked up at the dragon.He felt as if itwere taunting him. Itwas flying just out of strikingdistance and ignoring the challenges roaredbyGotrekandSnorri.Heknew that itwanted them toknowitcoulddestroythematwill. Itwastoyingwiththem.Itappearedthateverythinghehadeverreadaboutthemaliceandcrueltyofdragonswastrue.

Hefeltabriefsurgeofdespair.Afterallthis,wasitgoingtoendthisway?Ithardlyseemedfairthatafterall themanyadventureshehadsurvivedhewasgoing tomeethisdoomduringachanceencounterintheWorld’sEdgeMountains.Thenagain,whoknewwhenthedayoftheirdeathwouldcome?Everyone’sluckranouteventually,andrecentlyhehadbeguntosuspectthathehadhadmorethanhisfairshare.HewasonlysorrythatUlrikawashere-andthathewasnotwithheratthisfinalmoment.

HeglancedoveratGotrektoseehowtheSlayerwasbehavingnowthathislastmomentswereuponhim.Fittinglyenough,Felixdecided.Thedwarfwaswavinghisaxeandbellowingthreatsatthedragon.Snorriwasegginghimon.

From the corner of his eye, Felix saw something looping upwards to gain height above thedragonandthencomecrashingdownlikeaswoopinghawk.Varekgrasped thecontrolsofhisgyrocopterandgnawedhisbeard in frustration.Hehaddonehisbesttoslaythedragonbutitignoredhisorgangunandhecouldnothititwithhisbombs.NowitwasabouttodestroytheSpiritofGrungni.

Worse than that, aboard the airship was the lost treasure of Karag Dum and the Hammer ofFirebeard, one of the legendaryweapons of his people. If theSpirit ofGrungniwas destroyed thehammermight be lost oncemore, perhaps this time forever. Varek was proud of his part in this

expedition, proud of being part of the airship’s crew, and prouder yet he had taken part in theexpeditionthathadreturnedthisancientrune-weapontohispeople.Iftheyfailednow,heknewthathewouldhavetoshavehisheadandbecomeaSlayertoatoneforhisfailure.Heknewhecouldnotlivewiththeknowledgethattheyhadcomesofar,sufferedsomuch,andyethadfailedatthelast.Heknewitwouldeatawayathimfortherestofhislife.

And a heartbeat after that the thought struck him, he knew the answer to his problem. If hebecameaSlayerhewouldneedtoseekhisdoomincombatagainstthemightiestofmonsters.Beforehimwasoneof themightiest.Hewouldnever findanother sogreat,of thathewassure.Hehadaweaponthatmightkillittoo,althoughatthecostofhislife.Still,itwasamightydeed.Adoomthatwouldcausehisnametoliveforeverintheannalsofhispeopleandbringeternalglorytohisclanandhisancestors.WithasingleactionhecouldbecomeaDragonSlayer,andsavethelivesofallhisfellows.Notwanting togivehimselfachance to reconsiderhisdecision,heacted immediately.Hewrenched thecontrolstickofhisgyrocopter, jammedthe throttle to fullandaimedstraight for thedragonbeforehim.

The rotor blades hit first biting, great chunks out of the dragon’s flesh, then the nose rotorschopped in too. The sudden smashing impact ripped the engine apart, and a massive explosionsmashedthroughVarek’sbody.

Hislastregretbeforedarknesstookhimwasthathewouldneverlivetocompletehisbook.Felixwatched thegyrocopter flashdownon thedragon.At the lastmomenthegot aglimpseof afamiliar face. Varek, he thought, don’t do it! Even if his thought could have influenced Varek’sdecision itwas too late.Thegyrocopter smashed into thedragon. Its rotorbladescarvedoutgreatchunksofdragonflesh.Theforceoftheimpactsmashedthedragondownandawayfromtheairship.Momentslatertherewasamassiveexplosionasthegyrocopteranditscargoofexplosivesignited.Afireballenvelopedthedragonasitfell.Felixcouldseenowayanythingcouldsurvive.Hewaswrong.

The dragon tumbled headlong towards the ground’s hungry embrace. Felix thought that anysecond itwasgoing tosmash into thegroundbut itdidnot.At the lastmoment, itswingssnappedopen,anditsheadlongfallstopped.AsFelixwatcheditbegantomoveupwardsoncemore.Atfirsthefeared itwasunharmedandcomingfor themagain,but then tohis reliefhesawthat its flightwaswobblyandthatitwasheadingoffintothedistance.

Grief tuggedat hisheart.He couldnotbelieveVarekwasgone.Theyoungdwarfhadbeenacompanionononeof hismost dangerous adventures and suddenlyhewas just not there anymore.Death’sclawhad reachedoutand takenhim. Itwasunjust,hedecided, lookingoveratGotrekandSnorritoseehowtheSlayersweretakingit.

Gotrek wore a look of sorrow and respect and something else that Felix could not quiterecognise.“Agooddeath,”hesaidslowlyandpainfully.

“Agreatdeath,”saidSnorri.“Hewillberemembered.”“Hewillbeavenged,”GotreksaidandFelixknewhemeantit.

Agonycoursingthroughhisancientbody,Skjalandirdroppedawayfromtheairship.Inallhislonglifehehadneverfeltsuchpain.Itwasnosatisfactionthatthecreaturewhohadinflictedthewoundhaddiedinthemomenthestruck.Thiswasnotgood.Bestreturntohislairandheal.Therewouldbetimeenoughtoseekrevengeontheseaccursedcreatures.

SIX

AHERO’SWELCOMEFelixstoodonthecommanddeckoftheSpiritofGrungni.Hecouldtelljustbystudyingthegaugesthat thingswerebad.Therewasno response fromabouthalf thedials and theengines.Even fromhere,justthetworemainingmotorssoundedterrible.

Makaissonlimpedthroughthedoor.Felixhadneverseentheengineerlooksoangry.“Bad?”heasked.“Ah’ll say it bloody is. We’re lucky to still be up here. The suspension cables haddin’ the

gondolataethegasbagwirnearfrayedthroughinthreeplaces.Ahhaetheladsmakin’somerepairsbutitsjoostjury-rigstuff.Mattero’timebeforeitahgoeshorriblywrang.”

“Doesn’tsoundgood,”Felixsaid.ThisseemedtogoadMakaissontofurtherfury.“Gasbag’s ripped!Twao’ the injunsarnaeworkin’ right.Hullsbroken inaboot twentyplaces!

We’velosta turretandahbutyinonthegyros.Bloodyhell.Ahtellye.If it’s the last thingahdae,ah’mgannaemakethatdragonpayforthis.It’llruethedayiteverattackedmaairship.”

Felixwinced.HewassurethatMakaissonmeantwhathesaid,buthecouldnotseehowhewasgoingtofulfilhisvow.Theyhadhitthedragonwitheverythingtheyhad,andithadstillflownawayto its lair. Felixwas not even sure they had driven it off.He had a feeling that it had let themgobecauseitsuitedit.TheyhadaboutasmuchchanceofkillingthedragonasFelixhadofbecomingemperor,hereckoned.

OldBoreklimpedontothecommanddeck.Helookedmoreancientthanever.Hisstickmovedfeebly,likethatofablindman,fumblingtofindhisway.Hislongbearddraggedalongthefloor.Heseemedtobeattheendofhisstrength.Thelossofhisnephewhadhithimhard.

“I’msorryaboutVarek,”Felixsaid.“Hewasafinedwarf.”Boreklookedupathimandsmiledsadly.“Hewas,Felix Jaeger.Hewas. I shouldnever have let himcomeon this expedition. I should

neverhavelethimleavetheLonelyTowerbuthewantedtocomesobadly…”FelixrememberedVarek’scourageinthedepthsofKaragDum.Hishabitofjottingeverything

down in his great book.His sometimes annoying cheerfulness.His embarrassing heroworship ofhimselfandGotrek.Hisshortsightedness.Hislight,slightlypedanticvoice.Itwasdifficulttobelievethathewouldnever seeorhear theyoungdwarf again.Hewas surprised. It hadbeen a long timesinceadeathhadaffectedhimthisbadly.

“He was a guid laddie,” Makaisson said. “Ah probably shouldnae hae let him tak me intaeteachin’himtoflythegyro.”

“Ifyouhadn’t,myfriend,Isuspectnoneofuswouldbehererightnow.”“Aye—yerright.Theladdiewisahero.”“Iamthelastofmylinenow,”Boreksaid.Felixsawtwodropsofwaterrunningdowntheold

dwarf’scheeks.Weretheyreallytears?Helookedawaytosparethescholarembarrassment.“Welldinnaeyouworry!We’llgetthebasturdthatkilledhim.It’sjoostgonerighttotheheidof

myveryanelisto’grudges.”Borekjustlookedawayandshookhisheadinsorrow.

MaxSchreiber stood on the rear observation deck, looking out through the cracked crystal of thewindow.Itmusthavebeenshatteredsometimeduring thestrugglewith thedragon,buthewasnot

surehoworwhen.Thewholeairshiplookeddreadful.Internalfixtureshadcomeloose.Thecargocratesandtreasurechestshadbeentossedaroundduringthefight,damagingthemselvesandanythingtheyhadhit.Twoofthecrewhadbeencrushedtodeath.TwelveothershadneededhealingbyMax’smagic.

Hecouldtellthattheairshipwasbadlydamagedjustfromthesickdroneoftheenginesandthelackofheadwaytheyweremaking.Comparedtotheirpreviousprogressthiswasasnail’space.Hewonderediftheywouldevergetwheretheyneededtogo.Itseemedthatthisflighthadbeendoggedbyoneaccidentaftertheother.Itwasalmostasiftheywerecursed.PerhapsMakaisson’sreputationfordisasterwasnotsoill-deservedafterall.

Hewatchedthemountainvalleysdriftbybelowthem.Theywerefollowingthepathofastreamthatdescended towards the lowlands.Heguessed that the torrentofwaterfallswouldbebeautiful ifyouweredownthere,butheknewhewouldneverfindout.Hewouldprobablyneverseetheseplacesagain.Enjoytheview,hetoldhimself.Makethemostofthiswhileyou’rehere.Youwillnevercomethiswayagain.SomehowthecheeryteachingsofhismentorsintheGoldenBrotherhoodseemedjustalittlepreciousintheaftermathofthebattlewiththedragon.Andyetpartofhimknewthatthewordswere true.He should enjoy themoment andhe shouldbeglad.The fight had shownhim just howfragilelifecouldbe,andjusthowquicklyitcouldend.LookatpoorVarekandthedozenorsoothercasualtiesofthefight.

Theenginesstutteredforamoment,thenfellsilent.ForaninstanthefelttheSpiritofGrungnidriftlikearudderlessboatonariver.Please,Sigmar,heprayed,aidus.Don’tletthishappennow.Hefearedinhisheartthatthepowerlessairshipmightdriftintoamountainsideorthatmoreofthegasnacelleswouldburstandtheymightdroptoearth.Inthevalleybelowhesawatinygroupoffiguresmovingalongatspeed.Hewasnotsurebuthethoughthecaughtahintofgreen.

“Orcs,”heheardUlrikasayfromcloseby.Helookedover,surprised.“Youreyesarebetterthanmine,”hesaid.“I’vespentmylifelookingalongtheshaftofanarrow,notreadingbooksbycandlelight,”she

said.“AndIlongagolearnedtorecogniseorcsatagreatdistance.AnyonewholivesontheplainsofKislevdiesswiftlyiftheydonot.”

“Arethegreenskinssofearsomethen?”heasked.Healreadyknewtheanswer,hejustwantedtohearhervoice.

“BadasChaoswarriorsintheirownway.Evenmoresavageandtheydon’tknowwhenthey’redead.I’veseenanorcwith twoarrowsthroughitsheartandhalf itsheadcleavedawaychopdownhalfadozenwarriorsbeforeitdied.”

“SohaveI,”GotrekGumissonsaid.MaxlookedoverattheSlayer.Hismassiveformfilledthehatchwayleadingintotheobservationdeck.Hemovedsurprisinglyquietlyforonesomassive.Maxhadnotheardhimarriveeither.“Butagoodaxewillkillthemallintheend.”

Maxwasrelievedtoheartheenginesstartupagain.Theybegantomoveforwardoncemore.“Whereverwe’regoingIhopewegettheresoon,”hesaid.“We’llhavetowaittillnightandfixourpositionbythestars,”Gotreksaid.“Thenwe’llhavea

betteridea.”Maxwondered if theairshipwouldevenmake it tonightfall.Hehad seen someof the ripped

hawsercables.Itwasamiracletheywerestillhere.“You’reveryquiet,”Ulrikasaid.Felixnoddedanddrewhiscloaktighterabouthim.Itwascoldupatopthegasbagandthewind’sbitewascruel.Theystoodonthedorsalspineoftheairshipwatchingthetwomoonsriseoverthemountains.Itwasasightofstrangeandintensebeauty.

“IwasthinkingaboutVarek.Ineverreallyknewhimandnowhe’sgone.”

“Deathcomestoeveryone,”shesaid.Felixlookedather.Hewonderedifhe’devergetusedtothestrongstreakoffatalisminher.HesupposedbeingbroughtupontheplainsofNorthKislevyougotusedtodeathearly.Hehadnotquitebeensohardenedbeforehesetfootontheadventurer ’spath.BeingbroughtupthesonofarichmerchantinAltdorf,thecapitaloftheEmpire,hadlefthimquitesheltered.Theonlydeathhehadreallybeenawareofwasthatofhismother,whenhewasnineyearsold.Hehadbeentooyoungtoreallyunderstandit.

“Iwaswonderingwhathewouldhavedonedifferentlytodayifhehadgotupknowingthiswashis last day in the world. To tell the truth, I was wondering what I would have done under thecircumstances.”

“Haveyoucometoanyconclusions?”“ImighthavetoldyouthatIlovedyou.”Felixwassurprisedtohearhimselfsaythewords.He

knewhehadwantedtosaythemforawhilebuthadbeenafraidto.Hewasn’tsurewhy.Shewassilentforalongtime.Hewonderedifshehadheardhim.

“Imighthavetoldyouthesamething,”shesaideventually.Hefeltastrangekickinhisstomachwhenshesaidthewords.Heturnedandlookedawayintothedistance.Hefeltasclosetoheratthatmomentasheeverhadtoanybody.

“Might?”heasked.Shesmiledtooandnodded.“Might.”Theymovedalittleapartbuttheirhandsdriftedtogetherandtheirfingersinterlocked.Overhead

thestarsglitteredlikespecksofice.TheSpiritofGrungniploughedonthroughthenight.***

Maxlookedthroughthespyglassatthestars.“You’reright,”Hesaid.“That’sthepolarstar,andthatistheFangoftheWolf.”

Makaissonwasalreadymakinganotationonhischart.Hemoved thecallipers fromthepointthatindicatedtheirpositiontoareddot.“ThenthenearestplacewecanseekrepairsisSlayerKeep,”hesaid.

“SlayerKeep?”Maxenquired.“KarakKadrin.ThecityoftheSlayerKing.Tisagrimweeplace.”“WithanamelikethatIwasn’texpectingsomethingfromaDetlefSierckcomedy.”“Willdaejoostasweelasonywhaurelse,soitwill.”“I’msureitwill,Malakai.You’retheexpert.”“Ayethataham.”Makaisson bellowed orders into the speaking tube. Slowly, like a dying whale, the Spirit of

Grungniresponded,takinganewlinethroughthemountainstowardsthecityoftheSlayerKing.Felix and Ulrika stood on the command deck of the Spirit of Grungni.Ahead of them, dour andforeboding in the clear light of a mountain morning, lay Slayer Keep. It was a massive fortresscarvedfromtheveryrockofthemountainpeak.Itsbuildingshadnotsomuchbeenbuiltascarvedfromthebare rock.Only theouterwallsdiffered.Theywerebuilt frommassivechunksof lichen-encrustedstone.Thestoneworklookedoldasthemountains.

KadrinPeak itselfwasnot thehighestof the localmountainsbyanymeans,but it stoodapartfrom all its surroundings, dominating a massive valley between two chains of higher, grandermountains.Ariverranbelowit.BorekhadtoldFelixthatonceaforesthadfilledthevalley,butthatithadlongagobeenchoppeddowntofeedthefurnacesofSlayerKeep.Belowthecityweresomeofthedeepest,darkestandmostdangerousminesinallthedwarfrealms.TherewereseamsofcoalandirondowntherethathadbeenworkedsincebeforethefoundationoftheEmpire.Theyprovidedthe

rawmaterialsforKadrinsteel,famousthroughthedwarfrealmsandthelandsofmenformakingthefinestofaxeblades.Cloudsofdarkpollutedsmokehungoverthecity.

Felixdidnotthinkhehadeverseenamoreforbiddingplace.Itwasagrimfortressofcrudelycut stone. Knowing the pride that dwarfs took in their masonry, Felix could only guess that thecrudenessof the architecturewas a statementof some sort.KarakKadrin spokeof squatprimitivepower.Itwasacastledesignedtobedefended.Aplacemeanttoenduresiege.Anoutpostinaplaceofinfinitedanger.Hedidnotlikethelookofitparticularly.

Alreadyhecouldseewarriorsgatheringonthewalls.Variouswarengineswerebeingbroughttobearuponthem.Ballistae,catapultsandotherthingsthepurposeofwhichhecouldonlyguesswereall being swivelled towards them. Even though Borek had insisted on draping rune banners frombelowtheSpiritofGrungni, the occupants ofSlayerKeepwere treating themas a potential threat.Felixcouldseethesenseinthat.HadtheairshipappearedoveranycityoftheEmpireitwouldhavecausedsimilarconsternation,evenifitwasflyingthecoloursofKarlFranzhimself.

AsFelixwatched,thelastgyrocopterwhiskedpasttheairshipandspedtowardsthecity.Itwasamachinethatwouldberecognisedbyanydwarf,anditcarriedamessageforUngrimmIronfist,theSlayer King himself.Makaisson threw the engines of the Spirit of Grungni into reverse and theyhoveredjustoutofballistarangewaitingforpermissiontoland.

“Agrimplace,”FelixsaidtoUlrika.Shenoddedagreementtohim.Theyhadbeenstrangelyshyofeachothersincetheirconversationlastnight.Hecouldnotspeakforher,buthewasrelativelynewtoallofthis.HehadfeltnostrongemotionalattachmenttoanyonesincethedeathofKirstenatFortvonDiehl.

“As well it might be, Felix Jaeger,” Borek said from his chair. He looked up at Felix withrheumyold eyes, fromwhich all the sparkof triumphhadvanished. “If youknew its history, youwouldunderstandmore.SlayerKeephasenduredmoresiegesthananyotherdwarfhold,anditisthehome of the Cult of Slayers, and the Shrine of Grimnir, who is the most bloodthirsty of all ourAncestorGods.”

“YousayGrimnirisbloodthirsty.”Ulrikaasked.“Doesheacceptlivingsacrificesthen?”“OnlythelivesofhisSlayers.Hetakestheirdeathinpaymentfortheirsins.Andtheirhair.”BorekmusthavenoticedthestartledlookpassacrossFelix’sface,forheadded,“MostSlayers

taketheirvowbeforethegreataltarofGrimnirdownthere,thatiswheretheyshavetheirheads,thentheyburntheirhairinthegreatfurnace.Outsideisthestreetofskinartists,wheretheyhavetheirfirsttattoosinkedintotheirflesh.”

“DidGotrektakehisvowthere?”Ulrikaasked.Felix tiltedhishead.Thequestionhadcrossedhismindtoo.

“Idon’tbelieveso.Tomyknowledgehehasneversetfootinthiscitybefore,thoughIdonotknowallofhisdeeds.”

“ThenishereallyaSlayer?”askedUlrika.Boreksmiled.“Itdoesnotmatterwhereadwarf takes theoathandshaveshishead.HeisaSlayerwhenit is

done.ManychoosetotaketheoathatGrimnir ’sshrineforthesakeofform.Theyhavetheirnamescarvedonthegreatpillarinthetempleandthatwayallwillknowoftheirpassingfromlife.”

“Butthey’renotyetdead,”Ulrikasaid.“Notyet.Buttofamilyandfriends,toclanandhearth,adwarfisdeadthemomenthetakesthe

oath.ItmaybethatGotrekchoseyouasarememberer,FelixJaeger,becausehehadnotyethadhisnamecarvedonthepillarofwoe.”

“Idon’tfollowyou,”saidFelix.“Noonewould knowof his deed had he fallen in a far placewith no dwarfs towitness it.A

remembererwouldbringwordofhisdoomtous,andseehisnamecarvedonthepillar.”“Thatisnotwhatheaskedmetodo.”Boreksmiledsourly.“ThesonofGurniwasneverconventionalevenbeforehebecameaSlayer.

Oncehegreatlycravedrenown.Ithinkinawayhestilldoes.”Felixwasabouttoaskmorewhenhewasinterruptedbyadullroaringnoisefromthedistance.“Whatisthat?”heasked.“Arewebeingattacked?”ThesoursmilewidenedonBorek’sface.“IwouldguessthattheSlayerKinghasreceivedword

ofourquest’ssuccess.Thatischeeringyouhear.”And indeed it was, thought Felix, as the battered airship half-drifted over the dwarf city. Lookingdownallhecouldseewasaseethingoceanofdwarffaces, lookingup.Hecouldhearroaringandchanting.Drumsbeat,mightyhornssounded.Bannersandflagsweredrapedfromeverywindowofthecity.Felixwonderedwheretheyfoundspacetohouseallthosedwarfs.Thefortresscitydidnotlooklargeenoughtobehometoallofthem.ThenherememberedthatlikethegreaticemountainsfloatingintheSeaofClaws,mostofadwarfholdwashiddenfromsight,leavingonlytheirsmallestportionvisibleonthesurface.

Belowthemhesawanenormousstructure,squatandmassive,withamassivesculptureoftwocrossedaxesinsetinitsroof.StrangerunesweresetonthestoneworkthatremindedFelixofthosehehadseenblazingonGotrek’saxe.Heguessedtheyheldsomemysticalsignificancefordwarfs.

He lookedatUlrikaandsmiled. Itwas thefirst timeinhis lifehecouldeverrememberbeingwelcomedasaheroanywhere.Grey Seer Thanquol looked at Lurk. Lurk glared back at the magician with loathing in his eyes.Thanquol’smagichadbroughtdownagrazingelk.LurkhadconsumedmostofitbeforeThanquolhadevenburiedhissnoutintheflesh.Hewasnotbestpleased.

Granted,heneeded far lessmeat thanhismutatedhenchman,andhecouldnothaveeatenonehundredthofwhatLurkhadanyway,butthatwasnotthepoint.Itwasthedisrespectthatgalledhim.Hewasagreyseer.Lurkwasalowlywarriorevenifhewasnowahugeandpowerfulmutant.HeshouldhavewaitedtillafterThanquolatehisfillbeforebeginningthisdisgustingorgyofconsumption,andheshouldhaveaskedThanquol’sleavetoeat.Hewas,afterall,amerelackey.

BrieflyThanquolconsideredpointingthisout.Verybriefly.LurkwasnowfarmorephysicallypowerfulthanThanquol.Theseer ’sfullmagicalpowerhadyettocomebackafterthebattle,andhehadonly the smallest pieceofwarpstone left to augment his energies.Hewanted to save it for anemergency.

No,hedecided.ItwasmerelyprudentskavencautiontoavoidaconfrontationwithLurkatthismoment.Heknewhewasphysicallynomatchforthegreatbrute.Butthenagain,heconsoledhimself,whatdidthatmatter?Asafeebleandskinnyrunthehadusedhisgiganticintellecttoexactvengeanceonskavenfarlargerandstrongerthanhe.Thesamethingwouldhappenhereeventually,ofthathewas certain.Also, the thought had crossed hismind that themoreLurk ate now, the less likely hewouldbetemptedtokillandeatThanquollater.Thegreyseerhadseensomeofthehungryglanceshisminionhadbeenshootingathim.Theywereinnosensereassuring.

“Where are we, most knowledgeable of navigators?” Lurk asked. Thanquol wondered if hedetectedjustahintofironyinLurk’stone.Hedismissedthethoughtinstantly.Lurkwasfartoostupidtomockhismaster.

“We are coming ever nearer to our destination,” Thanquol replied with his best oracularvagueness.

“Andwhereexactlyisthat,mostsagaciousofseers?”“Ceasethisrelentlessbadgering,Lurk.Ifitwasinyourbestintereststoknowourwhereabouts,

revealthemtoyouIwould.Letmeworryaboutsuchmatters.Youjustcontinuetoeat!”There, thought Thanquol, that showed Lurk. And it gave him some time to think, whichwas

good.For,ifthetruthbetold,Thanquolhadnoideawheretheywere.Inthestormtheyhadwanderedaimlessly. The driving rain had obscured everything more than a few tail lengths from view. Heguessed that theywereoncourse, for themountainswerestill aheadof them.Once there it shouldsimplymean following the path southwards until they came upon a gateway to the Underways. Ifworstcametoworst,Thanquolknewhecouldalwaysusesomeofhispowertocastadivinationspell.Come to think of it, it might be worth telling Lurk that. It might prevent the massive dolt frombrainingThanquolwhileheslept.

ThanquolconsideredsneakingoffwhileLurkrested,andmakinghisownwayback.Twothingsprevented it.Hesuspected thathemightbe saferwith themutanthereon theplains.TheKisleviteswould doubtless attack the larger of them first on the mistaken assumption that it was the mostdangerous. The second reasonwas that Thanquol suspected Lurkmightwell be able to track himdown.HissenseswereaskeenasanyskavenThanquolhadeverknown.Andinthatcasesneakingoffwould only leaveThanquolwith the onerous task of explaining his business. ForLurk in his newimpudentstatemighttakeexceptiontosuchbehaviouronthegreyseer ’spart.PrudentskavencautionarguedforstayingwithLurkatleastforthemoment.

Once this was over, though, Thanquol swore, things would be different. He would exact avengeanceonLurkthatwouldbespokenofinterrifiedwhispersbyfuturegenerations.Thatwouldteachhimtoheapsuchindignitiesontheheadofagreyseer.AllexcepttheskeletoncrewoftheSpiritofGrungniwereusheredtowards thepalaceof theSlayerKing. An honour guard of warriors clashed their axes upon their shields. Hargrim and the othersurvivors of Karag Dum had looked stunned at the sheer scale of their welcome. They had oncebelievedthemselvestheonlydwarfsleftintheworld.Nowtheyknewdifferently.Felixfeltproudtobethere.Thecheersofthecrowdsstillranginhisears.Hecouldrecalldwarfchildrenrunningintothestreettotouchthehemofhiscloaksothattheycouldtelltheirdescendantstheyhaddoneso.Untiltheyhadpushedtheirwaythroughthemassedcheeringthrong,Felixhadnoideaofthescaleoftheirdeedorwhatitreallymeanttothedwarfpeople.

HisassociationwithGotrek,characterisedas itwasmostlybyoutlawryandfailure,had innowaypreparedhimforthis.Itwaslikebeingaking.PerhapsthisishowEmperorKarlFranzfelteverytimeherodethoughAltdorf,Felix thought,andturnedandbeamedatUlrika.Shesmiledupathimproudly. It seemed she too had no idea of what the Spirit of Grungni had accomplished until thismoment.

Looking at his companions, Felix felt happier than he had in a long time. The acclaim evenseemed to have raised the spirits of Borek andMakaisson, and sinceVarek’s death these two hadlookedasthoroughlymiserableasanydwarfsFelixhadeverseen,whichwassayingsomething.

OnlyGotreklookedglum.Hisexpressionwasassourasthatofamansuckingonalemon.Heglared at the crowd from under his bristling brows with his one good eye, and paused only tooccasionallyspitatanonlookerwhocametooclosetotouchinghisaxe.

“Whysogloomy?”Felixasked.Gotrekshothimaglarethatwouldhavedauntedanybodyelse.“Iwanttoknowforthetellingofyourtale,”Felixadded.

“Tisofnoconsequence,”Gotreksaid.“Anditwouldnotdotomentionitinmydeathpoem.”“Tellmeanyway.”Gotreksuckedhisfewremainingteeth,spatontheground,andworkedhisthumbintotheempty

socket below his eyepatch. Felix thought he was not going to reply, but then a shame-faced lookpassedacrosstheSlayer ’sface.“IwasthinkingthatifIhaddiedslayingthedaemon,itwouldhave

beenthemightiestdoomeverachievedbyaSlayer.Alaughable,emptyvanity,manling,butitcrossedmymind.”

Felixdidnotknowwhattosaysohekeptquiet.UlrikalookedatGotrek,astonished,asifshehadneverconsideredthedwarfcapableofsuchanadmission.“Well,Iamgladyou’restillalive,andthatyoubroughtFelixback.”

ToFelix’sastonishmenttheSlayerlaughed.HelookedasifhewasgoingtoclapUlrikaonthebackbutcaughthimself,andforcedhimselftolookgrimoncemore.Heglaredattheground,asifembarrassed. At that moment, Felix caught some indication of how much this approbation reallymeanttotheSlayer,howmuchitactuallymeanttohimtobecheeredbyhispeople,andjusthowwellhewashidingit.

I’mhappyforhim,thoughtFelix;hehaslittleenoughinhislifetogivehimjoy.TheSlayerKingwasamorose-lookingdwarf,squatandpowerfullikeallhisrace,hishaircutinthedistinctivecrestedfashionfavouredbytheCultofGrimnir.Hisfeaturesweremassiveandhisnosewas long and beaky.His eyes glitteredwith amaniacal intelligence.His voicewhen he spokewasresonant and powerful. “Greetings, Borek Forkbeard. Greetings, Gotrek, son of Gurni. GreetingsSnorriNosebiter.GreetingsMalakai,sonofMakai.”

Felix feared theSlayerKingwasgoing togreet themallbyname,andhis fearsprovedwell-founded.Hedidso.

“You have performed a deed of great renown, all of you. Not in all the long years since Iascendedmy father ’s thronehave Iheardof suchheroism.The returnofFirebeard’shammer is ablessingbeyondmeasuretothekingdomofthedwarfs,andallthekinofGrungnihavecausetothankyouthisday.IfthereisanyboonIcangrantyou,youhavebuttonameitand—”

“Aye,thereis,”saidMakaisson.TheSlayerKingpaused and eyedMakaissonbalefully.Hewas just getting intohis oratorical

strideandobviouslyhadnotanticipatedanyinterruptionsjustyet.Felixwonderedifalldwarfkingsweresolong-winded.

“Youhavebuttotellme,andifit’sinmypower—”“Ahwantaworkshopandtheserviceoftwentyblacksmiths,andahwanttokeneverythin’you

canfinootabootabigbeasto’adragonthatdwellsabootfiftyleaguesnorthwesto’here…”A gasp passed around the room. “That would be Skjalandir, the ancient firedrake. Why?”

enquiredtheSlayerKing,obviouslyshockedtobrevity.“Ah’mgannaekillthebasturd,”Makaissonsaid.“Stonedeid!”“AndI’mgoingtohelphim,”Gotreksaid.“SnorriNosebiterwilltoo,”saidSnorri.Ahugeroarofapplausepassedthroughthechamber.“TrulyyouarestalwartexamplestoSlayerstheworldover,”saidtheSlayerKing.“Youhaveno

soonerreturnedfromonemightydeedthanyoushowwillingtostartanother…”Listening to this madness, it struck Felix that there was a larger issue here which should be

addressed.While the Slayers were excited about the prospect of facing the dragon once more, amassiveChaosarmywason themove. In thegreat schemeof thingshewassure itposeda largerthreattotheworldthanasingledragoneverwould.Hethoughthesawanopportunityheretomakeadifference,andtohelpUlrika’speopleandhisown.

“There is another thingworthmentioning,”Felix spokeup.All eyes in thechamber turned tohim.Hefeltsuddenlyself-conscious.Hewaswellawarethatnotallthedwarfslookingathimwerepleasedthatahumanwasdaringtospeakinthethroneroomoftheirking.

“Andwhatisthat,FelixJaeger?”askedtheSlayerKing.“AhugeChaosarmyapproachesfromthenorth.”

“Doesitpursueyou?”theSlayerKingasked.Felixpausedforamoment to thinkabout this.Itwassomethinghehadneverconsidered.HadtheirdeedsinKaragDumbeenthestartofallthis,thepebblethatcausedtheavalanche?Hedoubtedit.Thewholeideawastoofarfetched.

“No.Idonotthinkso.”“Thenwhyisitaproblem?Icanseethatif—”“BecausesoonitwillenterKislev,andif it isnotstoppedthere, itwill thrustonwardsintothe

landsofdwarfsandmen.”“Surelythatisabridgethatwillbecrossedwhenwecometoit?”Felix could see that this was going to be the old, old story. The forces of Darkness were

someoneelse’sproblem.Menanddwarfswouldnotunitetheirforcesuntilafteritwastoolate.Theenemywouldbedealtwithonlyonce itbecamean immediate threat. In themeantimeothers couldfight anddie facing it. Felix realisedhewasbeingunfair but he felt a little angry.Hehad learnedenough about dwarfs not to let his anger show.They became unbearably stubborn in any formofconflict.

“IsupposeallthegloryoffacingitwillbelongtothepeopleofKislevandtheirImperialalliesthen,”hesaidcalmly.Aquietcameovertheroom,andheknewhehadtheirfullundividedattention.“Imentioned it only because this dwarfhold is known as Slayer Keep, and when the Chaos forcearrivestherewillbemanymightymonsterstoslayanddreadfulfoestoface.”

Amurmurwent around the room.Felix knew that hiswordswouldbepassed around the cityswiftly.Evenifthekingofferednoaid,hefeltsurethatmanySlayerswouldgotoKislevinthehopeofachievingamightydeath.Tomakehispointabsolutelyclearly,headded,.“Itwouldbeagreatandmemorabledoomtofallinsuchabattle.Afterall,whodoesnotrememberthoseheroeswhofellindefenceofPraagduringthelastgreatwaragainstChaos?”

UngrimmIronfist’sreplysurprisedFelix.“Thatwasbutashorttimeagoasdwarfsreckonsuchthings,FelixJaeger,butyourpointiswelltaken.Iwillthinkuponwhatyouhavesaid.”

Ofcourse,Felixthought,dwarfslivelongerthanmen,andtheirrecordsstretchbackfurther.Tothemtwocenturieswasnotsolongago.OldBorektherehadactuallybeenaliveduringthelastgreatChaosincursion.Borek’srheumyeyescaughtFelix’sglanceandseemedtobeawareofwhathewasthinking.Theolddwarfleanedforwardonhisstaffandspoke.

“FelixJaegerspeakstogoodpurpose,yourmajesty.IcanindeedrecallthelastwarwithChaosanditwasadreadful thing.Ifanothersuchconflict is in theoffingwehadbestpreparenow,makenewalliancesandstandbytheoldones.ForthoseofuswhohavebutrecentlybeenintheWasteshaveseenthisfoeatfirsthandandknowhowterribleitis.”

TheSlayerKingnodded.Borekcontinuedtospeak.“ItmaybethattheHammerofFirebeardwasreturnedtousatthistimebythewilloftheAncestorGodstoaidusinthecomingbattle.Perhapsallofthisispartofagreaterdesignthanwecancomprehend.”

“IwillseekguidanceattheTempleofGrimnir,”saidtheSlayerKing.“Itmaywellbethatwhatyousayistrue.”

Felixfeltgratefultotheolddwarfforhiswisdomandunderstanding.“That’sawveryweil,”Makaissonsaid.“Ahstillwantthatdragondeid.Ahwouldliketouseyour

engineeringshopsandyourforges.Ahthinkahhaeanideao’hootaedaeit.”“Whateveryourequireshallbeprovided,MalakaiMakaisson,andmyownpersonalengineers

shallbeputatyourservice.”Makaisson did not look quite so happy at this, Felix thought.He guessed that the prospect of

sharing his newdesignswith the king’s engineers did not thrill him.Likemany a dwarf engineer,Makaissonpreferredtokeephissecrets,Felixguessed.Ontheotherhand,hecouldnotturndownthe

king’s offer with good grace and still expect aid. Makaisson seemed to have come to the sameconclusion.

“Aye,weel,that’lldaefine.”FelixandUlrikainspectedtheirchamber.ItwasspartaninthestylehehadcometoexpectatKarakKadrin, but at least thebed andother furnishingswerebuilt on a human scale. Itwasobvious thisplacewasdesignedforhumanemissariesandequallyobviousthatithadnotbeenusedinsometime.Theairsmelledalittlemusty.Insteadofblanketsamassoffurscoveredthebed.

“Ithoughtthatwasnevergoingtoend,”Ulrikasaid.“Dwarfscanbeverylong-windedwhentheywanttobe.”

Felixagreed.“True.Stillthiswasanimportantthingforthem.InsomewaysIsupposeitwouldbeasifoneoftheRunefangshadbeenlostandreturnedtotheEmpire.Probablymoreso.Firebeard’shammerappearstohavereligioussignificancetothem.”

“Everything seems to,”Ulrika said.Therewas anundertoneof antagonism toherwords.Sheseemedtobewantingtodisagreewithhim,andhewithher.TheyhadbeenthiswayeversincetheirtalkthatnightontheSpiritofGrungni.Felixguessedtheywerebothnervousaboutwhat thefutureheldforthem.Hereachedoutandstrokedhercheek.Shecaughthishandandturneditpalmuptokissit.

“Whatisgoingtohappentous,Felix?”sheaskedsuddenly.Felixlookedather.Hewaswonderingthathimself.Allthroughthislongdaytherehadbeena

strangetensionbetweenthem,anundertoneofangerthathedidnotquiteunderstand.Whatwastheretobesonervousabout?Theyhadsurvivedthetriphere,livedthroughanencounterwithadragon,andtheneardestructionoftheairship.Whyweretheybehavingsonow?

He looked down at her beautiful face. She had never seemed so lovely. He searched for ananswertoherquestionwithinhimself.Perhapsitwastheveryfactthattheyweresafethatwascausingthemthisstress.Now,atleastforthemoment,therewerenoexternalthreatstodistractthem,nothingtokeepthemfromthequestionthatwasnowbeingasked.Whatwastobecomeofthem?

Theirlivesweresouncertain.AmassiveChaosarmyapproachedfromthenorth.Perhapsitwastheharbingeroftheendoftheworld.Somewherefartothenorthherfatherandhisridersmightevennowbefacingtheoncominghorde.Gotrek,MalakaiandSnorriNosebiterseemeddeterminedtogoandfacethedragon.UlrikahadbeenchargedwithamissiontotheIceQueen.Shealmostcertainlywouldhavenohometogobackto.Andwhatcouldheofferher?

He was not rich. He had been disowned by his family and then rejected their offer ofreconciliation.Hewasmerelya landlesswandererbound to record theSlayer ’sdoom.Worse thanthat,hewasstartingtosuspectthatitwashisowndoomtoo.HeandGotrekhadtravelledsofarandsurvivedsomuchthattheirdestiniesseemedintertwined.HecouldalmostbelievethattheSlayerwasdestinedtoperformsomeworld-shakingdeedanditwashisdutytowitnessit.

Herealisedthatthesilencehadstretchedformanyheartbeatsandhestillhadnotansweredher,thathehadnoanswertogive.“Idonotknow,”hesaidsoftly,“andIwishIdid.”

“SodoI,”shesaid.“SodoI.”Sheleanedforwardandkissedhim,andtheyfellentwinedontothebed.

MaxSchreiberstalkedthestreetsofKarakKadrin,knowingthathehadfoundwhathewaslookingfor.Aroundhim thebuildingswerehigher, thedoorways taller. In thenarrowalleyways, he couldhear human voicesminglingwith the deeper tones of the dwarfs.Men andwomen of the Empirelooked at him from the open fronts of shops. They sat among their goods. Some looked at himspeculatively, seeinghim forwhat hewas.Others shouted invitations to him to come in and studytheirwares.Maxsmiled.Evenintheseremotemountains,inthiscitadeloftheElderRace,therewasa

smallhumanquarter.Menanddwarfswereboundbymanyancienttiesoffaithandalliance,butnoneweremoreancientthanthebondsoftrade.Hehadknownthatevenhere,inthisdistanthighlandcity,hewould findmerchants, andwith themawayofcommunicatingwithhisorderandhisallies.Hereachedinsidehisrobesandfoundtheletterhehadwrittenandclosedwithhisownrune.Hesmiled,feelingthemagichehadwovenintoit.Noonebutamemberofhisorderwouldbeabletoopentheletterwithoutthescriptvanishinglikemistinthemorningsun.

Justincase,though,hehadwrittenthemessageincodewhichhehopedwasreadableonlytooneofhisfellows.IntheletterhehadputallheknewoftheSpiritofGrungni’sjourneyandtheoncomingChaosarmy.Hementionedtheincreasedskavenactivityalongtheborderandhedescribedindetailhisencounterwiththegreyseerandthespellsthatithadunleashed.Inthisway,hethought,evenifsomethinghappenedtohim,thosewhocameafterwouldbebetterpreparedtodealwiththeratmanthreat. Inawayitwasa testament tohis lifeaswellasareport tohissuperiors in theorderof theGoldenHammer.Heknewhis reportwas timely. Ithadbeena long timesinceanymemberof theancientsocietyhadventuredasfarnorthasMaxhad,andevenknowingwhathedidaboutthePowersofChaos,hehadbeenshockedbywhathehadseenandheard.ThearmofChaoshadgrownlong,andKislevitselfwasthreatened.AndKislevwasthebulwarkoftheEmpireagainsttheincursionsofChaos.Ifitfell,thenthehordesofDarknesscoulddrivedeepintothelandsofmen.Andhedidnotdoubtthatmanytraitorswouldriseuptoaidthem,andthemonstersandmutantsofthewoodswouldemergeand…

MaxknewonlytoowellhowfrailtheEmpirewas,andhoweasilyitmightfallintodarkness.Itwaswhathisorderhadbeenformedtoguardagainst.Heknewthathemustsendawarning.Hehopedtodeliverithimselfinperson,butthefuturewasnevercertain,andwhoknewwhatmighthappentohim?Thisletterwasasafeguardagainstill-chance.Evenifheweretodie,hehopedhiswarningandhisknowledgewouldfinditswayintotherighthands.

He paused in front of a tavern, bearing the sign of the Emperor ’s Griffon. He knew that heneededtofindtradersreturningtothelandsofmen,preferablysomewhowereheadingallthewaytoMiddenheim.Thiswasaplacehehadbeentoldhemightfindsome.Hetookadeepbreathandenteredthebeerywarmthofthetavern’sinterior.

Asheenteredtheplacefellsilent.Heknewhehadbeenrecognisedasoneofthemenwhohadarrivedon the airship.Heglanced around and smiled. Immediately someoneoffered to buyhimadrink.Hesmiledhisacceptanceandpreparedhimselftoanswerathousandquestions.

Hopefully,afterthat,hewouldfindsomeonetodeliverhismessage.Felixlookedoutofthechamberwindow.Itwassmallandcircular,andcoveredwiththickwell-madeglass.Throughit,hecouldseeafineviewof themountainsopposite.Behindhim,heheardUlrikastironthebed.

“Imustbeleavingsoon,”shesaid.Felixnodded,wonderingwhatbusinessshehadhereintheSlayerKing’spalace.

“Whereareyougoing?”“ThecourtoftheIceQueen.”Hecontinuedtogazeatthemountainopposite,noticingthecrown

ofcloudsarounditspeak.Suddenlythemeaningofherwordssankin,andheswungaroundtolookather.

“Rightnow?”heasked,hisheartsinking.“Nowisasgoodatimeasany.Ihaveamessagetodelivertomyqueen.”“Youcan’t,”Felixsaid.Herposturestiffened.Herfacebecameacontrolledmask.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?WhoareyoutotellmewhatIcanorcannotdo?”“Iamnottryingtotellyouwhattodo.”Felixknewthatshewasright.Hehadmeanttotellher

shecouldnotgo,hedidnotwantherto,butatthesametimehealsoknewhehadnopoweroverher.Hesearchedforawaytoretrievethesituation.“Iwasjustsayingyoudon’tknowtheway.”

“IdaresayIcanfindout.Someoneheremustknowthewaybacktohumanlands.”Shesoundedunreasonablyangry.Onceagain,Felixsuspectedshewastryingtopickafight.“Thekingwillknowforsure,andtheremustbelibrarieswithmaps.Perhapshecanarrangeaguide.”

“WhynotwaituntiltheSpiritofGrungni isrepaired.Itwillsurelygetyoutheremuchquickerthanyourowntwofeet.Andalotmoresafely.”

“Inthewayitgotusheresafelyyoumean?”“Yes.No.Imean,onceit’srepaireditcancrossthesemountainsahundredtimesasswiftlyasa

manorwomanonfoot.”“Maybe,buthowlongwillthattake?AndwhosaysImustgoafoot?Surelytheremustbesome

horsesinthiscity.”“Dwarfsarenotfamousfortheircavalry,”hetoldher.“There’snoneedtobesarcastic.”“Iamnotbeingsarcastic.Theydon’tusehorsesmuchsavetodrawcarts,andaspitponies.”“Therearehumantradershere.”“Weareinthemountains.Theymostlikelyusemules,ifanything.”“Youhaveananswerforeverything,don’tyou?”Where did this anger come from, Felix wondered?Why were they both so prickly? He was

confused.Thiswasnotlikethestorieshehadread,theplayshehadseen.Therewereemotionsherelurkingbelowthesurface,likepikeinapond.Emotionsthatdidnotseemlogicallyconnectedwiththeirwordsorwiththeirrelationship,andwhichheknewweresomehowpartofit.Howcouldhebeattractedtothiswoman,careforher,andstillbesoannoyedbyherattitude?Howcouldshefeelthesamewayabouthim?Somewherehefelttherewasagapbetweenhisimageofloveandtherealityofit,anditwasnotsomethinghehadbeenpreparedforbybooksandpoems.

“No,”hesaideventually,“Idon’t.Ijustdon’twantanythingbadtohappentoyou.”Hehopedhisexpressionofconcernmightpacifyheralittlebutitdidnot.“Somethingbadhas

alreadyhappened,”shesaid.“It’shappeningtotheentireworld.”Felixcouldnotfaultherreasoningthere.Hefeltthesameway.Hereachedouttopullherclose,

butshebackedaway.Unreasoninglyannoyed,heturnedandwalkedawayhimself.Thedoormadeasatisfyingslammingnoisebehindhim,butalreadyhefeltweak,andfoolishandguilty.Max poured another goblet ofwine for his newfound companions. If they had noticed that he hadslowedhisowndrinkingtheydidnotseemtocare.BorisBlackshieldandhisbrother,Hef,wereharddrinkingmen,andweren’ttoopickyaboutwhopaidthetab.Afterall,asBoriswasquicktopointout,withtheManflayerlooseinthemountains,andthedragonburningthevales,whoknewwhetheryouwouldbealivetomorrow?Heseemedproudofthefactthatheandhisbrotherblewalloftheirpayascaravanguardsassoonastheyhittown,andwouldleaveagainwithnothingintheirpursessavetheirfire-makingflints.Afterall,itjustmeantthatanyorcthatkilledthemwouldn’tmakeaprofitonthetransaction. Max didn’t really care. Their caravan master had already retired to his chamber butbeforehedidsohehadagreedtodeliverMax’smessagetoacertainaddressintheUlrikstrasseinMiddenheim,on theunderstanding thathewouldreceiveseveralgoldcoins forhis trouble.Seeingtheglint in themerchant’seye,Maxdidnotdoubt itwouldbedelivered.TheUlrikstrassewasonlytwostreetsawayfromthemarkettowhichthemerchantwasbound,andtwogoldpieceswasaheftyrewardforashortstep.Maxknewhemostlikelyshouldhaveleftafterconcludingthebargain,butwhenhehadheardmendiscussingtheroadtothedwarfcityhehaddecidedtostay.Afterall,hemighthavetowalkhome,iftheSpiritofGrungnicouldnotberepaired,anditdidnoharmtofindoutabit

aboutone’sroute.Unfortunately,whatheheardwasmorethanalittlediscouraging.“TellmeaboutthisManflayeragain,”hesaidtoHef.“Youdon’twanttoknow.”“Humourme,andassumeIdo.”“Bigorcchieftain,heis,andabadone.Likestoskinhisenemiesaliveandmakehistentfrom

theircuredflesh.Theysayhe’sassemblinganarmyofgreenskins in themountains,and intends todrivethedwarfsoutoftheircities.”

“Thatdoesn’tseemverylikely.ThisisthestrongestfortressIhaveeverseen…”“ExceptMiddenheim,”Borissaiddrunkenly.“ExceptMiddenheim,”Maxagreedgently.“Surelynomereorcwarlordcouldtakeit.”“Youcannevertellwithorcs,”saidHef.“They’resneakyandcleversavagesandtheysaythis

onehasashamanbehindhim,ashamanwithpowerfulmagic.”Maxfeltapricklingofprofessionalinterest.“I’dliketohearaboutthisshaman.”“Don’t know much,” Hef said. “Just heard tales from the survivors of the caravans they

attacked.”“Not that there’smanyof them,”saidBoris.“Andallof themwasfast runners.Who takes the

wordofyellow-bellies?”“Justtellmewhatyouheard,”Maxsaidpersuasivelyandpouredmorewine.“Theysayhespeakswiththeoldorcgods,”saidBoris.“Andthatthegodslisten,”addedHef.“Thegodslistentoeveryonewhopraystothem,”saidMax.“Idon’timaginethatorcgodsare

muchdifferentfromours.”“Thedifferenceisthattheorcgodsanswerthisshaman’sprayers.Theysayhecantumblecliffs

withahowlandsmashthewallsoffortswithawaveofhishand.”“Maybehe’lldoittothewallsofthiscity,”saidHef.Max doubted it. The dwarfs had worked runes into their walls that were as potent as any

defensivespellknowntoman,andmorepowerfulthanmost.Itwouldtakemorethansomehowlingspellshoutertotumblethemdown.Maxwaspossessedofagreatdealofknowledgeaboutdefensivemagic,andhedoubtedthathecouldprotectthiscityanybetterifhehadahundredgoodapprenticesandtwentyyearstoworkin.Itwasn’tplaceslikeKarakKadrinthatwereatrisk,heknew.Itwasthesmallvillagesandtradertownsalongtheway.

Inanycase,though,whathewashearingwasn’tgood.Thereweredragonsinthemountainsandorcwarbandsgathering.Inthenorth,aChaoshordeadvanced,andhehadseenforhimself that theskavenwereactiveoncemore.Itlookedlikeallthoseseersprophesyingdarktimesa-cominghadtheright of it. Theworldwas in a badway, he thought.Maybe he should drink somemorewine.Hefoughtdowntheurge.

“Tellmeaboutthedragon,”hesaid.“It’sbigandit’sbadandit’sburnedmostofthevillagesbetweenhereandtheeasternlands.”“That’sallyouknow?”“It’sanoldbeastorsoI’veheard,sleptforcenturiesuntilsomethingwokeit.”“Wokeit?”“Aye. They say two hundred years ago it took up residence in a cave on DragonMountain,

ravaged the landand then justassuddenlyvanished.Some thought ithaddied. It seemsnowitwasonlysleeping.Theysaydragonscandothat.Sleepforcenturies.”

“Veryolddragonsdothat,”saidMax.“SoI’veread.”

“Youcanread?”askedBoris.“Aye.Havesomemorewine.”The sellswords drank and talked butMax was not listening too closely anymore. Could the

dragonreallyhavesleptforallthistime?Andifso,whathadwakenedit?Maybeit’sjustthecomingofChaos,hethought.Maybeit’sjustasignofthetimes.

Orperhapsitwassomethingelseentirely.Therewasapatternemerginghere,hefeltsureofit.Hesensedsomethingdarkandevilatwork.The forge blazed brightly.The heatwas sweltering. Felix noticed it as soon as hewalked into thechamber.Hehaltedforamomentandtookadeepbreath.Hisangerhadburneddownnowandhefeltmoreguiltythanever.PerhapsheshouldgobackandspeaktoUlrikaandpatchthingsup.Partofhimwantedtodothatandpartofhimfoughtstubbornlyagainst it.Thelatterpartwon.Anyway,hehadcomeheretofindsomethingout,andhemightaswellcontinue.

Heglancedaround,lookingforMakaisson.Amidtheheatandfumes,itwasdifficulttobesureifhewas there.Thereweremanydwarfspresentworkingbellows,hammeringcherry-hotmetal intonewshapes,workingwithoddenginesthepurposeofwhichFelixcouldnotevenbegintoguessat.All of them were moving with the sort of purposefulness that only dwarfs with a mission couldmuster.

“Where’sMakaisson?”heasked,reachingoutandgrabbingtheshoulderofthenearestpassingdwarf.Thesquatmuscularfigurejerkedathumbinthedirectionofoneoftheotherdoorwaysandcontinuedonhisway.

Felixmoved through the workroom and ducked his head as he entered the chamber beyond.Makaissonwasthereallright,bendinglowoveratablecontainingplansandschematicsmarkedwithwhatFelixrecognisedas therunesusedbytheEngineersGuild.Helookedupas themancamein,suckedhisteethandsaid,“Aye,weel,whautcanahdaeforye,youngFelix?”

“IwaswonderingwhentheSpiritofGrungniwillbereadytoleave.”“Acoupleo’weeksmaestlikely.Plentyo’timetogetthisstuffsortedootandgaethatbloody

dragonaguidseein’tae.”“You’renotserious,”saidFelix,althoughheknewtheSlayerEngineerwasmostlikelyalltoo

serious.HehadhopedtheairshipwouldberepairedsoonandcouldcarryUlrikaall thewaytothecourtoftheIceQueen.Hehadhopedthatitmighttakehimwithher.

“Ah am so. That big lizard damn near smashedma airship, and he killed pare youngVarek.That’sagrudgetaeitscreditthatah’llsoonbesettlin’,believeyoume.”

“How?Webarelyscratchedthething.”“Aye,well,ahhaeafewthoughtsaboot that,don’tyeworry.There’safewweeenginesah’ve

haudtheideao’foryears,andrightnoo,ahthinkisasguidatimeasonytobebuildin’them.”“WhatgoodcananyweaponsdoagainstathingasmightyasSkjalandir?”“Ahwouldhaethochtthatbynooye’shaemarefaithinmamachines,FelixJaeger.”“Idohavefaithinyourskill,Malakai,but—”“Well,ahdon’tsupposeahcanblameye.Itwasabloodybigbeastierichtenough.Evensoitcan

stillbekilledwiththerightweapon.Anylivin’thingcan.”“Sowhatareyoubuilding?”Felixasked,glancingoverattheplans.Malakaimovedbetweenhim

andthespreadsheetsofparchment.Likealldwarfengineers,Felixguessedhecouldbemorethanalittletouchywhenitcametosharinghisdesignswiththeworld.Averysecretivepeople,thedwarfs.

Makaisson looked up at him for a moment then grinned. “Tak a look if ye want,” he said,steppingaside,“Thoughahdoobtye’llbeabletomakehadenortailo’them.”

Felixlookeddownandsawthatthedwarfwasright.Thebluepaperswerecoveredinsquiggles.

Tosomeofthelineswereattachedrunicsymbols,tootherstherewerenone.Itwaslikelookingatascrollinscribedbyaparticularlydementedastrologer.

“You’reright.Ihavenoideawhattheseare,”hesaid.“Whatisit?”Makaissonrubbedhismeatyhandstogetherinsatisfaction.“Ye’llfindootsoonenough,don’tye

worry.Noo,ootyego,youngFelix.Ahhaegotaloto’worktaedae,andnoallthatmuchtimetodaeitin.”

WiththatheshooedFelixoutoftheworkshopandintothestreet.Felixtrudgedbacktowardsthepalace.ItwastimetobringUlrikathenews.Somehowhejustknewshewasn’tgoingtobepleased.

SEVEN

PREPARATIONSFelixlookedaroundthetavernblearily.Hedidnotcareforit.TheIronDoorwasahauntoflowlifes—Slayers,tunnelfighters,renegadeengineers,outcastmercenariesandothers.IthadthereputationforbeingthenastiesthellholeinthecityoftheSlayerKing,whichwassayingsomething.Forallthat,henoticed,thescarredandsurlydwarfsweregivingtheirtableawideberth.Felixwasquitegladofit.Hewasnowtheonlyhumanpresent,andhedidnotdoubtthatifhehadnotbeeninthecompanyofGotrekandSnorri,hewouldhavebeenindeeptrouble.

Heknewhewasdrunk.Itseemedthatinthepastfewdayshehaddoneverylittleexceptdrink.WhileUlrikastudiedmapsandmadereadytodepart,BorekandMaxscouredthelibrariesformoreinformationonthedragonandMalakaibuilthismachines,heandtheSlayershaddonelittleelsebutthrowdownale.Andwhynot?Therewasnothingelsetodo.HisfightswithUlrikahadgottenworse,andtheprospectofheadingouttotheDragonMountaindidnotfillhimwithgoodcheer.Whynotgetdrunk?Whynotenjoyhimself?

WherewasMax?Thewizardhaddisappearedagain.Hehadonlystayedlongenoughtodrinkafewgobletsofwineandtellthemwhathehadfoundout.Thethingshehadsaidwereenoughtodriveanymantodrink.Skjalandirwasoldandpowerful.Hehadawokenafewmonthsagoandinthattimehehadalreadydrivenmostofthedwarfsoutofthehighvalleysandburneddownmostofthetowns.AforceofmercenarieshiredbyvillagershadneverreturnednorhadanyofthemanySlayerswhohadsetouttokillhim.ItwasfearedthatonedaysoonthemonsterwouldattackKarakKadrin.Noonehadanyideawhatwouldhappenthen,buttheyallknewitwouldbebad.Sowhynotgetdrunk?Ulrikamight not approve, but sowhat?As she had pointed out, he could not tell herwhat to do sowhyshould he let her order him about?Hewould get drunk if hewanted to, nomatter howmuch shesulked.

Andnowhewasdrunk,gloriouslyso.Theyallwere:Gotrek,SnorriNosebiter,andhimself.Hewasperhapsatriflelessinebriatedthantheothersbutitwastouchandgo.HehadnotdrunkaquarterofwhattheSlayershaddrunkbutdwarfalewasstrongerbyfarthanhumanale,andhedidnothavetheirtoleranceforit.

Thetavernwasfull.AllaroundweretheseediestdwarfwarriorsFelixhadseensincetheyhadfought theirwaythroughthehallsofKaragDum.Asheconsidered this,herealised that theywerebeingwatched.

The stranger lurked ina shadowyalcoveof the tavern.His featureswere in shadowbutFelixcouldseefromhisoutlinethathehadthetoweringcrestedhaircutthatwasthemarkofaSlayer.HeseemedtobecomeawareofFelix’seyesuponhimandaheadpokedoutoftheshadows.Felixsawanarrow-featureddwarfwithmeaneyesandaclose-croppedbeard.HiscrestwasdyedgreyandwasshorterthanGotrek’s.Hewasleanandquiteskinnyforadwarfandhisjawsworkedconstantlyasifhewere chewing something.Tattoos coveredhis face andbare arms inoddpatterns.He saunteredclosertotheirtable.Felixcouldseehehadalongdaggerstrappedtohislegandashorthandledpickslungoverhisshoulder.Hisbritchesandvestwereblack,hissleevelessshirtgrey.

“Hearyou’regoinglookingforadragon,”thestrangersaid.Hisvoicewaslow,andthewordsseemedtocomeoutofthecornerofhismouth.Heeyedthetrioatthetablestealthily.

“Whatofit?”askedGotrek.“Dragonshavegold.”

“SoI’veheard.Whatisittoyou?”“Skjalandir has a big hoard. Should do anyway. That old firedrake has terrorised these

mountainsfornighonathousandyears.”“It’s not its gold I’m interested in, it’s its life. Imean to kill the thing or die in the attempt,”

Gotreksaid.“NotifSnorriNosebitergetstherefirst,”saidSnorri.“Quiteso.Iunderstandexactly.AndamightydeathitwouldbeforaSlayertoo.Imeantotryit

myself.”“Can’tstopyou,”saidGotrek.“Justdon’tgetinmyway.”“Fairenough.MindifIsitandsupwithyouawhile?”“Aslongasyoucanpayforyourownbeer,”saidGotrek.“Icandothatandbuyaroundforyoualltoo,”saidthenewcomer.Gotrek’s and Snorri’s eyeswidened. Felix gathered this was uncharacteristic behaviour for a

dwarf.“Steg,calledbysometheLight-fingered,atyourservice.”“Athief,”Gotreksaidtactlessly.“Once,tomyshame,”saidSteg.“ButI’maSlayernow.”“Yougotcaught!”saidSnorriNosebiter.“Aye,inthetreasurechamberoftheVorgrundclanwiththeambernecklaceinmyhands.”The

otherSlayerslookedathimwithinterest.“I’msurprisedtheVorgrundsdidn’tcutyourknackersoff.”“They intended to. First they threwme into their dungeon but I picked the locks and escaped.

Therewasahiddenpassagewayoutoftheircitadel.Ofcourse,therewastheshameofbeingcaughtandunmaskedsoIbecameaSlayer.”

“Theshameofbeingcaught!”Gotrekspluttered.FelixwasnotsurprisedatGotrek’soutrage.Hehadalwayscontrivedtogivetheimpressionthatdwarfshadhigherstandardsofhonestythanhumans.Stegseemedtocontradictthis,althoughFelixthoughtthethiefseemedabitoddbydwarfstandards.There was an almost boastful quality to the way he spoke, that was completely at odds with thereticenceofGotrekandSnorri.Hewasnotentirelysane,Felixthought.Ontheotherhand,howmanySlayerswere?

“Aye.Once Iwasunmaskednoonewould speak tome,my clanostracisedme,mybetrotheddisownedme,whichseemedparticularlyunfairbecauseIonlywantedthenecklaceasamarriagegiftforher.”

Gotrek glared at Steg. Snorri lookedon in unabashed amazement. Stegwas confessing to themostheinousof all dwarf crimes, shamelessly and in aperfectly reasonable toneofvoice. IfStegnoticedhedidnotgiveanysign.“So itwasoff to theShrineofGrimnir forahaircutandabeardtrim.”

“Youdon’tseemparticularlyashamed,”Felixsaid.Steglookedathim.“Younghuman,Iama locksmithby trade,anda thiefbycompulsion. IamashamedbecauseI

broughtdishonouronmyclan,andbecausethroughmylackofskillIwascaught.IseektoatoneformycrimebydeathbutbeforeIdie,IintendrestitutiontothoseIhavewronged.SinceIspentthegoldItookIwilltakemyrecompensefrommyshareofthedragon’shoard.”

Felixlookedathimsidelong.HewonderedhowsincereStegwas.Perhapshesufferedfromgoldfeverandmerelywantedtobenearthetreasure.PerhapshewasnotreallyaSlayeratallbutmerelyintendedtoaccompanythemandstealthetreasure.Whocouldtell?Gotrekseemedalittlemollifiedby Steg’s explanation though. He no longer looked as if he wanted to take his axe to the self-

confessedthief’sskull.FelixfoundhimselfinterestedinSteg’stale.“Youarealocksmith?Ihavehearddwarflocksmithsareprodigiouslyskilled.”“Aye,weare. I think thatwas another reason I took to crime.Thechallengeof it. Iwanted to

provemyselfsuperiortoallotherlocksmithsbyovercomingtheircreations.”Gotreksnorted.“Therearesomethingsofwhichitisbetternottospeak.”“Snorrithinkshewillhaveanotherbeer.”“Felixthinkshewillbestaggeringbacktothepalace,”saidFelix.“Becarefulofyourpurse,”Stegsaid.Felixsmiledandpattedhisbelt—todiscoveritwasnot

there.Stegextendedalargehandwhichcontainedit.“Sorry,”hesaid.“Oldhabitsdiehard.”

Ulrikasat in the libraryof theSlayerKing.Thelanternsflickeredeerily illuminatingtherowsandrowsofshelvesandpigeonholescontainingscrolls,leather-boundbooks,mapsandotherdocuments.TheSlayerKing’slibrarywassurprisinglywellfurnished.Mostofthebookswereunreadabletoher,beingwrittenindwarfrunes,buttherewasagoodselectionofhumanvolumesandmany,manymapsofthemountains.Thesewereexecutedwithfarmoredetailandprecisionthanhumanmaps.Dwarfs,itseemed,weresticklersfordetail.

Onthelowdwarfcraftedtableinfrontofherwasspreadoutamapofthemountains,thelatestproductof theking’s scribes, showing the area around the city for all of ahundred leagues.Littlepictographs indicated townsandvillages and itwas easy tounderstand theirmeanings.Agold axeindicatedagoldmine.Aredaxemightbecoaloriron.Aboatindicatedaportwhereraftsorshipsmightgodownriver.Majortrailsweremarkedinthickredlines,lesseronesinthinnerones.Whatlooked like perilous portage routes through mountains were lines of red dots. Crossed swordsindicatedabattlesite.Anorc’sheadmostlikelymarkedthelairofsomegreenskintribe.

LookingatthemapshecouldseethatPeakPassrandowntothelowlandsoftheeasternEmpire.Thewaywasclearbut fromthere itwasa longcircuitousroute to thecourtof theIceQueen.Thefastestwaynorth toKislev layalong theOldHighRoad toKarakUngor,and thendowntheRiverUrskoytoKislevcity.Unfortunatelythedragonsymbollayathwartwhathadbeenamajortraderouteontheoldermaps,forcingthethickredlinetowindatortuouspaththroughthepeaksfarlongerthanithadoncebeen.

ItlookedasifFelixwasright,shethoughtsourly.Itmightbequickertowaituntiltheairshipwasrepaired.Assumingitcouldgetpastthedragon,itwouldbemuchfaster,andjudgingbythenumberoforcsymbolsonthemap,possiblymuchsafer.Lookingatthemap,shecouldtelltheswiftestwaywouldactuallybetogowiththeSlayersalongtheKarakUngorHighRoad.

Perhapsshesimplywantedtobelievethat,sotheycouldstaytogetherforalittlebitlonger.Itwasannoyingandfrustrating—andsaddeningtoo.Itwasoneofthethingsthatputsuchastrainontheirrelationship.Shewantedtobewithhim,andthisdesiremadeherwanttoshirkherdutytoherfatherandnation.Sheknewsheshouldtakeherfather ’smessagetoKislev.AndyetsheresentedherdutyfortakingherawayfromFelix,justassheresentedhimfortearingherfromherduty.

She was not sure what she felt about him anymore.While they had been separated, she haddaydreamedabouthisreturnconstantly,buthisreturnhadchangedthings.Hewasnotafantasyfigureanymorebutarealperson,andonewhomshecouldfindquiteannoyingattimes,withhisclevernessandairofsophistication.Hehadgrownupinthecapitalofthecivilisedworld,afterall,andshewasthedaughterofabordernobleofasemi-barbarousland.Shehadnotrealisedwhatadifferencethatcouldmake.Hisallusionstopoetsandplaysandbookswentrightoverherhead,andmadeherfeelstupidsometimes.Helackedthestraightforwardhonourcodeofherpeople,andhehadtravelledsofar and seen somuch in his life that it was intimidating.At the court inMiddenheim she had felt

dowdyandoutofplaceamongallthesophisticatedladies.Hemadeherfeelthatwaysometimestoo.Morethanthat,shefeltthreatenedbytheintimacythathadgrownbetweenthemsostronglyand

so quickly. All of her life she had been in control of her emotions. She had been raised to be awarrior, to fight aswell as anyman, to be like the sonher father had reallywanted.That andherpositionasheirhadkeptanemotionaldistancebetweenherandanyman.Shewasnotsurewhethershewantedthatgapclosed.

Andthentherewashisdrinking.UlrikahadgrownuparoundharddrinkingmenbutinKislev,itwas a thing reserved for festivals and feasts. It was too dangerous a place for anyone to risksottishnessmorethanafewtimesinayear.SincetheyhadreachedthecityFelixhadgotdrunkeveryday.Itwasworrying.

Sheshookherhead.Thiswasnotlikeher.Thiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverfeltthisway.Toworrysoaboutwhatamanthoughtabouther,andwhatshethoughtaboutaman.Inthepast,shehadtakenloversaccordingtotheeasycodesofherpeople’snobility,foreveningsofpleasure.Shehadnever felt any deep emotional connection or any unease whatsoever. But then again, she hadunderstood those men, and what she expected of them, and they of her. She was not sure sheunderstoodFelixatall.Andshewasnotsureshecouldseeafutureforthemeither.

Notthatitmatteredanyway,shethoughtwryly.WiththeChaoshordeadvancing,andthedangersoftheroadahead, theremost likelywouldnotbeafutureanyway,soitseemedpointlesstoworry.Shethrustthethoughtsasideandreturnedtoherstudyofthemap,lookingforthebestroutetowardshergoal.ItdidseemlikeaccompanyingtheSlayerswasthebestway.

She heard the door open and footsteps enter the library. The footsteps were human, and notFelix’slighttread.ShelookedupandsawMax.Hegazedatherandwinked.

“SoIamnottheonlyoneburningthemidnightoil,”hesaid.She nodded, wonderingwhat he was thinking. From the look in his eyes it seemed perfectly

possiblethathehadcomeherebecauseheknewshewashere.Atherfather ’smansionhouse,hehadalwaysbeenbumpingintoher,asifbyaccident.Therewasalsoasmellofalcoholonhisbreath.

“Whatareyoudoinghere,Max?”sheasked.Hissmilewidened.“Iamtakingthisopportunitytostudyinadwarfking’slibrary.Theypreservemanyoldbooks,

youknow,onesthatarerareintheEmpire.Sometranslatedfromdwarfishbyhumanscribes.”“Ineverknewthattherewerehumanswhocouldreaddwarfish.”“ReadingisnotcountedagreatgiftamongtheKislevites,”hesaid.Ulrikacouldheartheirony

in his tone. It reminded her of Felix, and she felt a small surge of anger. Unaware of this, Maxcontinuedtospeak.“AmongthecitizensoftheEmpireitisdifferent.Sometherecannotonlyread,theycanreaddwarfrunes.”

“Ithoughtitwasasecrettonguethedwarfskepttothemselves.”“It isnow. Itwasnotalwaysso.Oncedwarfsandmenwerecloser,and in the timeofSigmar

Heldenhammer,manyweretaughtthedwarftongue.Dwarfrunesmayhaveformedthebasisofthefirsthumanalphabets.Certainly,accordingtotheUnfinishedBook,Sigmarcouldspeakwithdwarfsintheirnativetongue.”

“Sigmarwasagod.”“Hetookhumanform,andhisfirstpriestscouldspeakdwarfishtoo.Theypasseditontothose

whocameafter.Itisstillusedbymanyscholarsofthechurch.”“Youaresayingthattherearehumanswhocanspeakdwarfish?”“Theancientversionofthetongue,whichisnottoodissimilartomoderndwarfish.Theyarea

veryconservativepeople,theElderRace,andnotthatmuchhaschangedintheirlanguageoverthepasttwothousand,fivehundredyears.Ifyoucanspeaktheoldversionofthetongue,youcanmake

yourselfunderstoodinthemodernversion.Andyoucanmostlikelyreadit.”“Howdoyouknowallthis?”“Iamascholaraswellasamagician,andlikemanyscholarsIstudiedinthetempleswhenIwas

young.Also,amagicianthesedaysneedsaworkingknowledgeoftheologyandliturgyifheisnottofallfoulofwitchhunters.Thetemplesarestillnotfondofus.Thereareoftentimeswhenweneedtobeabletoprovethatwearegod-fearingmen.”

UlrikarememberedthesuperstitionsofherownfolkandthehatredthatmanyofthefollowersofUlrichadbornemageswhenshewasinMiddenheim.

Shecouldseesomesenseinhiswords.“Andareyouagod-fearingman,MaxSchreiber?Orisyoursoulinperil?”

“Iammoregodlythanyoucouldguess,UlrikaMagdova.IhavebeenanenemyofChaosallmylife,nomatterwhatthewitchhuntersmightthink.”

“Youdonotneedtoconvincemeofthat,Max.Isawyoufightagainsttheskaven.”Hemovedcloserandsatdownoppositeher.Shecoulddefinitelysmell thewineonhisbreath.

“Youarecontemplatingajourney,Isee.Goinghuntingfordragons,areyou?”“No.IamtryingtofindawaytoKislev,tobringmyfather ’swarningtomypeople.TheTzarina

mustknowaboutthisimpendinginvasion.”“Youarenotgoingwiththedwarfsthen?Felixis,isn’the?”“FelixissworntoaccompanyGotrek.Iwouldnotaskhimtobreakanoath.”Ulrikawasnotquitesurewhat tomakeof theexpressionthatmovedacrossMax’sface.In the

dim light itwas hard to tell if hewas surprised, pleased, alarmed or a little of all these things. “Ithoughtyoutwowereinseparable,”hesaideventually.

“Wearebedcompanions,nothingmore,”Ulrikaknewitwasn’ttrueevenasshesaidit,butitwascloseenough to the realityof the situation so that shedidnot feel likea liar.Maxwinced.Washejealousorwasitsomethingelse?

“Whatisit?”sheasked.“It’sjustthatKislevitewomenseemalittlemoreforthrighton…mattersoftheheartthanmenof

theEmpireareusedto.””Wearehonest.”“Noquestionofthat.Itjusttookmebysurprisethatisall.IntheEmpirealadydoesnottalkof

suchthings.”Ulrika lookedathim.“Theycertainlydosuch things, though. I spentquiteenough time in the

courtatMiddenheimtoseethat.AtleastweKislevitewomenarenothypocrites!”TohersurpriseMaxlaughed.“Yes.It’strue.Youhaveapoint.”“Thereisnoneedtotalkdowntome.”“Iamnotdoingthat.”Histonechanged.“HowdoyouintendtogettoKislev?Onfoot?”“Byhorse,ifwecanfindanyinthisplace.”“Howmanyofyou?Willyoubehiringbodyguards?”“IhaveOlegandStandaandIhavemyowngoodsword.WhatneedhaveIofanymore?”“ThewaybetweenhereandKislevislongandhardandfullofperil.”Hepausedforaminuteas

if considering something. “Perhaps you could use another sword on the route, and more than asword,amagician.”

“Areyouofferingyourservices?”Ulrikafeltsuddenlyuneasy.ShewasnotatallsurethatshewantedMaxridingwithher,potentmagethoughhewas.

“Yes.”

“Iwillthinkonit.”“Youwill needme,”he said confidently. “There areorcs in thosemountains, and theyhavea

shamanwiththem.Ittakesmagictofightmagic.”“IhavesaidIwillthinkonit,”shesaid,androsetoleave.Maxbowedgoodnighttoher.Asshe

reachedthedoor,shefelthimgazingather.Heopenedhismouthtospeak.“Iloveyou,”hesaidsuddenly.“You’redrunk,”shesaidandsweptoutofthedoor.Evenasshedidso,sheheardhimsay,“True,

butthatdoesn’tmakeanydifference.”Asshewalkedthroughthecorridor,sherealisedshehadcometoadecision.Shewouldtravel

withFelixandGotrekalongtheHighRoadtotheUrskoyturning;assumingtheysurvivedthetripshewouldmakeherwaynorthwithOlegandStanda.Shefeltasifaweighthadliftedfromhershoulders.ShelookedforwardtoseeingFelixandtosharingabed.Theyhadbeenapartalotrecently,andshefeltsomeresponsibilityforthat.Shewouldtryandmakethingsup.Maxstoodinthelibrary,feelingfoolish.TheeffectsofthewinehehadtakenearlierintheEmperor ’sGriffonhadnotwornoff,andhadlefthistongueloose.Partofhimwasgladhehadsaidwhathehad,andanotherpartwasdeeplyembarrassedbytherebuff.Herealisedthatalifetimeofstudyingmagicinmustyoldbookshadinnowaypreparedhimfordealingwithalivingwoman.Hefeltlikehehadsaidthewrongthingrightfromthebeginningoftheconversation.

Thiswasdreadful.Hewouldhavetogetagriponhimself.HewasamastermageoftheGoldenCollegeandasecretbrotherof theancientorderof theGoldenHammer.Hewasnot somecallowstudentofthemysteries.Hecouldnotaffordtolosecontrolofhimselfinthisoranyotherway.Withhispowers,disasterscouldeasilyhappen.Hewasonlytooawareoftalesofmageswhohadwreakedterriblehavocwhilstdrunk.Notthathewasgoingto.Hewastoocleverforthat.Hewouldnevertryusinghispowerswhileinebriated.Notforanyreason.

It was dark in here, though. Not enough light to see by. He moved his fingers through thefamiliar intricatepatternand felt thewindsofmagicanswer.Asphereof softlyglowingyellowishlightsprangintobeingaroundhishand.Herolleditoff,andleftittohoverinmid-airinthecentreofthe chamber. Its light flickered erratically as if somethingwere affectinghis control of themagic.Perhaps itwas theolddwarfprotective runes.Perhaps itwas somethingelse.Hewasnotgoing toworryaboutitnow.

HeshookhisheadandlookedatthemapUlrikahadbeenstudying.Itwasnotdifficulttoseethestoryittold.Thedragon’sawakeninghadcertainlystirredthingsupinthispartoftheWorld’sEdgeMountains.Orctribeswereeverywhere.Townshadbeendestroyed.Traderouteswerebeingblocked.Hecouldeasilyimaginethecascadeoftroubles.

Thedragonawakesandbeginsdestroyinghumananddwarftownsandeatingtheirflocks.Thisleads to the trade routes and mountain passes being less well-defended. Orcs and other nastiercreatures take advantageof the anarchy to increase their ownpower.The caravan routes lengthen,sellswords increase their hiring price because of the danger. The cost of goods rises here in themountainsandinthehumantownsoftheOstermark.Theripplesofthisoneeventmoveoutacrosshundredsofleagues,affectingthelivesofthousandsofpeoplewhowillneverevenseeadragonandmayevenbelieveitisonlyamyth.

Max wondered how often similar chains of events affected the human realms. Doubtless farmorethanhewouldeverlearnof.ItseemedalltoolikelythoughthatenoughofthemoccurringatoncemightcausethecollapseoftheEmpire.Foronething,lookingatthismap,itwasdifficulttoseehow the dwarfs might move an army quickly through the mountains if the dragon and the orcsdecided to oppose them.Even if theywanted to aid theKislevites against themarching legions of

Chaos,theymightnotbeableto.Of course, therewas always theSpiritofGrungni.The airshipwould allow themovement of

many warriors very quickly. Perhaps that would be the answer. If the mighty machine could berepaired.Eventhen,thedragonhadalmostdestroyeditonce.Perhapsitmighttryagainandsucceed.Maxshookhishead.HeknewhewassimplytryingtodistracthimselffromhishopelesspassionforUlrika.

Orwasitsohopeless?ItappearedthatallwasnotwellbetweenherandFelix.Perhapshemightgethischanceyet,particularlyifsheandHerrJaegerwerenottravellingtogether,andhewaswithher.Whoknewwhatmighthappenthen?Heallowedthesurgeofhopetofade.JustbecausesheandFelixmightbefallingoutdidnotmeanthatshewouldgowithhim.Hefeltalmostlikelaughing.

Herehewas,sworntoopposeChaos,withthelargestincursionoftheforcesofDarknessintwocenturiesabouttooccur,andallhecouldthinkaboutwasthisonegirl.Somehow,hewouldhavetogethissenseofproportionback.Hewalkedovertotheshelvesandstudiedthebooks.

Therewasindeedafairnumberofvolumeshere,includingsomecopiesoftheBookofGrudgesforKarakKadrinthatdatedbackwellover3,000years.Theearlierentrieswereinthealmostpureancientdwarfishhehadlearnedasayouth.Heflippedthroughthepages,andwassoonslumpedinthechair,snoring,withtheoldtalesoftreachery,betrayalandgloomslippingfromhishand.FelixstaggeredbackintotheroomhesharedwithUlrika.Hewasnonetoosteadyonhisfeetandhiseffortsatmovingquietlyseemedtobefailinghorribly.Alreadyhehadkickedoverachamberpot,andsenthisswordtumblingtothefloorwithaloudmetallicclatter.Despiteherstillnessonthebed,heknewUlrikawasawake.Hewonderedhowlongshehadbeenwaitingforhim.“Soyou’redrunkaswell,”shesaid.Shesoundedangry.

“You’vebeendrinking,”saidFelixstupidly.“Ithoughtyouweregoingtotheking’slibrarytoplanyourroutehome.”

“No.Maxwasdrinking.”“YouweredrinkingwithHerrSchreiber.”Felixwonderedathowmuchsullenjealousymanaged

tocreepintohisvoiceduringthatonesentence.“No.Iwasinthelibraryandhecameindrunk.”“Andwhatdidyoudothen?”“Wetalked.”“Aboutwhat?”“Aboutthedwarfishlanguage,asifitwereanyofyourbusiness.”“You’vesuddenlydevelopedaninterestindwarfish?”“Themapsandbooksinthelibraryaremostlywritteninit.”“Thatmakesacertainamountofsense,”saidFelixwithunsubtleirony.Hebegantostripoffhis

clothesandgetreadyforbed.“Youcanbeanastyman,FelixJaeger.”“Apparently.AndHerrSchreiberisn’t?”“AtleastMaxofferedtoaccompanymetoKislev.”Felix felt his stomach twist.Hehadnot realised that herwords could affect him somuch.He

threw himself down on the bed beside her, and glanced over. In the darkness her expression wasimpossibletoread.Judgingbyhervoice,shesoundedupset.Hepausedtoconsiderwhattosay.Thesilencestretched,avastemptydesertthatthreatenedtoswallowanythinghecouldsay.

“IwouldgowithyoutoKislev,”hesaideventually.“Whataboutthedragon?”

“Afteritisslain…”“Ah,afteritisslain,youwillgo…”“Ihaveswornanoath,andIknowwhatyouKislevitesthinkofoathbreakers.”Thesilencestretchedoncemore.Shedidnotsayanythingmore.Felixconsideredwhat tosay

next,but thebeersurgedthroughhisbrain,andthe tentaclesofalcohol-inducedsleepdraggedhimdownintotheseaofslumber.

Whenheawokeinthemorning,Ulrikawasgone.FromthebattlementsabovethecourtyardoftheSlayerKing’spalace,Maxwatchedthemorningsunriseoverthemountains.Hismouthfeltdry.Hisheadached.Hisstomachchurned.Hehadnotgottendrunk like that since he had been a student, many years ago. He felt vaguely embarrassed andashamed. In part he knew it was simply the effects of the hangover. In part though, it was theknowledgethathehadspokentoUlrikaaboutsomethingthatheshouldhavebestkepttohimself.Inparttoohewasannoyedathimselfforgettingdrunk.Itwasabadthingforamastermagiciantodo.He shuddered when he realised he had been using spells, even such simple ones as casting lightglobes,whilebeinginebriated.Magicwasatrickyanddangerousthingatthebestoftimes,withouttheaddedcomplicationsofbooze.HerememberedwhathisoldtutorJaredhadtosayonthesubject.Adrunkenmagicianisafoolishmagician,andafoolishmagicianissoonadeadmagician.

Heknewitshouldnothavehappened,butheknewalsohehadhisreasons.Hewasamage.Hewasawareofhisstateofmind.Hetookadeepbreath,andcountedsilentlyandslowlytofiveashedidso.Heheldthebreathinforacountoften,andthenletitoutslowlyforacountoftwenty.Ashedidso,hesoughttoemptyhismind,ashistutorshadtaughthim.

Atfirstitwouldnotcome.Thesicknessinhisstomachandthedizzinessinhisheadpreventedhimfrommanagingit.Anotherdangerofdrinking,hethought.Ifanenemyweretoattackmenow,Iwouldhavedifficulty protectingmyself.He cursed, knowing that such thoughtswere themselves asign that he was failing to perform even this elementary magical exercise. He continued,concentratingonhisbreathing,tryingtofeelcalmandrelaxed,tryingtoletthetensionflowfromhismuscles.

Slowly, the exercise began to take effect. His thoughts became quieter and slower. His painsseemedtofadealittle.Tensionoozedfromhim.Attheedgeofhismind,hebecameawareofthetugofthecurrentsofmagic.Coloursbegantoswirlinhismind,redsandgreensandapredominantgold.Hebecameawareofhimselfasanemptyvessel,intowhichthepowerwasstartingtoflow.Themagicsoftlysoakedhispainsaway;hismindbegantofeelcleanerandclearerandfilledwithagoldenlight.Asenseofrenewalfilledhim.Thetouchofmagicwasliketheeffectsofsomeofthenarcoticdrugshehadexperimentedwithunderthesupervisionofhismasters.Itmadehimfeelfullofenergyandalmosteuphoricinalow-keyway.Hissenseswerekeener.Hewasawareofthewind’sgentlecaressonhisskin,thefaintticklingsensationcausedbyhiswoollenrobes.Theheatinthestonesunderhisfingers.He could hear the faint voices of dwarfs in the depths of the castle that he had only beensubliminallyawareofbefore.Thelightwasbrighterandhisvisionclearer.

Other senses than the five thatmankind normally used clicked in.He could sense the flowofmagicallaroundhim,andthefaintemanationsoflivingthings.Hecouldfeelthepoweroftherunesthatthedwarfshadboundintotheirbuildings,andthewaytheychannelledprimalenergiesinmagicaldefence.Heknew thathecould reachout inamanner inexplicable tonormalmortalsandbegin tomouldthoseenergiestohiswill.Foramoment,hefeltutterlyandcompletelyalive,andfilledwithagladnessthathewassurenonon-magicianwouldeverunderstand.

He achieved emptiness and held it for a fewmoments, and then as he exhaled began to thinkagain,reviewinghislifewithanewinsightandclarity.

Hecouldseenowthathehadgottendrunkasaresponsetothewaythingshadbeenrunningoutofcontrolinhislife.Hehadundergonealotofthingsrecentlythatwerealientothenormalroutineofhisquietscholarlylife.Hehadbeeninvolvedinabattle,andfoughtasorcerousduelwithamagefar mightier than himself. He could easily have died both in that duel, and in the battles with theskaven.Hehadfalleninlove,passionatelyanduncontrollablyandmuchtohisownsurprise.Perhapshehadbeenmorevulnerable to it,out in thewildsofKislev, far fromhishomelands,andwaitingtenselyforthereturnoftheairship.True,Ulrikawasalovelywoman,buthehadknownlovelier,andnotfallenhardforthem.Anyway,itdidnotmatterwhatthereasonswere,thesimplefactwasthatithadhappenedandhadaffectedhim.Hehadbeen jealous,anddesperateandfilledwithanangerhehadonlybeenbarelyawareof, and ithaddrivenhim tobehavebadly, and feel temptationshehadneverknownbefore.Heknewthatthewholebusinesswasathreattohispeaceofmind,andinsomeways tohissoul.Hisdesire for thewomanhad ledhimtocontemplatedarkpaths thatshouldhaveremainedclosedtohimandconsiderthingsheshouldneverhavegiventhoughtto.Lastnighthehadevengonesofarastogetdrunkandusehismagic.Hewasluckyhehadbeentoodrunktoworksomeofthespellsheknew,onesthatcouldbindotherstohiswill.

Heclosedhiseyesandconsideredthesecretknowledgehehadgainedwithsuchcost.Slaanesh,he thought. To the ignorant, hewas the dark god of unspeakable pleasures, amaster of daemons,whose pleasure-crazed worshippers engaged in orgies of dreadful excess. And such things didhappen,asMaxwellknew.ButthiswasnottheonlythreatSlaaneshrepresented.Hewasthegodofthetemptationsoftheflesh,subtleanddeadly.Hecouldlureeventhewisestontotheroadofruinthroughtheurgetogratifytheirdesires.MaxknewthatSlaaneshcouldruinamaninmanyways,throughtheurgetodrink,ortakedrugsortobedwomen.Heknewthat,inaway,whathadhappenedtohimlastnightwassomethinghehadtotakeseriously,foritwasthefirststeponthepathtoperdition, ifhefolloweduponit.

Itwasathingheknewhemustnotdo.HewassworntoopposeChaosandnottoserveit,thatwaswhyhehadstudiedsolongandsohard.HeknewthathemustforswearUlrikaanddrinkandalltheother temptations thatmight leadhimastray,or theconsequenceswouldbe terrible.Butevenasheresolvedthis,partofhimwhisperedthatitdidnotwanttodoit,andhisnewinsightshowedhimwhatmightbeanothertruth.

Perhapshehadstudied theworksofChaosforso longfora lesspurereason,notbecausehehated it, andwished to oppose it, but becausehewas fascinatedby it. Perhapshehadmerelybeenfoolinghimselfallalong.

EvenashetoldhimselfthatthisthoughttoowasbutoneofthesnaresofSlaanesh,hewasalltooawarethatitwas,atleastinpart,thetruth.Felixwanderedoutintothestreet.HehadnoideawheretofindUlrikabutaccordingtothesentriesshe,OlegandStandahadleftthepalaceearlierinthemorningandheadedoffinthedirectionofthefairgroundthathadsprunguparoundtheSpiritofGrungniinthevalleyoutsidethecity.Thismadesense.Shewouldbe looking for horses to continueher journey and themarket therewouldbe asgoodaplaceasanytobuythem.

Asheheadeddownhill,henoticedthatayoungdwarfofunusualappearancewaslookingathim.Thedwarfwasgarbedinfurs,andhisheadwascoveredinapinkishfuzzthatmadeitlookasifithadrecentlybeenshaved.Hehadanaxeslungoveroneshoulder.NoticingFelixwaswatchinghim,hebegantomoveforwardandfellintostepbesidehim.

“YouareFelixJaeger!”Thedwarf’svoicewasevenlowerthanusualforadwarf’sandboomedout loudly. As Felix looked he saw that on the dwarf’s arms were an intricate series of tattoos,depictinghuge,bleedingmonsters.An inscription indwarf runesranunder them.Seeing thatFelix

hadnoticed them, thedwarf flexedhis armsproudlycausing themuscle to rippleand the tattoo toexpand.

“You’venoticedmytattoos,Isee!Theinscriptionreads‘BorntoDie!’”“Yes. Very impressive,” said Felix. He lengthened his stride, and soon the dwarf was almost

runningtokeeppace.HehadnowishtoberudebuthewasinahurrytofindUlrikaandapologiseforhisbehaviourofthepreviousevening.Iftheyouthnoticedhisbrusqueness,hegavenosign.

“Ulli,sonofUlli,atyourservice,andyourclan’s,”saidthedwarf.Hetriedbowingashemovedandalmosttripped.

“Pleasedtomeetyou,”Felixsaid,hopingthedwarfwouldtakethehintandleavehimalone.Hishangoverwasnotmakinghimfeelsociable.

“YouareacomradeofGotrekGurnisson’s,aren’tyou?YouhaveheldtheHammerofFirebeardinyourhand?”Therewasanoteofaweintheyouth’svoiceashespoke.FelixwasnotsurewhetheritwasforGotrekorforthehammer.HestoppedandgazeddownatUlli.

“Yes.Whatofit?”“Idon’tlikeyourtoneofvoice,human!Doyouwanttofightme?”Felixlookedattheyouth.Hewasmuscularintheapishwaythatdwarfsoftenwere,buthewas

nowherenearasfearsomeasGotrekorSnorriNosebiter.Still, therewasnosenseingettingintoafight for no reason, particularly not with a Slayer. “No. I do not want to fight you,” Felix saidpatiently.

“Good!Iwouldnotwanttosoilmyaxewithhumanblood!”“There’snoneedtoshout,”Felixsaidquietly.“Donottellmehowtospeak!”roaredthedwarf.InstinctivelyFelix’shandwenttothehiltofhis

blade.TheyoungSlayerseemedtoflinchbackalittle.“I amnot tellingyouhow to speak,”Felix saidaspolitely ashecouldmanage. “I ammerely

askingyoutocalmdownalittle.”“IamaSlayer!Iamnotmeanttobecalm!Iamsworntodieinbattleagainstterriblemonsters!”Felix grimaced sourly.Hehadheard such lines before fromGotrek but somehow they didn’t

seem quite so convincing coming from Ulli Ullisson. “You’ve probably noticed that I am not aterriblemonster,”hesaid.

“Areyoumockingme?”“AsifIwould.”“Good!IdemandtherespectaSlayerdeservesfromyoursort!”“Andwhatsortwouldthatbe?”Felixaskedsoftly.Adangerousedgehadenteredhisvoice.He

wasgettingalittletiredofbeingbadgeredbythisboastfullout.Ulliseemedtonoticeit,andflinchedbackagain.

“Humans!Theyoungerrace!ThemenoftheEmpire!”Acrowdofdwarfswasgatheringtowatchtheconfrontation.Hecouldhear themmutteringto

each other in dwarfish. Some of the spectators were nudging each other with their elbows andpointing to him.He heard his own namementioned several times. It seemed hewas quite awell-knownfigurearoundthetown.“IstheresomethingIcandoforyou,UlliUllisson?”

“Isittrueyouintendtohuntdownthedragon,Skjalandir?”“Yes.Whydoyouask?”“Iseekagloriousdeath.”“Jointhequeue,”Felixsaidsoftly.“What?”roaredUlli.

“That’snothingnew,”Felixsaid.“Doyouintendtoaccompanyusonourquest?”“I intend to go in search of the dragonwith or without you! Still, if you are asking formy

protection,Iwillgrantit!”“Iamnot.Goodmorningtoyou,”saidFelix,andturnedandstrodeaway.Hedidnotlookback

buthecouldhearUlliblusteringloudlybehindhim.“Wearelost,aren’twe,mostperspicaciousofpathfinders?”

Grey Seer Thanquol did not like thewayLurk said this. Therewas an undertone ofmenace,combinedwithahintofdisbelief inThanquol’s abilities thatboded ill for futuredealingswithhishenchman. Thanquol’s head hurt. He had run out ofwarpstone snuff two days ago and it was nothelpingmatters.He felt a terrible craving for it.Maybehe could justnibble a littleofhis stashofwarpstone.No!Heknewhemustpreservethepurestuffforanemergency.Hewouldneeditspowerthen.

“Arewelost?”Lurkaskedagain.“No!No!”chitteredThanquolwithwhathehopedwasutterconfidence.“Sucharemypowersof

scryingthatweareexactlywhereweneedtobe!”“Andwhereexactlyisthat?”“Areyouquestioningme,LurkSnitchtongue?”“ExpressinganinterestIam.”Thanquol gazed at the horizon. The glittering peaks that marked the border with the Chaos

Wastesseemedalotcloser.Washebeingbetrayedbyhisdesireforwarpstone,hewondered?Hadthemysteriouslureofthoselostlandsaffectedhissenseofdirection?Orwasitsimplythatthisconstantbadgering by Lurk’s inane questioningwas beginning to affect his judgement? Perhaps a little ofboth,hedecided.

Andofcoursetheweatherwasnothelpingeither.Whenitwasnotraining,itwasmisty.Whenitwasnotmisty,itwassobrightthatithurttheirsensitiveskaveneyesandforcedthemtoburrowintotheearthratherthanriskbeingspotted.Unwillingashenormallywastoadmitthathumansmightbesuperiortoskaveninanything,Thanquolhadtoadmitthatamanonhorsebackwasmuchmorelikelytospotthembeforetheyspottedhim.Thereseemedtobenohappymedium.Therainswereawful.Theydroveinhardandreducedvisibilitytoalmostzero.Theylefthisfursoddenanddeadenedhissenseof smell. Itwasas if theveryelementsconspiredwithhisenemies toundermineThanquol’ssanity.

Actually,hewassurprisedthathehadnotconsideredthisbefore.Itseemedalltoolikelythatthisatrociousweatherwastheproductofsomeenemy’sspell.Thanquolcouldthinkofseveralcandidates.One thing was certain, he swore, when he returned to skaven civilisation, he was going to makesomeonesufferforthediscomforthehadendured.Andonecandidateforhiscertainvengeancewasnomorethanafewtaillengthsawayfromhim.

Lurkhadbecome lessand lessendurableas their journeyprogressed.Whenhewasnotbeinginsolent,hewashungryandcastalarminglyvoraciouslooksathisrightfulmaster.Whenhewasnotdoingthathewasaskingfoolishquestions,andactuallyappearedtobeimplyingthathehadnofaithinthegreyseer ’sjudgement.Thanquolwouldshowhimwhosejudgementwasfaultysoonenough,hevowed.Hewasnotpreparedtoputupwithinsolencefromunderlingsforever.

“Youhavenotansweredmyquestion,mostscintillatingofseers,”saidLurk.Thanquolglaredathim until he noticed that Lurk was not looking back but instead was staring off over Thanquol’sshoulders.Thanquolbaredhisteethinasnarl.Thatwastheoldesttrickinthebook.HewasnotgoingtoturnaroundandletLurkspringonhisback.DidSnitchtonguetakehimforthemerestrunt?

“Whatareyoulookingat?”Thanquolasked.

“Whynotuseyourawesomepowersofdivination,andfindoutforyourself?”suggestedLurk.“Perhapsyoucouldascertainwhatthatmonstrouscloudonthehorizonportendsandwhetherithasanythingtodowiththewaytheearthshakesbeneathourpaws.”

At first Thanquol suspected that Lurk was mocking him till he realised that the ground wasindeed vibrating.He risked a quick glance over his shoulder and noticed that therewas amassivecloudstretchingallthewaytothehorizon,obscuringeverything,eventhemountainpeaks.

“Somestrangemysticalphenomenon,”hesuggested.“More likeanarmyon themarch, it looks tome,mightiestofmasters.Andavery largeone

too.”Lurkcouldnotquitekeepthefearfromhisvoice.Thanquolcouldnotexactlyblamehim.Ifthatcloudwasindeedbeingraisedbyanarmy,itwasthelargestoneThanquolhadeverheardof.

Thanquolshuddered.Therewaslittletheycoulddoexceptwaitandhide.Ulrika lookedaroundthefairgroundthathadsprunguparoundtheairshipwhere it layoutside thetownwalls.Hundredsofdwarfssurroundedtheenclosureandlookedatthemightyvesselinawe.Fireeatersandjugglersmovedthroughthecrowd.Pievendorssoldtheirwaresfromtraysaroundtheirneck.Alemongerscarriedmassivepitchersoffoamingbeerthroughthecrowd,dispensingthebrewtoanyonewithafewcopperstospare.Adwarfonstiltstoweredhighoverherandshoutedjokestothe crowd.Ballad singers rumbled out fanciful tales of the great airship’s voyage in the commonspeech.

Shewasdisappointed.Thehorsemarkethadproven tobenothingof the sort. It soldonlypitponies,mules and nags that no true Kislevite would be seen dead riding, beasts that would neversurvive the long trip north. It seemed, annoyingly enough, that oncemore Felix had been provenright.Dwarfswerenot famousfor theircavalrynor for theirknowledgeofhorseflesh.Shegrittedherteeth.Shewasnotgoingtoallowthethoughtofthemantoannoyhertoday.Shedidnotwanttogivewaytoheranger.Lastnightshehadbeenreadytomakeupwithhim,untilhehadprovenhimselfadrunkensot.Nowhewouldhavetoapologisetoher.

She had never seen quite somany dwarfs from so close up before. Theremust be hundreds,perhaps thousands of them, most of them at least partially inebriated. They were all bent oncelebratingintheirowndourway.ItseemedthatthereturnoftheHammerofFirebeardwasaneventofgreatsignificance to them.Not that itappeared theyneededanyexcuse togetdrunk. In this theywere like Kislevmen. The alesellers were doing good business, but then so were the smiths andweaponsellers.Itseemedthatthedwarfslikedtohaggle,andbuyandsellalmostasmuchastheylikedtodrink.

“You’reaprettylass,”saidadeep,rumblingvoiceclosetoUlrika’selbow.Shelookeddowntoseeadwarfstandingthere.Hewassquat,muscularandrepulsivelyugly.Hisnosehadbeenmashedandahugehairywartstoodontheendofit.Hisheadhadbeenshavedandatuftedcrestofdyedhairroseaboveit.Hugegoldringsdangledfromhisears.

“Andyou’reaSlayer.”“As clever as ye are pretty, I see. Do you fancy a turn in the bushes?” The dwarf gestured

insinuatinglyatthenearestclumpofgreenery.IttookUlrikaafewmomentstoworkouthismeaning.Whenshedidshedidnotknowwhethertobeangryoramused.OlegandStandahadreachedfor

theirblades.Shequelledthemwithaglance.Shewasquitecapableofhandlingthissituationonherown.

“Idon’tthinkso.”“You’ll soon change yourmind if you do.There’s no a lass ever regretted straddlingBjorni

Bjornisson.”ThistimeUlrikadidlaugh.IftheSlayerwasoffended,hegavenosign.“Ifyechangeyermind,

letmeknow.”“I’llbesuretodothat,”shesaid,andturnedtogo.“YouknowGotrekGurnisson,”saidtheSlayer.“AndFelixJaeger?”Thatstoppedher.“Yes.”“They’regoinghuntingfordragons,soIhear.”“Youhearcorrectly.”“ImightjointhemIthink.We’llbeseeingmoreofeachother,bonnielass.”TheSlayerturnedandwalkedaway.Astonished,Ulrikafollowedhimwithhergaze.Thelastshe

sawofhim,hewasdisappearing into thecrowd,arminarmwith tworougedandnone-too-younglookinghumanwenches.

“Neverseenanythinglikethatbefore,”Standasaid,alookofdiscomfortshowingonhismoonface.Olegtuggedhislong,droopingmoustachesinagreement.

“You’llseealotstrangerthingsbeforewe’redonetravelling,I’llwarrant,”saidUlrika.“Now,let’sgetgoing.Wemightaswellgetbacktothepalace.We’llfindnohorseshere.”

Shewasstillnotsureshebelievedwhatshehadjustseenherself.ThatwassurelythestrangestSlayershehadeverencountered.TheSpirit of Grungni lay at rest. Even to Felix’s hungover eyes it was an impressive sight. ThemassiveairshiplayinanopenfieldbeyondKarakKadrin.Theareawasropedofftokeepthecrowdatbayand surroundedbydwarf soldiers topreventany interlopersgetting tooclose.Thegondolaactually rested on the ground anchored by ropes held by hooks driven deep into the ground liketentpegs.Moreropesarcedupandoverthegasbag,runningthroughtheguardrailsthatranalongthetopofthedirigibleandcomingdowntheotherside.EvenoverthevoicesofthecrowdofspectatorsFelixcouldheartheropescreakastheairshipshiftedslightly.ThespectacleremindedFelixofanoldstory he had once read of a sleeping giant who had been trapped in his slumber, ensnared in awebworkofropes,pinnedtotheearthandunabletomove.

FelixhadbeenlookingforUlrika,butlikeeveryoneelsehewasgettingdistractedbythecircussurroundingtheairship.Hesmiledtohimself.HehadbecomesoaccustomedtotheSpiritofGrungnionthequestforKaragDumthathehadforgottenjusthowimpressivethemassiveairshipwas.Theonlookershadnot.Theyhadcometogapeatit,thewaytheymightatsomecaptivedragon.

TheguardsrecognisedFelixasheforcedhiswayintotheroped-offenclosure,andlethimpass.Heheardhisnamemurmuredby thespectatorsashemovedcloser to theSpiritofGrungni. Itwasstrangetoberecognised.

Dwarfsswarmedoverthefuselageoftheairship,paintingthegasbagwithapitch-likesubstancewhichsealedtheripsandtears.FelixknewitwasmadefromsomealchemicalformulaknownonlytoMakaisson and his apprentices. Blacksmiths and artificers worked on the engines and the dentedcupola,bangingawaywithhammers,twistingnutsintoplacewithhugespanners.Theclangourwasdeafening.Lookingthroughtheportholes,hecouldseemoredwarfsinside.Itlookedliketherepairswereproceedingapace.BorekForkbeardleanedonhisstickandwatchedtheworkinprogress.HelookedsadderandolderthaneverbutasmilecrossedhisfacewhenhenoticedFelixapproach.

“HaveyouseenUlrika?”theyoungwarriorasked.“IthoughtIsawherandherguardsheadingbackuptothecity.”Felixclampeddownonhisdisappointment.Hedidnotfeel likegoingbackto thepalaceright

now.Maybe he should have some ale. It might help his hangover. He considered this briefly anddecidedagainst it. Itprobablywouldn’thelp,andhe’dneedhiswitsabouthimwhenhesawUlrikaagain.

“Howisitgoing?”Felixasked.Boreknoddedhishead.Anunlitpipewasclenchedbetweenhis

teeth.Felixknewitwastherefromforceofhabit.Hewouldnotlightitsoclosetothegasbag.“Slowly.Makaissonwas here yesterday and said it may be someweeks before the airship is

ready.”“Whyishenotherehimself?Surelyheshouldbesupervisingthis.”“Hisapprenticesknowallthatisneedfulorsoheclaims.Thecrewwerewelltrainedbeforewe

setout.Weknewhemightnotbealivetooverseeanyrepairsthatwereneeded.”Fromhisexpression,Felixcouldtellthattheolddwarfwasthinkingofsomeoneelsewhowas

notheretowitnessthis,hisnephew.Thescholarcontinued,“Makaissonisobsessedwithslayingthedragon.Hegetslikethat.Hehaslockedhimselfupinhisworkshopandisbuildingweaponstokillthebeast.Herefusesfoodanddrink,andonlycametoseetherepairsbeingdoneyesterdaybecauseIbangedonhisdoorforanhour.”

Felix looked at him. “Do you think even Makaisson can come up with something that willdestroySkjalandir?”

Borekshrugged.“Ifanyonecan,hecan.He isagenius. Inadozencenturies thedwarf realmshavenotcastupanengineerasbrilliantashe.”

“ApitythenthathehasbecomeaSlayer.”“Aye; he might have changed the world otherwise. If his theories had been accepted. If the

EngineersGuildhadnothoundedhim.Asit is,hisnamewillgodowninhistoryanyway.CreatingthisairshipwasadeedworthyoftheAncestors.PilotingittoKaragDummeanshisnamewillliveforever,evenifhedoesnot.”

“Wasthedeedreallysonotable?”“More thanyoucan imagine.Yournamewill live as longas themountains too,Felix Jaeger.

Yourpartintheslayingofthedaemon,andtherecoveryoftheHammerofFirebeardwillseetothat.”Felixfoundthisastrangethought.Hewasnotsurehowhefeltabouttheknowledgethathisname

wouldberecalledincenturiestocome,inatimelongafterhewasdead.Hedidnotwanttothinkofdyingjustyet.Itwasnotathoughthefoundpleasant.

“Whereisthehammernow?”“ItisintheshrineofGrimnir.Hurgrimhasleftitthereforthetimebeing.”AthoughtstruckFelix.Curiosityovercamehim.“OnedayIwouldliketoseetheinsideoftheshrine.”“ItisnotusualforhumanstobeallowedtoviewtheinsideofGrimnir ’ssanctum.”Borekpaused

foramoment.“Butyouare theHammerbearer,andthegodshavelookedonyouwithfavour,soIsupposeanexceptioncouldbemadeinyourcase.”

“Iwouldlikethat,”saidFelix.IfheeverwasgoingtowriteupthetaleofGotrek’sadventures,itmight be important. Perhaps seeing the inside of the shrinewould give him some insight into thedwarfpersonality.

“Thankyou,”Felixsaid.“Iwillgonow.”“MaytheAncestorGodswatchoveryou,FelixJaeger.”“Andyou,”Felixsaid,stridingaway.

GreySeerThanquolwatchedthedustcloudcomeevercloser.Itbillowedtothesky.Itwasasifallthegrassoftheplainhadcaughtfireandwassendingsmokeplumesskyward.Thegroundvibrated.Hecould feel the thunder of hundreds of hooves against the earth.His nose twitched.He could smellwarpstone insmallquantities,andcoldsteelandflesh,human-likeandyetnothuman.Hismysticalsenses told him that powerfulmagicwas present.He andLurk exchanged scared looks, animositytemporarilyfadingastheyconfrontedathreattotheircommonwell-being.

Almost. Thanquol briefly considered running and leaving Lurk to face whatever it was that

rushedtowardsthem.Whatheldhiminplacewastheknowledgethatitwouldprobablybepointless.Instinct told him that there were so many foes coming towards them, that a few of them couldovercomeLurk,andotherswouldstillhavetimetoseekhimout.BeingwithLurkatleastofferedthepossibilityofsomeprotection.Atmomentsofstresslikethese,whentheurgetosquirtthemuskoffear filled him, the scent of another ratman reassured even a skaven as independent asGrey SeerThanquol.

“Horsewarriors,mostperceptiveofpotentates?”rumbledLurk.Thanquol shook his horned head and bared his fangs. Hismouth felt dry. His heart pounded

within his chest. He fought the urge to begin stuffing the last of the powderedwarpstone into hismouth.

“No.Others.Nothumans.”“Fromthenorth?FromtheWastes?”“Yes!Yes!Black-armouredwarriors.Alteredbeasts.Otherthings.”“Youhaveseenthis?TheHornedRathasgrantedyouavision?”Not in the strictest sense,Thanquol thought, but it servednopurpose to letLurkknow, so he

maintainedasignificantsilenceashepeeredintothecloud.Thedustmadehispinkeyeswaterandhisnosetwitch.Hismuskglandsfelttightandhelashedhistailtotryanddispelthetension.Lurkletoutalowthreateninggrowl.Thanquolglaredintotheadvancingdustcloudtryingtoseeintoit.

Formsmovedwithinthecloud.Massive,darkshapesthatemergedslowlyfromthegloomandresolvedthemselvesintoriders.ThanquolhadseenmanyofthemountedwarriorsthefoolishhumanscalledknightswhenhehadservedtheCouncilofThirteeninBretonnia.Thehorsemenremindedhimofthose,savethattheirarmourwasmadeallofblackironwithbrassrondels.Itwasmoreintricatethan any human armour Thanquol had ever seen before. Daemonic faces, twisted runes, arcanesymbols:allseemedtohavebeenmouldedintothesteelbysomesorceroustechnique.

One warrior had a gapingmawed daemonic face set in his chest plate. His helm echoed thedaemon’s features and glowing red eyes glared out from behind his visor. Another wore armourcovered inmonstrous spikes and clutched a similarly spikedmace, shaped like a shriekinghumanhead,inonearmouredfist.Athird’sarmourglowedwithaneerieyellowlight,pulsingsoftlyasifintimetohisheartbeat.Behindthemcameotherridersgarbedinarmourjustasfantasticallyelaborate.

Theirweaponswere also of black steel setwith fiery runes.They carried swords andmaces,lancesandmorningstars.TheirshieldsshowedthesymbolofTzeentch,theGreatMutator,oneofthefourRuinousPowers.Thehorseswerehuge,farbiggerthannormalhumansteeds.Theyneededtobeto carry their massive armoured riders, and the weight of the impossibly intricate, segmentedbarding.Liketheirriders,thesteeds’eyesglowedwithbalefulinternalfires.ItwasasifthegatesofHellhadopenedandtheseawfulspectreshadriddenstraightout.

TheChaoswarriorswereaterrifyingsight,andwhatwasevenmorefrighteningwasthefactthatThanquolknewtheywerebuttheoutridersofavasthorde.Whathadthosefiends,FelixJaegerandGotrekGurnissondone,Thanquolwondered?Hedidnotdoubt foramoment that theonsetof thismonstrousarmywassomehowconnectedwith theirmission into theChaosWastes. Itwas just likethem to stir up a hornets’ nest ofmalefic forces and then run, leaving others in the path.May theHornedRatdevourtheirsouls,Thanquolcursed.

Withaterrifiedhowl,Lurkthrewhimselfheadlongonthegroundandabasedhimself.Thanquolcursedhimtoo,andfoughttheurgetorepeatLurk’sactionhimself.Hismindraced.Ifheprostratedhimselfbeforethesebloodthirstymadmen,theywouldmostlikelysimplyrideoverhim,tramplingthe greatest skavenmind of this age into a bloody husk. Thanquol knew thatwould never do.Heneededtokeepallhiswitsabouthimifhewantedtosurvive.

Dramatically he threw his arms wide and let a nimbus of power play around his claws. Theleading horse reared but its rider kept it under control and dropped his weapon into the attackposition. Thanquol desperately controlled his musk glands as they sought to void themselves. Heraisedhischinhighandletthemseehishornedhead,hiswhitefur,hismagnificentlashingtail.Hefelthispowersurgewithinhim,andknewthatifworstcametotheworsthewouldtakeafewoftheseTzeentchworshipperswithhimtogreettheHornedRatintheThirteenthLeveloftheAbyss.

“Halt!”heshoutedinthecommontongueofhumansinhismost impressiveoracularvoice.“IbringyougreetingsfromtheCouncilofThirteen,lordlyrulersofallskavendom.”

IftheChaoswarriorswereimpressed,theygavenosignofit.Instead,oneofthemtouchedspurstotheflanksofhismount,droppedhislanceandthunderedforward,obviouslyintentonskeweringthegreyseer.

Everything seemed to slow as the armoured warrior advanced. The spearpoint looked verysharp.Thanquolwonderedifhislastmomenthadcome.

“Wait!Wait!” shriekedGrey Seer Thanquol. “Don’t killme.You aremaking a grave error. Ibring tidings from the Council of Thirteen. Theywish tomake obeisance to your all-conqueringarmy!”

Thanquolthoughthisdoomwasuponhim.Hesummonedhispowertoattempttheescapespellthatwouldcasthimacrossthewarp.Hewasnotsurehehadthetimeortheenergy,butitseemedlikehis only slim hope. The glittering lance point came ever closer. It looked sharp as Felix Jaeger ’sswordandtentimesasdeadly.Justbeforeitpiercedhisbody,thelancerraisedhisweaponandletoutabellowofmockingmalevolentlaughter.

“Youwishtoallywithus?”“Yes!Yes!”“Oryouwishtosurrendertous?”“Yes!Yes!”“Whichisit?Orisitboth?”“Both!” Thanquol had squirted the musk of fear, but it did not matter right now. What was

importantwasthathepreservehislifeandhisgeniusforthebenefitoftheskavennation.Oncehehadgottenthroughthenextfewdifficultmoments,hewouldgoaboutthebusinessofturningthetablesonthesearrogantdullards.Atthemomentthoughpreservinghisskintookthehighestpriority.

“Whyshouldwespareyou?”“We have mighty armies! We can aid you in crushing mankind! We have knowledge of the

humancitiesandhumandispositions!Weknowmanythings!”“Perhapsyoucouldsparethismutant’slifeandkeepitasajester!”roaredthecreaturewiththe

daemon’sfaceon itsbreastplate.Thanquolforcedhimself tobobhishead inanappeasingmanner,althoughinwardlyheseethedandsworevengeanceonthespeakerassoonasthemomentwasright.Iftherewasasmuchwarpstonenearbyashesuspectedthatmomentwouldcomesoon.

“Ormaybeweshouldnailittoourbannersasawarningtotherestofitskind.Ihavemetskavenbefore.Ihavefoughtwiththem.Anastytreacherousbunchtheyweretoo.”

“Doubtless they were renegades,” said Thanquol thinking quickly. “True skaven always keepfaithwiththeirallies.”

“That’sagoodjoke,”saiddaemonface.“Youshallbeourjester!”“Thisone is agrey seer,” saidaChaoswarrior carryingamassivebannerdepictinga flayed

humanbrandishingasword.“ItispossiblethatitdoesspeakfortheThirteen.”“So?”“Perhapsweshouldspareit!Perhapsthewarlordorhispetsorcerersshouldinterrogateit!”

Listentothisone,Thanquolprayed.Heshowscommonsense.Anddoubtlessthehorde’sleaderwouldhavethewisdomtonegotiatewithagreyseer.

“Andwecanalwaysofferhissoul toTzeentchafterwards.Theseersaresaid tobemagiciansandourmightylordmightappreciatesuchatastymorsel!”

WhathaveIletmyselfinfor,GreySeerThanquolaskedhimself?Perhapsheshouldhavetriedtheescapespellbutbeforeheknewit,thelancerhadstopped,snatchedhimupandthrownhimacrosshissaddlelikeasackofwheat.TheothershadsurroundedLurkandwereherdinghimforwardswiththeirweapons.

In heartbeats theywere on theirway into the heart of the oncomingChaoshorde.Thanquol’sheartracedwithfear,andhisemptymusk-glandshurtfromthestrainoftryingtosquirt.Itwasnotareassuringfeeling.Felixentered the innersanctumof theTempleofGrimnir.His famehadobviouslyproceededhim.Thepriestshadmadenofussabout lettinghimin.Theyhadsimplyseemedsurprisedthatanymanshouldwanttoentertheplace.Itwasdarkandgloomyinhereafterthehugefirethatburnedbrightintheentrancehall,andittookhiseyesafewmomentstoadjusttothedimness.

Theenormously thickstonewallsmuffledall sound.Theair smelledof incenseand theacridodourofburnedhair.Thisinnersanctumwasemptysaveforafewolddwarfsinplainrobesofred.Theycarriednoweapons; theirbeardswerelongandboundwithclipsthatshowedthesignoftwocrossedaxes.Theyseemedtodolittleelsebutprayandtendtheenormousfirethatburnedconstantlyinapitintheantechamber.

Felix looked around.The ceilingwould be considered low in a human temple but itwas stillthreetimeshisownheight.Enormousstonesarcophagilinedthewalls.Eachwasastallasamanandcarved to represent a dwarf lying flat on his back, aweapon clutched to his chest.Thesewere thetombsoftheSlayerKings,Felixknew.FormanygenerationstheroyalfamilyofKarakKadrinhadbeenburiedhere.

The centre of the room was dominated by a massive altar over which loomed a statue of amightydwarfwarriorwithanaxeheldineachhand,standingwithhisfootontheneckofadragon.ThefiguredepictedwasrecognisablyaSlayer.Hisbeardwasshort.Amassivecresttoweredoverhishead.Adwarfkneltbeforethealtar,murmuringquietprayers.

OnthealtarrestedtheHammerofFirebeard.Justlookingatit,Felixfeltaspasmofpainpassthroughhisfingers.HecouldstillremembercarryingitintobattleagainstthegreatBloodthirsterofKaragDum.Mortalmanhadnotbeenmeanttowieldsuchaweapon,andhepaidthepriceforitinagony.Sometimes,inthestillsmallhoursofthenight,hewonderedaboutthis.Why,ofallthemenintheworld,hadthehammerallowedhimtowieldit?Hewasnohero.HehadnotevenwantedtobethereinKaragDum,andhecouldhavelivedhisentirelifequitehappilywithouteverseeingaGreatDaemonofChaos,letalonefightingone.

TheSlayerrosetohisfeetandturnedfromthealtarabruptly,notinthewayamanwouldleaveashrine sacred to his god, but in themanner of a warrior who had been given a command by hisgeneralandgoesatoncetocarryitout.Ashepassed,helookedatFelix.Hisfaceshowednosurpriseatseeingahumanthereinoneofthemostsacredsitesofhispeople.Lookingathim,Felixthoughtthe dwarf possessed the bleakest eyes he had ever seen. His facemight have been chiselled fromgranite. His features had a primitive massiveness to them of the sort sometimes seen in ancientdruidicalstatues.Hisheadhadbeenrecentlyshaved,saveforatinystripofhairthatmightonedaygrowintoacrest.Hisbeardhadbeenreducedtomerestubble.

Felixmadethesignofthehammerandadvancedonthealtar.Therewasnoparticularsignofthepresence of the dwarf god. The altar was amassive structure carved of solid stone. The hammer

appearedtobejustamassivewarhammerwhoseheadborethesamedwarfrunesasthealtaritself.Had Felix himself not held the hammer and felt its power, he would have thought it only animpressiveweaponandnotsomeholyrelic.

Onceagain,heaskedhimselfwhyhewashere.Whathadhehopedtogainbyvisitingtheshrine?Someinsightintothedwarfs,perhaps?Aglimpseofthepeculiarpsychologythatcausedsomanyofthemtoshavetheirheadsandsetouttoseektheirdooms?Itwasahardthingforhimtounderstand,andhecouldnotquitepicturehimselforanyothermandoingsuchathing.

Or perhaps he could. Men did self-destructive things all the time. They drank to excess andperformedfeatsoffoolishbravado.Theybecameaddictedtowitchweedandweirdroot.Theyjoinedthecultsof thedarkgodsofChaos.Theyfoughtduels for themostpettyandpointlessof reasons.Felix sometimes recognised a perverse and self-destructive urge in himself. Perhaps dwarfs justpossessedthistoagreaterdegree,and,intypicaldwarffashion,formaliseditmore.Perhapsherehemightlookupontheirgodandunderstandwhytheydidthis.

Headvancedtothefrontofthealtarandkneltatthefootofthestatue.Thestatueitselfshowedallthedwarfgeniusforstonework.Itwascarvedtoalevelofdetailthatnohumansculptorwouldhavethepatienceortheskilltomaster.Borekhadtoldhimthatthisstatuehadbeenlabouredoverbyfivegenerationsofmastercraftsmen,almostathousandyearsashumansreckonedtime.

Felixinspecteditclosely,asifitheldthekeytosomegreatmystery,asifbystudyingithemightcome to understand what drove Slayers to do what they did. If the statue knew the answer to hisquestions,itkeptanobstinatesilenceaboutit.Felixsmiledsadly,thinkingtherewasnothingherebutoldstonework.Ifthesewallswerepermeatedwiththeessenceofmillenniaofsacrifice,asthedwarfsclaimed,Felixcouldgetnosenseofit.Whathadheexpected?Hewasahuman,andthedwarfgodsshowedlittleenoughinterestintheirownrace,sowhyshouldtheypayanyattentiontohim?

Still,hewas inaholyplace, and itwoulddonoharm to riskaprayerwhilehewashere.Hecouldthinkofnothingtoaskfor,savethattheoldgodgrantGotrekthebravedoomhesought,andkeepFelixalivetorecordit.Foramoment,ashishandsinstinctivelymadethesignofthehammer,Felixthoughthesensedsomething.Adeepeningofthesilenceintheplace,akeennesscomingoverhissenses,asenseof thepresenceofsomethingancient,vastandpotent.Hegazedupon theblankfeaturesofGrimnironcemorebuttheywereunchanged.Thesternbutemptyeyesocketsinthehelmstilllookedoutontheworldwithoutpityorunderstanding.

Felixshookhishead.Perhapsitallhadbeeninhisimagination.Bestmentionthistonoone.Herose tohis feetandalmost reachedout to touch thehammer forone last time,butashedidsohisfingersbegan to tingleandherememberedall toovividly thepainofbearing theweapon.Perhapsthatwasthesignhewaitedfor,hethoughtsourly.Orperhapsitwassimplygiventoamanlikehimtobearaweaponlikethatonlyonceinhislife,andonlyforthemightiestofpurposes.Hedidnotknow.

Itmadehimthinkofhisstrangeexperiencewiththeswordandthedragon.HehadwantedtotalkMaxaboutit,butthingshadbeentouchybetweenhimselfandthemagician.Hesuspectedtheywereboth jealous of each other over Ulrika. Felix resolved that when the opportunity arose he woulddiscussit.Hedidnotlookbackashelefttheshrineandsteppedoutintothestreet.Itwastimetogetbacktothepalace.Heknewtheywouldbeleavingthecitysoon.

EIGHT

INTOTHEMOUNTAINSFelixmarchedwearilyalongthemountainpath.Hischainmailshirtfeltheavyandstrange,nowthathewaswearingitagainforthefirsttimeindays.Hewasgladtohaveitthough.Therewereorcsinthesemountainsandhewantedalltheprotectionhecouldget.

AheadofhimwereOlegandStanda.TheyflankedUlrika,whowasconspicuouslyignoringhim.Shehadacceptedhisapologyforhisdrunkennessbutnowshewassulkingagain.Well,at leastshehad decided to comewith him as far as the turn-off toUrskoy.All of theKisleviteswore leatherarmour and carried bows. They scanned the mountainside warily even though Peak Pass wassupposedly safe territory. He guessed that just being in the mountains made them nervous. TheirhomesweretheflatplainsofKislev,afterall,andtheyweremoreusedtobeingonhorsebackthanafoot.

Walking just behind them, leaning on a heavy oaken staff,wasMaxSchreiber.Max looked adapperfigureinthenewrobesofgoldenandyellowbrocadehe’dhadtailoredbackinthecity.Helooked ill at ease here, and kept studying the path as if expecting an ambush any moment. Felixunderstoodhisfearalltoowell.TherumoursbackinKarakKadrinspokenotonlyofthedragonbutof orcs and goblins in the mountains. Felix had fought greenskins before and did not relish theprospectofanotherencounterwiththem.

Hecastaglancebackoverhisshoulderforreassurance.Hewasastonishedtoseethattheyhadgatheredcompanionsastheyhadleftthecity.FournewSlayershadjoinedtheparty.Steghadjoinedthem,ashehadsaidhewouldbackintheIronDoor.HehadbeenlurkingatthemaingateofKarakKadrinastheyleft.Ulli,theboastfulyoungSlayer,hadfalleninstepwiththemafewhundredstridesalongtheroad.ArepulsivelyuglydwarfcalledBjorniBjornissonhadgreetedUlrikawithaknowingleerandbeggedpermissiontojointhem.Whennoonehadansweredheseemedtotakeitforgrantedandtaggedalong.Halfaleaguelatertheyhadovertakenthehammer-wieldingdwarfFelixhadseenintheTempleofGrimnir.Heseemedtoknowwhotheywereandlengthenedhisstridetokeepup.

Gotrekstrodealong,scowlinggrimly.Hisaxewasslungoverhisshoulderandheappearedtobedoinghisbesttoignorehiscomrades.SnorriNosebiterchuckledasBjorniBjornissonbawledouttheninety-seventhverseofsomebawdysongwhichinvolvedaSlayer,atrollandaconventfullofShallyitenunsamongotherthings.Bjorniwassinginginthecommontonguesotheymightallhavethebenefitofhishumour.Felixwasastonishedbytheimaginationheshowed.HedoubtedthathalfthethingstheSlayersangwereevenphysicallypossible.

BehindthemrodeMalakai.Hedroveacartfullofmysteriousequipmentwhichherefusedtoletanybodysee.Asthecartbouncedalongtheruttedroad,Felixcouldheartheclatterofmetalonmetal,soheknewthattheengineer ’sdaysattheforgehadproducedsomething,thoughhehadnoideawhat.Everysooften thedwarf flexed the reinsand the twosmallpitponiespulled theheavycarta littleharder.

Felixsmiledsourly.ItwashissuggestionthattheKislevitesshouldtryridingtheponies,theonlyhorsefleshavailableinthecityoftheSlayerKing,thathadputhiminthedoghousewithUlrikathistime.Shehadnotwanted to see the joke.Heguessed that shewas already embarrassed enoughbyhavingtoaccompanytheSlayersafterall,andhiscommenthadbeenall that it tooktogoadhertofury.Thisinsighthadcomerathertoolatetodohimanygood.

BehindthewagoncameSteg,whoFelixoccasionallysawsneakingpeeksatthewagonwhenever

theystopped.ItwasonlythepresenceofthelasttwoSlayers,Ulliandthesilentnewcomer,thatkepthim from investigating. Felix did not knowwhichwasworse,Bjorni’s singing orUlli’s incessantboasting.Atleastthelastdwarf,thenamelessone,wasquiet.Therewasthattobethankfulfor.

He supposed there were other things to be grateful for as well. It was a beautiful day. Themountain airwas fresh and pure. The skywas clear and bluewith not a cloud in sight.Mountainflowersbloomedalongthesideofthepass.HaditnotbeenfortheireventualdestinationFelixmightalmost have enjoyed the walk. In his career as Gotrek’s henchman he had been in far lessprepossessingplaces.

HerethePeakPasswaswideandeasytotravel.ItdescendedintotheplainsoftheeasternEmpireand joined the trade road through the province of Osterland. The path was wide and paved withcracked flagstones that testified to the lengthof timedwarfshadbeenusing the route.Felixwouldhavelikedtofollowthispathbackdownintothelandsofmen,buthisoathtofollowGotrekandhisdesiretobewithUlrikacompelledhimtodootherwise.

Soon theywould turnnorthwards to take theOldHighRoad toKarakUngor, into thevalleyshauntedbythedragonandbyman-hatingorcs.Hedidhisbesttoforgetthisandconcentrateonhissurroundings. Copses of pine trees darkened the mountain sides. Smoke rose from where dwarfcharcoal burnerswere atwork.Here and there along higher trails herds of goats and sheepwerewatchedoverbydwarfshepherds.ItwasawondertoFelixtoseemembersoftheElderRaceengagedinsuchmundaneprofessions.

HealwaysthoughtofthemasSlayersandengineersanddiggersoftunnels.Tohim,astomostmen,dwarfswereminers,dwellersindeeptunnels,makersoffineweapons.Itwashardnow,despitethe evidenceofhisowneyes, todispel that image.Still, he supposed like everyone else, theElderRacehadtoeat,andtherecertainlyweredwarfbrewers,butchersandbakers.HehadseenevidenceofthiswithhisowneyesbackinKarakKadrin.Hesupposedhisownexperiencewithdwarfshaduptillnow been limited to the more exotic types the mountain people produced: Slayers, scholars,engineers, priests. He had never visited a fully functioning dwarf city, only the tiny colony thatdwelledamid the ruinsofKaragEightPeaks, and theenormousdesolate labyrinthofKaragDum.Thehuge industrial complex at theLonelyTower that hadproduced theSpirit ofGrungniwas farfromtypical,heknew.ItwasasecretkeptevenfromthemajorityoftheElderRace.

Heflexedhisshoulderstosettlehispackmorecomfortably.HehadconsideredaskingMalakaiif he could put it on the cart, but had decided against it for two reasons.TheSlayer engineerwastouchyenoughatthemoment,andhewantedtohaveallhisstuffonhimifforsomereasonhegotseparatedfromtherestoftheparty.Hehadlearnedenoughinhisyearsofadventuringtobepreparedfortheworst.

Heshookhishead, realising thathewassimply trying todistracthimself fromthinkingaboutUlrika.Heknewthatifshewasbeingunreasonable,hewastoo,andhewasdamnedifhecouldfindanyreasonforit.Hejustseemedundulysensitivetoherbehaviour.Itwasasifeverythingshedidhadamagnifiedeffectonit.What,inanyotherhumanbeing,hewouldhavedismissedasaminorfoible,somehowbecame in her amajor flaw.Words,which fromanyone elsewould have been simply ajoke,becamesubtleinsultsandputdowns,tobebroodedoverandanalysedindepth.ThefactthatMaxwaswalkingclosertoherthanhewasbecameathreat,andmadehimunreasonablyjealous.Partofhimknewthatthisunduesensitivitywasbecausehewasinlove,andthatperhapsheroddbehaviourcame about for a similar reason. But part of himwent ahead and acted on his own unreasonableimpulses anyway. This was something the love poets never mentioned, and he felt annoyed by it.Perhapsitmeantthathewasnotreallyinlovewithherafterall.

Or perhaps the love poets simplified things, tomake themneater and to turn them into better

stories.Andperhapstheywerenotbeingdishonesteither.Memoryplayedtricks.HerememberedhisfirstloveKirstenfondly,hadforgottenmostofthebadthingsabouttheirrelationshipandidolisedthegoodones.Yet heknew that he andKirstenhadhadbaddays, andhad argued andhad simplynotwantedtotalktoeachother.Itwasonlyhuman.Andhehadcaredaboutherinspiteofthebadthingsthatsometimeshappenedbetween them.Sometimeshesuspected itwaseasierandmorepleasant tolivewiththememoriesofapastlovethanitwastobeinvolvedinanewone.Afterall,hecouldedithismemoriesthewayhehadonceeditedhispoems,selectingthegoodparts,polishingthemtilltheyshone.Realityalwayshadflaws.Belliesrumbledwhenyoumadelove.Wordsthatshouldbespokensometimesneverare.Realpeoplewerecontradictory,annoyingandsometimesselfish. Just likehewas,heremindedhimself.

HeknewthatUlrikawasbeingunreasonable.Heknewthathewasintheright.Heknewthatheshould wait for her to come and apologise. His pride demanded it, and so did this strange nearsubliminalanger.Yetsomehowhefoundhislegscarryinghimselfforwardtoherside,andhislipsmurmuringanapology,andhishandreachingouttotakehersandsqueezeherfingers.

And just as strangely as everything else, he found that this made him, if not happy, at leastcontent.

***Thecampfireburned.Felixhelpedhimselftoanothersliceofwaybreadandspiceddwarfsausage.HelookedacrossatUlrikaandsmiled.Shesmiledback.Theyhadmadetheirpeacethatday,atleastfor a littlewhile.MaxSchreiberwas a shadowy formon the far side of the flames.He sat cross-leggedontheground,breathingdeeply,seeminglyengagedinsomemysticalexercise.FelixdidnotknowwhybuthefeltcertainthatdespitethefactheappearedtobeasleepMaxwaswellawareofallthatwentonaroundhim.OlegandStandakeptguardafewpacesoff,facingoutintothedarknesssoasnottoruintheirnightvision.Feelingthewinehehaddrunkearliergorighttohisbladder,Felixexcusedhimselfandgotuptomakewater.

On his return he paused to observe the dwarfs for amoment.Makaisson sat glaring into theflames,while his fingers toyed idlywith the innards of some small clockwork device. Beside theengineersatBjorni,Ulliandthesilentdwarf.AsFelixpassedBjornisummonedupthecouragetodowhatFelixhadwantedtodoallday.

“What’syourname?”heaskedthestranger.“Grimme,” answered the newcomer, and his tone and his featuresweremore than enough to

preventanyfurtherquestions.Bjornidecidedthatthisjustmadehimabetteraudience.“Well,Grimme,youmighthaveheardstoriesaboutmeandthethreeelfmaidens.It’snottrue.

Wellnotentirelytrue.Therewereonlytwoofthem,andonlyonewaselven,wellhalf-elvenactually,andIdidn’t find thatout till later, though thepointyearsshouldhavebeenagiveawaybutshewaswearingaheadscarfyousee.AndIwasdrunk,andallcatsaregreyinthedarkand…”

IfGrimmeheardhegavenosign.Hesimplycontinuedtostaremoroselyintothefire.FelixtriedtotuneBjorniout.HeandUlliseemedtohavebecomesoulmates.Theyatleastprovidedeachotherwithanaudiencefortheirendlessboasting.Bjornihadaninterminablesourceofanecdotesabouthislovelife.Ullitalkedofnothingexceptthefightshehadbeenin,andthebattleshewasgoingtowin.

“…and then I said, bringme a donkey,” Bjorni said. “You should have seen the look on herface…”

Felixglancedoverat theotherSlayers toseehow theywere taking it.Grimmesimplyglaredbleaklyintothefire,lostinsomeinnerworldofmiseryandtorment.Felixwantedtotalktohimbutheknewhisattentionswouldnotbewelcome.

Stegsatbeneaththewagon,whittlingapieceofwoodwithhisknife,seeminglyunawareofthe

casual glances Makaisson directed at him occasionally. Beyond the wagon, Snorri Nosebiter andGotrekkeptwatch.Felixwalkedovertoseehowitwasgoing.

“Thereisastrangercoming,”saidSnorriNosebiter.“Snorricansmellhim.”Gotrekgrunted. “Ihaveknown that for the last fiveminutes. It is adwarf that comesandone

we’llsoonbehavingwordswith.”FelixknewbetterthantoquestionGotrekoraskhowheknewwhathedid.Overtheyearshehad

developedatremendousrespectforthekeennessoftheSlayer ’ssenses.Inthedarkandwildplacesoftheworld,thedwarfwasathomeinawayamancouldneverbe.

Felix glanced over in the direction Gotrek indicated with a jerk of his thumb. There wassomethingmovingoutthere.InthelightofthetwomoonsFelixcouldseetwoshadowyoutlines.Astheycamecloser,hecouldheartheclip-clopofhoovesonstone.

AsthestrangerapproachedFelixsawthatitwasadwarfleadingamule.“Greetings,strangers,”hesaid.“Cananoldprospectorshareyourfire?”“Aye,youcan,”Gotreksaid.“Ifyoutellusyourname.”“IamMalgrim,sonofHurni,ofclanMagrest.Whomightyoube?”“IamGotrek,sonofGurni.”“SnorriNosebiter.”Theprospectorwaswithinsword’sreachnow.Felixcouldseehewasatypicaldwarf,shortbut

broad. Hewore some sort of hooded jerkin which covered his head, and his long beard reachedalmost tohisknees.Hehadapickaxe inonehand,andby thewayheheld itFelixguessedhewasproficientatusingitasaweapon.Therewasashovelslungoverthepackonthemule’sback,alongwith the sort ofmeshpansprospectors used to filter gold from riverwater.Thedwarf’s facewasseamedandhiseyeswerewary.TheywentatriflewiderwhenhesawthatGotrekandSnorriwereSlayers,andwiderstillwhenhesawthatFelixwasahuman.

“TwoSlayerstravellingwithamanoftheEmpire,”hesaid.“Iamsurethereisatalethere.”Felixaccompanied thedwarfsback to the fire.Malgrim lookedat the fiveSlayersand thenat

GotrekandSnorri.“Ihadnotheardthekinfolkmusteredforwar,”hesaid.“Nobattle-bannershavepassedamongthemountainclans.”

“Thereisnomustering,”Gotreksaidandslumpeddownbesidethefire.FelixrealisedthatMalgrimthoughttheonlyreasonsomanySlayerscouldhaveassembledwas

toansweracalltobattle.“Apity,”saidMalgrim,“forthereisgreatneed.Theorcsofthemountainsassembleforbattle.

UgrekManflayerhasorganisedallthetribesunderhisbanner.”Felixshivered.EvenindistantAltdorf,hehadheardtalesoftheManflayer.Hisnamewasusedto

terrifynaughty children.Hewas said tobe agiganticorcwho skinnedhis captives alive andusedtheir hides to make his clothing. Felix had always considered the tale merely a legend, but theprospector sounded convinced of his existence, and he did not seem like a dwarf who merelyrecountedtraveller ’stalesforthesakeofit.

ToFelix’ssurpriseitwasMaxSchreiberwhospokenext.“Therearetalesofagreenskinshamaninthemountains.Heissaidtohavepowerfulmagic.IheardhetoofollowstheManflayer.”

“Well,iftheygetinourway,we’llshowthemwhattheirinnardslooklike!”bellowedUlli.“WeareonourwaytoslaythedragonSkjalandir.”

The prospector glanced around him and slowly nodded his head, as if understanding weredawning.“IhadwonderedwhatwouldbringsevenSlayersintothemountainswhennobattle-bannersfly.Itisamightydeathindeedthatyouseekforthedragonwillgiveyouone.SincehisreawakeninghehasscouredtheHighValleysandmadeof theManlingValesadesolation.Still, Iwonder ifyou

willevencatchsightofhimforthegreenskinsarenumerousandtherearehumanbanditsinthehillstoo.”

“Thingsaregriminthemountains,”Felixsaid.IfMalgrimheardtheironyinhisvoicehegavenosign.

“Aye.Therewerealwayswildhillmenbuttheyhavebeenjoinedbydesperatefolkdrivenfromtheir farmsby thedepredationsof theorcsand thefiredrake.Life isshortandcheap in theheightsrightnow.Evenmoresothanusual.”

“WhydoesUngrimmIronfistnotgatherhisarmyandrestorethepeace?”saidFelix.Malgrim’s laughterwas joined by the other dwarfs. “It isUngrimm’s duty to keep Peak Pass

clear,andpreventtheorchordesoftheeastfrompassingthroughintothelandsofmen.Ifhewastodesert thisvalewithhis forceand thegreenskinsgotwordof it, thenanorchordewouldsoonberampagingthroughyourEmpire’seasternprovinces.”

“Whyisthatimportanttothedwarfs?WhyshouldtheycarewhetherOsterlandisinvaded?”Malgrim looked shocked. “There are binding oaths and treaties of friendship between our

peoples.Humansmayforgettheoldties,butthekinfolkdonot.Asourancestorssworesoshallwedo.”

“Aye,tisso!”bellowedUlli.“Also,”Malgrimadded,“thispassisours.Wewillnotallowthegreenskinsfreepassagethrough

it.”Felixcouldseethatallofthiswassimplyalong-windedwayofsayingthatthedwarfswouldnot

send forces to clear out the High Peak Road. As he considered the prospector ’s words anotherthoughtstruckhim.IftheElderRacefeltthisway,whywouldtheyevenconsidersendingtroopstoaid theKislevites?Simple reflectiongavehim theanswer.The threatofChaoswasof anorderofmagnitudegreaterthanmeregreenskintribesraidingintohumananddwarflands.Ifthenorthlandsfellbeforetheonslaughtofthehordesthenallthesouthlandswouldfallsoonafterwards.Atleast,hehopedthedwarfsthoughtthisway.Therewaslittlehopeofhelpiftheydidnot.

“Isaywestopandslaughtersomegreenskinsonourwaytofacethedragon!”saidUlli.“Youcanifyewant tae,”Makaissonsaid.“Ahhaebusinesswaethatbigbeastieanditwullnae

wait.”“Thegreenskinswillstillbethereafterthedragonisdealtwith.That’sifanyofusarealiveto

care,”Bjornisaid.“Ifanyorcsgetinourwaywewillkillthem,”Gotreksaid.“Otherwisewegotokillthedragon.”“Snorri thinks that’s a fine plan,” said Snorri Nosebiter, then added wistfully, “still, Snorri

wouldn’tmindslaughteringafewgreenies.”“It’slate,”Gotreksaid.“Thosewhoaren’tonguardshouldgetsomesleep.”Theprospectornoddedandlaidhimselfdownbythefire.FelixreturnedtowhereUlrikaandthe

otherhumansweresitting.“Whatwasthatallabout?”Ulrikaasked.“TheSlayerscan’tdecidewhetherweshouldcleansethemountainsoforcsordragonsfirst.”“Whynotdoboth?”askedOlegironically.“Hush!”Felixsaid.“Theymighthearyou.”

All around great bonfires blazed. From nearby Thanquol could hear the disquieting roars ofbeastmenandthethunderofhugedrums.HecouldsmelltensofthousandsofbeastmennearbyandthousandsoftheblackarmouredChaoswarriors.Heknewthenthathewasintheencampmentofthelargest army he had encountered since he himself had commanded the massive skaven force thatattackedNuln.Healsosuspected that in termsofsheerrawpower thismonstrousforcecompletely

outclassedeventhatmightyskavenhorde.HeknewenoughofthefollowersofChaostounderstandthatoneforonetheyweremorethanamatchforallbutthemostpuissantofskaven.

Allaroundhecouldsmellwarpstone,andhismagician’ssensestoldhimthatthewindsofmagicblewstrongaroundthisarmy.Itwasworrying,forheknewthatthisforcepossessednotonlymerephysicalmight,butaterriblemagicalpotencyaswell.Heknewthatevenatthepeakofhispowershewouldbehardpressedtoovercomethesorcerersgatheredhere,andhewasfarfromtheunassailableheightofhisawesomeabilities.

Hecould tell just fromtheflowofenergiesaroundhimthathiscaptorswereapproachingtheheartofthehorde,thenexusaroundwhichallthisenergyflowed.Astheycamecloserhesensedthepresenceofmightybeings,creaturesofapotencyhehadnotencounteredsincehestoodbeforetheCouncilofThirteenthemselves.

AttheheartofthecampwasagreatgatheringofarmouredChaoswarriors.Theirsteedsroamednearbyasthemasterssquattedbesidecampfiresthatburnedyellowandgreenandothercoloursthatspokeofmagicalorigin.TheytalkedtoeachotherintheirdebasedtongueandThanquolcouldtelljustfromtheirtonethattheywereboastingofconqueststocome.Justlookingatthemfilledhisheartwithfearand tightenedhismuskglands.Heglancedaround,suddenlygrateful thatLurkwas there.ThepresenceofanotherskavenwassomehowreassuringeventoGreySeerThanquolinthecentreofthisawfulforce.

Ahead of them, he was sure they would find the war leaders of the horde. He sensed theirpresencebeforehesawthem,andwhentheycameintoviewheknewhisimpressionswerecorrect.

Ahugearmouredfigureloungedinamassivethroneofcrystalthatpulsedwithsubduedyellowsandgreens.Thethronefloatedafingerbreadthovertheground.Usinghissorcerer ’ssensesThanquolcouldseethatboththemanandhisseatwerepermeatedwiththeenergiesofChaos.Acrosshiskneeswasamassivetwo-handedbroadswordcoveredinyellowishglowingrunes.Thanquoldidnothavetobe told that theweaponwas enwrappedwith themightiest of killingmagics.He could see this forhimself, just as he could see that the armour was designed to act not merely as a shield againstweaponsbutagainstsorcerytoo.Theman’sarmourwasgoldenwithgreenishrondelsandinscribedwithrunesthatThanquolknewweresacredtoTzeentch.

Flankingthethroneweretwofigures.Theywereleanandvulturish,unarmouredandswathedinhugecloakswhosefoldsgavethemaresemblancetowings.Theirskinhadanalbinowhitenessthatwasclosetothegreyseer ’sown.Lookingcloselyattheirthin,hungryfeaturesandhellishlyglowingeyes Thanquol could see that they were twins, identical in all ways except one. The one on thegeneral’srighthandsideheldagoldsheathedstaffinhisrighthand.Theoneontheleftheldastaffofebonyandsilverinhislefthand.Thehandwhichheldthegold-sheathedstaffhadlongtalonlikenailsofgold.Thetalonsoftheleft-handwizardwereencasedinsilver.ThatthetwowerepotentsorcererswasimmediatelyobvioustoThanquol.UnwillingashewastoconcedethatanysavetheCouncilofThirteenmight be stronger than he in the use ofmagic, he knew that hewould need to consumeprodigious amounts ofwarpstone to overcome either one of these two in sorcerous battle. If theyworkedtogether,hefearedtoconsiderthepowerstheymightwield.

TheChaoswarlordglaredbalefullydownatThanquol.Thegreyseeratonceprostratedhimself,andsaid,“Ibringgreetings,mightywarlord,fromtheCouncilofThirteen.”

“Yourmastersknewofourcomingthen,greyseer?”saidthewarlord.Thanquolthoughtitbettertoliethantoadmitthetruth.Hesensedtendrilsofmysticalenergycomingfromthetwowizardswhoflankedthewarlord.Immediatelyhemaskedhisthoughtsasbesthecould.Sincehewasagreyseer,heknewthiswasverywellindeed.

“Theysensedamightygatheringofforcesandsentmenorthwardstoinvestigate.”

Well, it could almost be true, thought Thanquol. “Alone and unaccompanied. That is mostunusual,”saidthemaguswiththegoldstaff.

“I am accompanied by my bodyguard, Lurk Snitchtongue, and protected by my own mightymagic. What need have I of any other protection?” Thanquol said, a hint of his old arrogancereturning.

“Whatneedindeed,”saidthesorcererwiththeebonystaff.Thanquolnoticedthehintofmockeryinhisvoiceandvowedthatonedayhewouldmakethemagicianpayforit.Howdarethishairlessapemake light of the greatest sorcerer in skavendom. “Tis true your bodyguard shows signs of theblessingsofourlordTzeentch.TheGreatMutatorhastouchedhim.HehasthefavouroftheChangeroftheWays.”

ThanquolglaredoveratLurk,whopreenedhimselfvisiblyatthesewords.Blackrageateatthegreyseer ’sbowels.ThanquolwonderedifLurkhadbeenconsortingwiththefollowersoftheChaosPowerswhilehewasintheWastes.Thatwouldexplainthechangesinhim,forsure.IfthiswerethecasehewouldbemadetopayforhisapostasytotheHornedRat.Anotherscoretosettle,Thanquoltoldhimself.Assuminghesurvivedthisencounter,whichatthemomentlookedbynomeanscertain.

“Youleadthisgreathost?”Thanquolasked,outofpoliteness.“I am Arek Demonclaw,” said the Chaos warrior, “Chosen of Tzeentch. These are Kelmain

BlackstaffandLhoigorGoldenrod,myspellcrafters.”“Ithankyouforthisinformation,mightyone,”Thanquolsaiddiplomatically.“IamGreySeer

ThanquolandIabasemyselfathousandtimesbeforeyouandofferyoutheallianceoftheCouncilofThirteen.”

Thanquolknewhewasbeinga littleprematureherebuthewasdetermined tosayanythingheneededtogethimselfoutofthistrap.“Wehavenoneedofalliances,GreySeerThanquol.Whatyouseehereisbutthevanguardofagreaterhost.ThePowersmarchforthtoclaimthelandsofmenoncemore.ThosewhodonotabasethemselvesbeforethePowersofRuin,andmostespeciallymymasterTzeentch,willbedestroyed.Thisworldwillbecleansedandremadeintheimagewedesireandallthefalsegodsandtheirfollowerswillbesweptaway.”

Therewassomething inArek’svoice thatcompelledbelief.HiswordsalmostconvincedevenThanquol,butthegreyseerwastoowilyasorcererandtoowellschooledinthewaysofmagicnottorecogniseapotentspellwhenheencounteredone.Hedismissedthehypnoticcompulsioninthevoiceby an effort ofwill.A glance at Lurk told him that his henchmanwasmaking no such effort.HelookedatArekenthralled.

Thanquol could understandwhy. Lurkwas ensnared by theGift of Tzeentch thewarlordwasusing, and his feeblemindwas enthralled by the dark visions of conquest that hovered behind theChaos warrior ’s words. He had even raised his head from the dirt to hear them better. The twosorcerers looked down at him with mocking interest. Thanquol concentrated on matters at hand,decidinghehadbestfindoutwhatwasgoingon,whilehisenemiesseemedinthemoodtoanswerhisquestions.

“AllfourofthePowersmarchthen?”“Aye. Tis the way. When one makes a move, the others must respond, lest they lose some

advantage.”ThatmadesensetoaskavenasastuteasThanquol.Itwasexactlythewaytheclansofhisown

racemanoeuvred back in Skaven-blight. He sensed that hewas beginning to understandwhat washappeninghere,andmightevenbeabletouseittohisadvantage.

PerhapshecouldevenseethereasonwhytheseChaosworshippershadsparedhim.“Thereareadvantagestobegainedinalliances,”hesaid.“Myowngodismightyandhasgreat

powers.Mypeoplepossessvastarmies.”“Yourgodisweakerthanours,GreySeerThanquol,buthisaidmightproveuseful.Yourarmies

mightjoinourownintime.Certainly,wearetheonlyoneswhowillmakethisoffer.ThefollowersofKhornearetoobrutish.ThefollowersofNurglecareonlyforthespreadingoftheirfoulplagues,andthefollowersofSlaanesharetoowrappedupintheirownpursuitofpleasuretoconsideraughtbutthat.”

“IwillconveyyourwordstotheCouncilofThirteenandexplainallthatyouhavesaidtothem.”Thanquolmouthedtheemptywordsexpertly,stillworryingaboutwhathadbeendonetoLurk.

“Seethatyoudo,GreySeerThanquol,andyourrewardswillbegreat.”“Ithankyoumightywarlord.”SuddenlyathoughtstruckThanquol.Hedoubtedthathisrequest

wouldbegrantedbuthecouldseenoharminasking.“Isensethesubstanceknownaswarpstoneiscarriedbyyourarmy.”

“Itisoneofourmaster ’sgreatestgiftsandisusedinsorceryandinthemakingofweapons.”“We too use it for such purposes, which I take as a sign of our common purpose,” said

Thanquol,pleasedwithhisowneloquence.“Doyouwishsome?”askedthesorcererwiththegoldenstaff.Thanquolcouldnotquitebelieve

hisluck.Helickedhislipsgreedily.“Yes-yes!”hesaid.“Thenyou shall have it.”The sorcerer flexed his fingers and the air in front of himglowed.

Particlesofgreenishdust flowed together formingaball the sizeofThanquol’s fist.With anothergesture themage sent it spinning towards the grey seer. Thanquol knew instantlywhat itwas, andsnatcheditoutoftheair.Hispawtingledashecloseditaroundasphereofthepurestwarpstonehehad ever encountered.Hastily he pushed it into his pouch.He could not believe the fools had justhandedhimthekeytosomuchpower.Someinnerinstinct,whichhehadlongagolearnedtotrust,toldhim tobe careful. Perhaps all of thiswasmerely a trap.Still, he couldnot quite seewhat theChaosworshippershadtogain.Hewasalreadyintheirpower.

“Anenclaveofyourkindisnear,”Areksaid.“TheplacecalledHellPit.Iwillinstructmyriderstoescortyouthere.Seethatyoubearourwordstoyourrulers,GreySeerThanquol,andspeakfairlyofus.”

“RestassuredIwill,”Thanquolsaid,offeringupasilentprayertotheHornedRatthankinghimforhisdeliverance.ItlookedlikeheandLurkweregoingtogetawayfromthehordewiththeirlives.

Thesuspiciouspartofhim,whichhadkepthimalivesolong,toldhimthatitwasn’tgoingtobequitethateasy.FelixwatchedasMalgrimrolleduphisblanketsandplacedtheminthepackonthemule’sback.Thedwarflookedatthemandthenshookhishead.

“I’dtellyoualltobecareful,butitwouldbedafttosaythattosevenSlayersandarememberer,soI’lljustthankyoufortheuseofyourfire,yourfoodandyourcompany.”

“Haveyouanynewsoftheroadahead?”Felixasked.“Aye,”said theprospector.“Aboutaday’smarchahead,you’ll find thevillageofGelt. It’san

oddplace,ameetingplaceforprospectors,andatradingpostforthemountain-folk.There’sadeepminetherestill.Andaninn.Isuggestyoutakeadvantageofit,foryou’llbeseeingthelastfriendlyfacesyou’regoingtoseeforawhile.”

Malgrimpausedandconsideredhisnextwords.“That’siftheorcshaven’trazedtheplacetotheground.”

NINE

ANORCISHENCOUNTERFelixstrodedownthepathintothesmallvalley.HewaspleasedtoseethatGeltstillstood.Itwasaplacidenoughlookinglittlesettlement,ifyoudiscountedthehighstonewalls,toppedwithawoodenpalisade,andtheguardtowersthatloomedabovethewalls.Ithadbeenbuiltonaknobofrockrisingin themiddle of the valley. From his vantage point on the trail above the village, Felix could seesmokedriftingupwardsthroughholescutintheturfroofedstonecottages.Therewasalargecentralstructure he took to be the inn.On a ledge above the villagewaswhat he first took to be anotherwatchtowerandeventually realisedwas the fortifiedentrance to themine.Agravelpath ranall thewaydownthehillsidetothegatesofthetown.

Judging from the sizeof theplace several hundredpeople lived there, andby the lookof thefortifications,itwouldbeahardplacetotakebystorm.Hecouldseehumansanddwarfswalkingthestonystreetsinaboutequalnumbers.

“Lookslikeasafeenoughplace,”hesaidaloud,asmuchtoreassurehimselfasforthesakeofspeaking.

“Aye,manling,providingtheattackersdon’thavesiegeengines,”saidGotrek.“Orpowerfulsorcery,”saidMaxSchreiber.“Oraren’tmountedonflyingmonsters,”addedUlrika.Felixglancedaroundathiscompanions.“SorryIspoke,”hesaideventually.“Ihatetodestroy

yourcheerymood.”“Snorri is looking forward to a drop of ale,” said Snorri Nosebiter. “Old Hargrim said the

BrokenPickaxebrewsthebestaleinthemountains.”“Thenwhatarewewaitingfor?”Gotreksaid.“Let’sgetdownthere.”“Don’tworry,FelixJaeger,”Ullisaid.“NoorcwoulddareattackGeltwhileIamthere.”“Wonderiftheyhaveanybargirls?”Bjornisaid.“Icouldusealittlecompany.”“Maybethere’llbeagameofchance,”saidSteg.“Ibroughtmyownspecialdice.”Grimmemerelyshookhishead,suckedhisteeth,andmarchedstolidlydownthehill.Attherear,

StandaandOlegglancedovertheirshoulders.Theyhadtheirstrungbowsheldreadyintheirhands,buttherewasnoperceptiblethreat.

“Goon,”Felixsaid.“Weshouldbesafeforthisevening,atleast.”“Ifthedragondoesn’tcomegetus,”Olegsaid.“Lookon the bright side,”Felix said.Misgivings and forebodings aside, everybody looked a

littlehappieroncetheywerepastthedwarfsentriesonthegate.TheBrokenPickaxehada largecommon room.A roaring fire served tokeepout the chill of themountainnight.Felixglancedaroundatthecrowd.Theirpartywasattractingalotofattention,whichwasn’tsurprisingwhenyouconsideredit.HowoftendidthesepeopleseesevenSlayerstravellinginthecompanyoffivehumans?

Thecrowditselfwasanunusualone.Itseemedtoconsistofanequalmixofhumansanddwarfs.Most of the dwarfs had the pale faces and scrubbed clean lookofminers afterwork.The humanswere a more mixed bunch. Some of the tougher looking ones wore the warm leather garmentsfavouredbyhighmountainprospectors.Otherslookedlikepeddlersandshopkeepers.Noneofthemlookedexactlyprosperous,butnonelookedstarvedeither.

AsilencehadspreadacrosstheroomastheSlayerstookuponelongtable.ThisclosetoKarakKadrinnoonewasgoing tobestupidenoughtoobject.Allof themknewexactlywhat theSlayerswere and what they were capable of when annoyed. Felix had joined Ulrika, Max and the twobodyguardsat thetablenexttotheSlayers.SomesemblanceofnormalbusinesswasrestoredwhenGotrekcalledforale,anorderswiftlysecondedbySnorriNosebiterandMalakaiMakaisson.

A fat, prosperous looking dwarf with a balding head, rosy cheeks and a long greying beardbroughtthealeoverhimself.Judgingbytheproprietorialairhecastovertheplace,hewasobviouslytheowneroftheinn.

“You’llbewantingroomsforthenight?”heasked.“TheSlayerswillsleepinthecommonroom,”Gotreksaid.“Thehumansmightwanttheirown

chambers.”“Wedo,”saidUlrika,glancingoveratFelix.Maxnoticedthisandlookedaway,adding,“I’lltake

aroomtomyself.”“MeandStandawillstayinthecommonroom,”Olegsaidtuggingmoroselyathismoustache.

Standabeamedapprovalofhiscomrade’sdecision.Ulrikaagreed.“I’llseethebestroomsareairedandthebedsturnedout.There’sanipintheair,soyou’llbe

wantingafire,nodoubt?”Felixcouldimaginethatthebillwasincreasingwitheveryword,butsowhat,hethought.This

mightbehislastchanceofacomfortablebedinthislife,sowhystinttonight?“Whynot?”“Andyou’llbewantingfoodtoo,nodoubt?”“Aye.Bringusthestewwesmell,andbreadandcheese,”saidUlli.“Andmoreale,”addedSnorri.“Snorrihasathirst.”“Andyou’llbepayingfortheroomsandthefoodnow,willyou?”The innkeeperwasobviously takingnochanceswith theirabscondingwithoutpaying,even if

theywere Slayers. Possibly even because theywere Slayers. After all, theywere dwarfs who hadsomehowfailedtoabidebythenormaldwarfcodeofhonour.MalakaiMakaissondugintohispurseand gold changed hands. Felix could not see howmuch but the innkeeper ’s eyeswidened, and hebecameparticularlyjovial.ItlookedlikeMalakaithoughtthesamewayasFelixdidaboutstayingintheinn.

“Andthat’llkeepthebeerscomin’ahnicht,”saidMalakai.“Andah’llbesleepinginthewagonsothere’snoneedtoclearmeaspaceinthecommonroom.”

Steglookedalittledisgruntledbythat,butafterasipoftheale,hisexpressionbecameslightlymorecontented.

“Thatitwill,”saidtheinnkeeperandbellowedinstructionstohisstaff.Bjorni’seyeswidenedasabustybarmaidapproached.Withinseconds,hewasslappingherrump,andwhisperinginherear.Ifthebarmaidwasoffendedshegavenosign.

Felixsampledadropoftheale,andnodded.“Malgrimwasright,”hesaid.“Thisisfineale.”“It’snotbad,”allowedGotrek,whichfortheSlayerwashighpraiseindeed.Nowthathehadbeenpaid,theinnkeeperseemedmoreinclinedtobesociable.“Andyou’llbe

takingtheHighRoadtoRadasdorpthen?”“If it’son theway to thedragon’smountainwewill,”bellowedUlli,obviously takingagreat

dealofpleasurefromthebuzzofconversationthisstarted.“Soit’sthedragonyou’reafter,”saidtheinnkeeper.“Aye,”Malakaisaid.“We’regannaekillthegreatbigscalybeastie!”

“It’sbeentriedbefore,”saidtheinnkeeper.Felixlookedover,hisinterestsuddenlypiqued.“Bywhom?”heasked.“Half a dozen Slayers have passed through here in the past couple of years - not all at once

mind,”saidtheinnkeeper.“Noneofthemevercameback.”“Theorcsprobablyatethem,”bellowedoneofthehumans.“Orskinnedthem,”addedanothermanominously.“Aye,”saidanancient lookingminer.“That’dbe likelyenough.Oneof theSlayerswasfound

skinnedaliveandnailedtoatreebytheroadside.TheyreckontheManflayerisusinghishideforanewpairofbootsnow.”

“Another ’sheadwasfoundonaspikeupneartheMirnekPass.Thecrowswaspeckinghiseyesoutsotheywas.”

“Andtherewasoneofthosehumanknights,onabigblackcharger,”saidtheinnkeeper.“Saidhehadamagicswordandadragon-killinglance.”

“Henevercamebackeither,”oneofthedwarfssaidgloomily.“Mostlikelytheorcsgothimtoo,”saidthefirstmanwhospoke.“Or the human bandits. Henrik Richter is a nasty piece of work,” said the innkeeper. Seeing

Felix’senquiringglance,hesaid,“He’sthelocalbanditchiefthesedays.He’sbeenforgingthehumanbands intoasmallarmy.Since theManflayercamethehumanshaveneededit tosurvive.Theysaythere’llbewarforcontrolofthehighcountrybetweenthosetwosoon.Icanbelieveit.”

“ItsoundsliketheHighRoadhasbecomeverydangerous,”Felixsaid.“Thiswasneverthesafestofplacestolive,”saidtheinnkeeper.“Buteversincethedragoncame

backit’sgotdownrightdangerous.Ireckonit’sonlyamatteroftimebeforeitattacksGelt.It’ssaidtohavedestroyedalltheothertownsalongtheHighRoadnow.”

“Youmeanwecouldjustwaithereanditwillcometous?”Felixaskedhopefully.“Aye.Mostlikely.”“Ahdinnaehaetimetaewaste.Iwantthatbeastiedeid,andahwantitsoon.”“There’smoregloryinseekingitout!”shoutedUlli.“Andifanygreen-skinoranyhumantries

tostopus,they’llgetablowfrommyaxe.”“Och,ifanyofthemtrytostopus,ahhaeanastyweesurpriseforthem,”Malakaisaid.Felixdid

notdoubtthatwastrue.HehadseenampleevidenceoftheEngineer ’sgeniusatdevisingweapons.Ofcourse, most ofMalakai’s weapons were experimental and subject to malfunction. Some of themmightproveasdangeroustotheirwieldersastoanyfoe.

“Andwhatmight thatbe?”askeda largeburlymanwholookedmore likeamercenarythanaprospector.

“Onybodythat’s interestedcanattackusandfindoot,”saidMalakaiwithahintofsatisfaction.Felixwasnowreallycuriousaboutwhattheengineerhaduphissleeve.

“Thereareplentyhereinthemountainswhowilltakeyouuponthat,”saidthemanwithasneer.Felixwondered if this foolwas tiredof living. Itwasnotwise to sneer at anySlayer, evenoneasrelativelyeventemperedasMalakaiwas.

“They’re mare than welcome tae,” was all the engineer said in response, and returned togluggingdownhisbeer.

Theinnkeepersaid,“YoupaynoattentiontoPeter.Heisasurlychapat thebestof times,andthesearenotthebestoftimes.HeusedtomakealivingsellingallalongtheHighRoad.Nowthere’sdamnfewlefttosellto.Thedragon’sseentothat.”

“We’llchange that!”bellowedUlli.Hisboastwasmetwith laughter fromtheother tables.For

somereason,thedwarfspresentrefusedtotaketheyoungSlayerasseriouslyastheothers.Ullididnotseemtomindaslongashewasthecentreofattention.“Youmaylaughbutyou’llsee.Youwon’tmockusafterthedragonisdead.”

“You’llbedeadaswell,”shoutedsomeoneandtheotherslaughed.“Whatofit,”shoutedUlli.“Everybodydies.”“Somesoonerthanothers,”saidPeter.Bjornihadthebarmaidonhiskneenow.Shewasrunningherfingersthroughhisbeardwhilehe

lookedupatherwithalasciviousleer.Amomentlaterthewomanwastumbledoffhiskneebyahugemanwithascarredfaceandmassivehands.Hewaswithoutadoubtoneofthebouncers.

“LeaveEssiealone,”hesaid,hisvoiceflatandmenacing.“Letitbe,Otto,”saidtheinnkeeper.“Youknowthisalwayshappens.”“Whatisthattoyou?”askedBjorniinnocently.“She’smywife.”Felix groaned aloud. He had seen women like Essie before when he and Gotrek worked the

taverns of Nuln.Womenmarried to large violent men who thrived on their jealous attention. Hecouldn’tunderstandwhytheydidit,buttheydid.Thebouncerlookedoverathim.

“Whatareyouwhiningabout,boy?”hesaid.Felixlookedupathim.Themanwasbig.Perhapsaheadtallerthanhewas,andbroadinproportion.HisarmslookedalmostaslargeasGotrek’s.

“Somealewentdownthewrongway.”“WatchitorI’lltakethattankardandstickitupyour…”Felixlookedathim,andstartedtorisefromhisseat,butitwasalreadytoolate.Bjornihadtaken

hisfistandwhackedOttobetweenthelegswhilethebouncerwasn’tlooking.Thebigmangroanedand bent double, and as hewent overBjorni took his tankard and smacked himhard on the head.Otto’seyescrossedandheslumpedforwardunconscious.

“NotthefirstjealoushusbandI’vehadtodealwith,”saidBjornitugginglasciviouslyatthewartonhisnose.“Now,love,whatsayyouandmefindaquietcornerand…”

ThegirlwasbentdownoverOttoandshrieking.“Otto,whathasthatbrutedonetoyou?”“He’llbeallright in themorning,”Bjornisaid.“Nowhowaboutwegobehindthewoodshed.

There’sabiggoldpieceinitforyouif…”“Gotohell,”saidEssie.Bjornishruggedandsatdownagain.“Anotherale,landlord.Myjarissuddenlyempty.”TheinnkeeperwaslookingattheSlayerswarilyagain.Still,withhisbiggestbouncerdown,and

thenewcomersnotseemingabouttostartanymoretrouble,hedecideditwasbesttohumourthem.“Moreale,itis,”hesaid.“I’ll help you carry him upstairs,” said Steg to Essie,moving over to the slumped body and

makingasiftopickhimup.“Don’tbother,”saidthegirl.“Idon’tneedanyofyourhelp.”Stegshruggedanddroppedthebodyoncemore.Felixwonderedifhewastheonlyonetonotice

thatthebouncer ’spursewassuddenlymissingfromhisbelt.“IthinkI’lljustgoforawalk,”saidSteg.“Ahthinkah’llgowithye,”Malakaisaid.“It’saboottimeformetoturninanyway.”If Stegwas disappointed atmissing the opportunity to searchMakaisson’swagon, he did not

showit.“Timeforbed,”Felixsaid,lookingoveratUlrikatoseeifsheagreedwithhim.Shenoddedand

theymadetheirwayupthestairs.

***Grund Hugenose of the Broken Nose tribe looked down on the village. His orc eyes weremuchkeener than any human’s, and even by the dim light of the twomoons he could make out all heneeded.Fromhisvantagepoint,hecould see thewagon in thecourtyard. It toldhim that someonewould be leaving the small fortified outpost soon. That meant manflesh, and steel weapons, andmaybegoldandrotgutbooze.Heslippedbackfromthecliffedge,andheadedupthetrail.

TherewasnoneedtotelltheManflayeraboutthis,hedecided.Itwasasmallpartyandthespoilswouldbebarelyenoughforhimandthelads.Hewouldgethiswarbandtogether,andmakesurethatwhateverwasonthatwagonwouldbehisbeforethenextnight’sstarsshone.Felixawoketothesoundofmetalringingagainstmetaloutsidetheinn.Hethrewopentheshuttersandlookedouttoseewhatwasgoingon.Fromtherackethehalfexpectedtoseehalfadozenorcsswordfighting with Templars in the courtyard but the source of the noise was not immediatelyevident.AfteramomentortwooflookinghenoticedthatthebackofMalakaiMakaisson’scartwasbouncingupanddown,andthatthecoveredwagonwaswherealltherowwascomingfrom.

“Whatisit,Felix?”Ulrikaasked.“Don’tknow,”hesaid,“butitlookslikeMalakaiisuptosomething.”“Ifit’simportantwe’llfindoutsoonenough.Nowcomebacktobed,”shesaid.Glancingbackat

hernakedformhedidnothavetobeaskedtwice.Felix’slegsachedfromthestrainoftheconstantuphillwalking.HisfeetweresorefromslammingdownonthehardrocksoftheHighRoad.HedrewhisredcloakofSudenlandwooltightaroundhisshoulder,gladofitnow.Despitethebrightnessofthesun,itwaschillyinthesemountainheightsandgettingchillier.Acoldbreezeblewdownthevalleys,andruffledhishairwithinvisiblefingers.

HesmiledatUlrika.Theyweregettingonbettertoday,astheyusuallydidafterthenightstheyslepttogether.Shesmiledbackwarmly.Felixcouldtellshewasastiredashe,ifnotmoreso,butwasdeterminedtoshownosignofit.Felixfeltacertainsympathyforher.ShehadgrownupontheflatplainsofKislevandhadevenlessexperiencethanheofmountainwalking.Heatleasthadtravelledamong thepeaksbeforehehadfallen inwithGotrek.OlegandStandawerequitevisiblyfaltering.Their breath came in gasps, and every now and again, one or the other would bend over almostdouble, legs spread wide, hands resting on thighs, heads bowed as they attempted to catch theirbreaths.

Ofallthehumans,MaxSchreibershowedtheleastsignoffatigue,whichsurprisedFelixnoend.Hehadgottenusedtothinkingofthewizardasasedentaryscholar,andyethehadtakentothehillsasifborntothem.HeleanedonhishighstaffandspokeencouraginglytoOlegthenputhishandontheKislevite’sshoulder.Felixcouldhaveswornhesawasparkofenergypassbetweenthetwomen,andthenOleg rose to his full height, and began towalkwith renewedvigour. Perhaps thatwasMax’ssecret, Felix decided,maybe hewas using hismagic to give him strengthwhile theywalked, andmaybehehadusedittolendsomeofthatstrengthtoOleg.

Whateveritwas,itwaseffective,Felixthought.Maxseemedalmostathomehereasthedwarfs,and, until today, Felix would have thought that impossible for any human. The dwarfs wereunbelievablycheery,considering theywereSlayersandboundonamission thatmost likelymeanttheir deaths. They strode along tirelessly, taking the steepest of gradients with no apparent effort,sometimesdeviatingfromthepath,andscramblingeasilyupnearverticalslopesapparentlyjustforthesheerjoyofit.

OnlyMalakaididnotdoso.Hestayedwithhiscartatall times,goadinghisponieswhentheybalkedonthesteepinclines,keepingabeadyeyeontheirsurroundingsandmostespeciallyonSteg,wheneverthesuspectedthiefstrayedclosetothecart.GotrekandSnorriledtheway.Felixcouldsee

themattheheadofthecolumn,crestingthenearestridge,wherethepathwaywoundeverhigherandfurtherupslope.

“It is beautiful, is it not?” said Ulrika. Felix glanced around, knowing what she meant. Themountainshadastrangebarrenlovelinessthatseemedlikearewardformakingtheeffortofwalkingamongthem.Oneithersideloomedthegreatgreyflanksofmountains,spottedhereandtherebythegreenofwoodsandscrubbrush.Highabovethemglitteredthesnowline,andthechillproudpeaks.Bouldersrosefromthemountainside,andoccasionallyblockedthepath.Felixguessedthatthiswaswherestoneshadbeendislodgedandrolleddownslope.

Far below them, he could see Gelt. Through a pass between two nearby mountains the trailwounddowntoacoldclearlake.

“Yes,itis,”hesaid.“Thoughnotnearlyasbeautifulasyou.”Sheshookherhead.“Youareashamelessflatterer,FelixJaeger.”“Itisnotflattery.Itismerelythetruth.”Sheturnedandlookedawayforamoment,andhersmiletookonastrangesadquality.“What

amIgoingtodowithoutyou?”sheasked.“Whatdoyoumean?”“Ihavenevermetamanwhomakesmefeellikeyoudo.”Felixknewshemeantitascomplimentbutfeltembarrassednonetheless.“Isthatgoodorbad?”“Idonotknow,”shesaid.“Idoknowitisconfusing.”Hestruggledforareply,andcouldnotfindexactlytherightwordstosaywhathefelt.Hewas

almostgladwhenheheardGotrekbellow,“Looksliketroubleahead!”FelixandUlrikamadetheirwayto thecrestof theridge.Thepathranon,descendingintoasmallvalley before passing oncemore over a series of ridges that rose like giant frozen waves to thehorizon.GotrekandSnorristoodontheridge,silhouettedagainsttheskyline.

AquickglanceshowedFelixexactlywhatGotrekmeant.Hurryingalongthepathtowardsthemwere a group of greenskinwarriors. Felix tried counting them, but therewere toomany and theywere too tightly packed for him to be very successful in his efforts.He gave up somewhere overtwenty.

“Therearefifty-fourofthem,”Ulrikasaid.“Youreyesarebetterthanmine.”“Eitherthatormycountingskillsare.”Heknewshewasattemptingajokebuthecouldhearthe

straininhervoice.OlegandStandagotintopositionbesidethem.Theyhadalreadystrungtheirbows.Ulrikabegan

toreadyhers.Maxtookupapositionbesidethem,leaningonhisstaffwithbothhands.“Itseemsweareoutnumbered,”hesaideventually.

“Theyareonlygreenskins,”saidSnorri.“Noneedtoworry.”“Theyoutnumberusmorethanfourtoone,”Maxsaid.“Thatcausesmejustalittleconcern.”“Onedwarfisworthtenorcs!”boomedUlli.“Particularlyinbed,”Bjornisaidwithaleer.“Don’tyoueverthinkofanythingelse?”Felixasked.“Sometimes I thinkabout fighting,”Bjornisaid.“AndI thinknowisasgooda timeasany to

dwellonthat.”“Aye,” Gotrek said. That it is. We’ll meet them here, and let them come up at us. I would

normallytakethebattletothembutitwouldbeapitytofalltoanorcscimitarwhenthere’sadragoninthesemountains’

“Sound thinking,” Felix said ironically. Behind him he could hear Malakai Makaisson’s cartrumbling slowly up the hill. Felix sincerely hoped that Malakai had the weapons he had beenpromisingandthattheyworked.

“Snorrithinksweshouldjustchargethem,”saidSnorriNosebiter.“I thinkGotrek’s plan is better,”Ulli said. Felixwondered if he heard just a little fear in the

boastfuldwarf’svoice.Itwouldnotsurprisehim.Emptiestvesselsmaketheloudestnoise,hisfatherhadalwaysclaimed.Andheshouldknow,thoughtFelix,forhisfatherwasaveryloudman.

“I wonder if they have any gold,” said Steg. “You can never tell. If they’ve just robbed aprospectortheymighthave.”Hebecameawareofthelookstheothersweregivinghimandshruggedaffably.“Youneverknow.That’sallI’msaying.”

“I’mmoreconcernedastowhethertheyhaveanybows,”saidGotrek.“Beingpin-cushionedbygreenskinarrowsisnodeathforaSlayer.”

“Imight be able to do something about that,” saidMaxSchreiber. “If thewinds ofmagic arestrongenough,andthere’snoshamandownthere.”

“Doesn’tlooklikethereis,”Gotreksaid.“Iftherewas,hewouldbedancingaroundandchantingnonsensetohisgods.”

Theorcsweremaybefourhundredpacesbelowthemnow.Justoutofarrowrangebutclosingfast.Felixcouldheartheirsavagegutturalwar-cries.Theybrandishedtheirweaponsmenacingly.

“Maybewecould turnback,”Ulli said.Felixglancedoverathim.He lookedpale,anda littleshaken.

“Thatmightnotbeabadidea,”Gotreksaid.FelixlookedatGotrekcuriously.Inalltheirlongassociation,thiswasthefirsttimehehadeverheardtheSlayerevinceadesiretoretreat.“Why?”heasked.

“Becausetherearesomemoregreenskinstokilldownthere.”Felixlookedbackinthedirectiontheyhadcome.Orcsandothersmallercreatureswerepouring

downtheslopesbehindthem.Itappearedtheirlineofretreatwascutoff.“This is not looking good,” said Felix.He noticed that some of the smaller greenskinswere

mounted on huge spider-like creatures. Just the sight of those savage steedsmade his flesh crawl.They were coming on with terrible speed. He began to think that perhaps the Slayers had beenoverconfidentproceedingintothemountainsinsuchapitifullysmallparty.

“Forthem,manling,”Gotreksaid.“Forthem.”“IwishedIsharedyourconfidence,”Felixsaid.“Ah’lldealwaethisbunch,”Malakaisaid.“Youseetaetheyinsinfronto’ye.”“Areyousureyou’reuptoit?”Felixsaid.“Yecanbeton it,”Malakai said.Withonehandhepulleda lever and thecanvascoverof the

wagondroppedaway.Revealedwasanoddlookingmulti-barrelledgun,mountedonatripod.Felixhadseenasmallerversionoftheweaponbefore,andknewwhatitwascapableof.Malakaipulledthebrakeleverofthewagon,lockingitinpositiononthefarsideofthehill.

The spider riders to the rear had begun their advance up the hill. Felix watched as Malakaisighteddownthebarrelofhisweaponandclutchedthetriggerguardstight.Felixriskedaglanceattheother sideof thehill.Theorcshadbegun theirclimb, shoutingconfidentlyas theycame.Felixknewthatiftheirfoeshadanyideaofwhatwaswaitingforthematthetopofthehill,theywouldnotbesoconfident.Still,hewondered,woulditbeenough?

Ulrika,StandaandOleghadbeguntofiretheirshortcompositebows.Arrowswhooshedawaydownhill,andimpaledthreeoftheleadingorcs.Twowentdown,onewithanarrowthroughhiseye,anotherwithonethroughhisthroat.Thethirdkeptcomingdespitethefeatheredshaftembeddedinhis

breast.Inresponsetothearrowfire,thegreenskinsbegantospreadoutsotheywouldnotbequiteso

tightlypackedtogetherandnotmakesuchgoodtargets.Savagetheymightbe,Felixthought,buttheywerenot stupid.At thismoment, hewishedhehad learned to use a bow. In his youthhehadbeengivensometrainingwithduellingpistols,butnoneinarchery.Itwasnotthemarkofthegentlemanhis fatherhadhoped to turnhiminto.Rightat thismoment itwouldhavebeenveryuseful though.Apparentlytheorcsagreed,severalofthemhadunslungbowsfromtheirbacksandbeguntostringthem. It looked like an archeryduelwas about tobreakout.All aroundhim, theSlayers bellowedtauntsatthegreenskins,mockingthem,andbrandishingtheirweapons.

Gotrekraisedhisaxeabovehishead,andbellowed,“Comeonupanddie!”“Snorriwantstofight!”shoutedSnorriNosebiter.“Isleptwithyourmothers,”Bjornishouted,thenfellquiet,astheotherdwarfsallstaredathim.

“Well,needsmustwhendaemonsdrive,”hemutteredatlast.Asthedwarfshurledinsults,UlrikaandtheKisleviteskeptupasteadystreamofarrowfireattheorcs.Threemorefellbuttheresthowledangrywar-criesandkeptoncoming.

Suddenly a sound like thunder erupted behind them. Felix looked back to see that MalakaiMakaissonhadactivatedhisgun.

Flamesflickeredasflintstrikersstruckhome.Thebarrelsrotatedanddeathroaredforthfromtheweapon.AsFelixwatchedoneof the spiderscrumpled in themiddle, itsbody tornasunder, itslegs twitching feebly.Malakaimoved the gun slightly on its tripod and the arc of fire changed.Asecondspidercrumpledandthenathird.

Unfortunately, the roar of the gun spooked the ponies. It was either that or the sight of theunnaturallyhugespiderscomingtowardsthem.Theybegantorearandbuckandlashoutwiththeirhindlegs,kickingatthecartandwrestlingwiththeirharnessinadesperateattempttogetfree.Oneofthekickssmashedintothebrakelever,knockingthemechanismlooseandsnappingitintwo.Anotherflurry of blows sent the cart rumbling downslope. Slowly at first, and thenmoving ever faster, itpickedupspeed.Felixconsideredracingafteritandtryingtostopit,butswiftlyrealisedthatitwasfutile.Therewasnowayamanofordinarystrengthcouldbringthecareeningvehicletoahalt.

IfMalakaiMakaissonwasdismayedhegavenosignofit.Heshoutedadwarfwarcryandkeptfiring,mowingdownanotherspiderrider.Thelasttwomovedtointercepthim.

“Beware,manling,”FelixheardGotreksay,andtwistedhisheadtolookat theoncomingorcsoncemore.Halfadozenofthemhadmanagedtogettheirbowsreadyandwerereturningfireatthehilltop.Felixflinchedasarrowsblurredtowardshim,thensuddenlyMaxSchreiberraisedhishandsand finished whatever spell he had been muttering. A glowing sphere of golden light sprang uparound the hilltop. The arrows struck its shimmering translucent surface and caught fire,disintegratingharmlesslyinashowerofsparks.

The advancing orcs halted in confusion, dismayed by this display of sorcerous power. TheKisleviteskeptthestreamofarrowscoming,takingdowntwomoreorcs.Felixguessedthattheyhadtakenperhapstenoftheorcsoutofthecombatnow.Still,thatleftmorethanenoughtooverwhelmthehilltop.Acrunchingsoundbehindhimdrewhisattentionagain.Helookedback.

Throughtheshimmeringhazehesawthatoneofthespiderridershadgotinthewayofthecartandhadbeencrushedunderitsheavyironshodwheels.Thelastonewastorntoshredsbyaburstoffirefromtheorgangun.Malakaicontinuedtorumbledownhillintothehordeofgoblintroops.FelixcouldseethemlookingupattheoncomingSlayerwithwide-eyedpanic.Malakaicontinuedtobellowandroarchallengesasheracedtowardsthesmallgreenskins.

Ashout fromthefrontdrewFelix’sattentionback there.Theorcshadovercometheirdismay

swiftly enough and continued their advance. Realising the futility of their efforts the greenskinarchershadputawaytheirbows,drawntheirheavyblackironscimitars,andnowrushedtojointheircomrades.Felixhastilyjudgedthedistanceandreadiedhisowndragon-hiltedsword.

“I reckonyou’ve time for onemore shot, and thenyou’dbetter get your blades out,” he toldUlrika.

Afaintsmilecurvedherlips,asshedrewthebowstringtohercheekandloosed.“Youdon’tsay”shesaidasanotherorcdropped.Frombehindthemcamethesoundofexplosions.WhatwasMalakaiupto,Felixwondered?Hedarednotlookandseethefirstoftheonrushingorcswerealmostwithinstrikingdistance.Ulrika firedoncemoreatalmostpointblankrange,and thenhastilydroppedherbowanddrewhersword.Felixsteppedforward,readytointerposehimselfbetweenherandanyonewhomightstrikeatherbeforeherweaponwasout.

ThesoundofMax’schantingaltered,andthesphereofgoldenlightcollapsedinwards,tendrilsof energycongealing into a far smaller sphereabout the sizeof aman’shead thathovered just infrontofMax.Anothergestureshatteredthesphereandsentboltsofgoldenlightrainingdownontotheorcs.Inaninstantthewholefrontrowwasfelledbytheblazeofmagicalenergy.Felixsawoneorcsink to itsknees, thewhole frontof itschest rippedaway, its ribsvisible through thesmokingholeinitsarmour.

“Right,lads,”Gotreksaid.“Let’sgetstuckin!”It was all the encouragement the Slayers needed. All six of them raced forward at the

discouragedorcswhostoodgawpingatthem,themomentumoftheirchargelostinthefaceofMax’smagicalonslaught.EvenasFelixwatched,Gotrekstormedinamidsttheorcs.Hisaxeroseandfellinabloodyarc,smashingthroughoneorctoburyitselfinthechestofanother.Withabrutaltwist,theSlayerpulleditfreeandslicedabouthim,themightymysticalbladetransformedintoawhirlwindofdeathinhishands.

Snorriracedinbehindhim,axeandhammerheldattheready.Helashedabouthimwithmightystrokes,uncaringofhisownlife.Eachofhisblowsdownedanorcreducingthemtolifelesshusksinaninstant.TheotherSlayersjoinedthem,formingawedgethatcleavedthroughtheorcs,likeashipsailingthroughaseaofgreenblood.Felixwatchedinaweatthedestructionthedwarfswreaked.HedoubtedthatacompanyofknightscouldhavecreatedmorehavocthantheSlayershadinthosefewbriefinstants.

Bjorni head-buttedoneorc and as it drewback, he lashedoutwith his axe, severing its head.Laughinglikeamaniac,hestampedonthefootofanother,kneeditinthegroinandthendrovehisaxe into its chest before it could recover.Pale-facedUllimoved alongsidehimusinghis ownaxetwo-handed,hewingathis foes likeawoodcutterchoppinga trunk.Felixcouldseehewasfar lessskilledthantheotherdwarfsbuthisstrokeswerenonethelesseffective,poweredastheywerebyhismightydwarfmuscles.

Steglurkedattherear,lashingoutwithhispickaxeatanyorcwhothreatenedtogetroundhiscomrades.Hiseyesdartedeverywhere,as if looking for loot,butnotevenhisgreedcouldget thebetterofhiminthemiddleof thisswirling, turbulentmelee.Grimmefoughtoff totherightonhisown,andthecarnagehecreatedwasappalling.Heusedhishugehammertwo-handedbutwithaspeedthat rivalledGotrek’s.Onemighty blow reduced an orc’s skull to jelly.A second sideways strokeknockedagreenskinheadcleanoff,sendingitflyingahundredstridesdowntheslope.

AcompanyofmenwouldhaveroutedininstantsunderthefuryoftheSlayers’attack,buttheseorcsweremadeof sterner stuff.Foramomentonly theywavered, and then they threw themselvesinto the fraywith a berserker bravery that almostmatched their foes’. They swarmed in over thedwarfs,seekingtoovercomethemwithsheerweightofnumbers.Afewofthem,noticingthehumans

whostoodwaitingonthehilltop,sweptpasttheSlayersandcharged.Felixconsideredthepositionforan instant.Would it be better towait or charge?Here, they had the advantage of position. If theychargedtheywouldhavetheadvantageofmomentum.

Aglancetoldhimthattheorcsdidnotseemtobetoowindedbytheiruphillrun.Hereachedhisdecisioninstantly.

“Let’sgo!”heshouted,andranforward.Ulrikaandherbodyguardsfollowed.“Stayclose.Watcheachother ’sbacks!”Ulrikacried.Felixwasgladshehadthoughtofit.Itwas

theoneadvantagetheymighthaveinthemidstofthechaosthatsurroundedthem.Movingdownslopeaddedtohisspeed.Heselectedthelargestoftheonrushingorcsashistarget

andraisedhisbladehigh.Atthelastsecond,hebroughthisbladedown,duckedundertheorc’sstrokeandwithabackwardslicechoppeditacrossthespine.Hefeltbonecrunchandleathergivewayunderthe impactofhis razor-sharpbladeand then theorcdropped, its legsno longerobeying it.Standakickeditintheheadashepassed,andtheorcgruntedandlaystill.

Felixwaslostinthemadnessofbattle.Heduckedanddodged,parriedandstruck,thrustingoutwithhisbladeintothetightlypackedmassofbodies.Sweatalmostblindedhim,bloodsplatteredhisface and arms.The howls and screams of his foes almost deafened him.The shock of each parryalmosttorehisbladefromhisnumbfingers.

Helashedouttoleftandright,tryingalwaystokeepUlrikainview,lestafoestrikeherdownunawares.HesawherfightingwithherlongKislevitesword.Shemovedthroughthefraylikesomewarrior goddess. If she could notmatch the orcs for strength, shemade up for it in speed.Battlemadnessseemedtoovertakeher.Felixhadfoughtheronceinplay,buthadneverreallywitnessedherfight in earnest. Some primordial rage seemed to fill her, and transformed her into an engine ofdestruction.Shedanced through thebattle likea flame,whirlingandcutting, and leavinga trailofdeathinherwake.BehindherOlegandStandafoughtlikemenpossessed,guardingherflanks.Theylackedherskillandspeed,butfoughtwiththedeadlycompetenceofveterans.

Outof thecornerofhiseye,Felixcaughtaflickerofgolden light.HeglimpsedMaxmovingthrough theorcs.Hiswholebodywas surroundedbya flickerofyellowish lightwhich seemed todeflectblows.Wheneverhisstaffstruckanorctherewasaflashofutterbrillianceandthesmellofburning meat filled the air. Felix knew that the mage’s enchanted weapon was burning throughwhateverittouched.Themomentpassed.AnotherorcattackedandFelixwashardpressedtodefendhimself.Hebackedawayupthehill,franticallytryingtokeephisbalanceasheparried,desperatelyhopingthathewouldnottripoversomeunseenobstruction,likeaboulderoranorccorpse.Hisfoewasamassiveorc,aheadtallerthanhe,andhalfagainasbroad.Itslongape-likearmsgaveitgreaterreach.Itsredeyeswerefilledwithhateandbloodlust,andspittleandfoameruptedfromitsmouth,drenchingthetusk-liketeeththatprotrudedfromitslowerjaw.ItlookedlikeitfullyintendedtokillFelixtheneathim.Itwasverystrongandveryfast,andforasickeninginstantFelixdoubtedhisownabilitytostopit.

Fromsomedarkdepthofhismindbubbleduptherealisationthatifhefellhere,hewouldnevergethischancetoconfrontthedragon.Asifinanswertothis,hefeltnewstrengthflowintohimfromthesword.Thetidalwaveofenergydrovebackfatigueandfear.Heblockedtheorc’sbloweasily,catching itsbladewithhisown,andholding itwithease,as if theorcdidnotoutweighhimby tenstone.He sawa lookof shock twist across theorc’s face, as it registered this featby its relativelypunyfoe.

Then time seemed to slow for Felix. He moved at normal speed but everything around himmovedathalfitsusualpace.Hedrewhisbladebackfromtheorcandbeforeithadtimetorespondseparateditsheadfromitsshoulders.Hestrodeforwardintothefrayoncemore,killingashewent.

In an instant the orcs realised they were overmatched. One of them turned to run and, in aheartbeat,allofhissurvivingbrethrencametothesamedecision.Astheychosetofleethedwarfscutthemdown.AstheyrantheSlayersandtheirhumancompanionsfollowed.Theshort-leggeddwarfsweresoonoutdistancedbutthehumansmanagedtokeepupandchopdownafewmorefrombehind.

Still,thereweretoomanytoovertakeandkillthemall,andFelixrealisedthatiftheykeptontheorcsmight regroupandoverwhelm thehumans.Heshouted forUlrikaandherbodyguards tohaltandreluctantlytheyobeyed.Theorcskeptrunning.

Frombehindtheridgetopcamethesoundofanotherexplosion.Felixcouldseeacloudofblacksmoke rising skyward. Instantly the thought came to him thatMalakaiMakaissonwas down theresomewhere,fightingaloneagainstahordeofgoblins.

“We’vegottogetbackandhelpMalakai,”hesaid,andsawunderstandingpassacrossUlrika’sface.Shenoddedandturnedatonce,StandaandOlegfollowingher.Felixcursedunderhisbreathasthestrainofrunninguphill toldonhis legs.Hisclotheswerealreadysaturatedwithsweatandwetwithblood.Hismusclesachedfromthestrainofthefight.YetheforcedhimselftokeepupwiththeKislevites.

HesawthattheSlayershadalreadyturnedandwereracingacrosstheridgetopinthedirectionoftheotherbattle.Herushedonwardsastheyvanishedoutofsight,feelingconfidentthatastheyhadvanquishedthesavageorcs,thegoblinswerelikelytoprovefarlessofathreat.Thenthethoughtofthosegiantspidersenteredhismind,andhisfeelingsofconfidencevanished.

Silhouettedontheridge-line,MaxSchreiberraisedhisstaffhigh.Animbusofyellowishlightflickeredaroundhim,butitwaslessbrightthanithadbeenandFelixknewinstinctivelythatMaxhadexhaustedagreatdealofhisstrength.Evenso,heswirledhisstaffaroundhishead,andashedidso,thetipseemedtocatchfire.Angrygoldenlightblazedbrighterandbrighterwitheachrotationofthestaff,asifitwereafirebrandcatchingalightinthemotion.Finally,havinggatheredsufficientpower,Maxunleashedit,sendinga torrentofenergyvanishingdownslope.Thespellwasansweredbythehighpitched,pipingscreamsofdyinggoblins.

Felix crested the ridge ahead ofUlrika and her bodyguards, and looked down on a scene ofappallingcarnage.TheEngineer ’scarthadcutabloodyswathethroughthegoblinhorde’sranks.Thehuge spiders were crushed or blown apart. Many small goblin bodies lay still on the ground,testamenttotheterrifyingpoweroftheorgangun.Malakaihimselfstoodprecariouslyatopthecartwhichhadcrashedtoahalt inadepressionbythesideof theroad.Hetossedblackbombsintothemassedgoblins.

The greenskins huddled together, kept at bay by the power of the explosives, as they tried togathertheircourageandassaulttheinventor.NowitlookedasifMax’sspellandthesuddenadventofsix Slayers was enough to daunt them completely. They turned and fled back the way they came.Seeing theirdeparture,Felixdecided thathehadhadenoughof slaughter foroneday, and slowedfromaruntoawalk.UlrikaandtheKislevitessweptpasthim,andmovedtojointheSlayersbelow.

Felixletthem.Heknewtheywouldnevercatchthegreenskinsnow.Grundranashardasheeverhadinhislife.Helikedafightasmuchasthenextorcbutthosestuntieshadjustbeentoomuch.HehadneverseenanyonefightlikethatdwarfwiththemagicaxesaveUgrekhimself.HeknewthatifhewantedrevengehewouldhavetotelltheManflayerhistale.Ugrekwouldgettheladstogetherthen,andtheywouldallcomedownandstompthosestunties.GrundhopedthewarbosswasstillcampedatBloodyFistknoll.Itwaslessthanadayaway,alotlessifGrundkeptupthispace.Thinkingaboutthestuntywiththeaxe,hedecidedthatmightnotbesuchabadidea.Felix passed the corpse of a goblin. Smoke rose from the body alongwith the smell of scorchedflesh.ItlookedlikethegreenskinhaddiedasaresultofMax’sspell.Therewasnomarkonthebody,

noholethatwouldhavemarkedthepassageoforgangunshellorshrapnelfromabomb.Whenhelookedclosely,hesawthatthesmallhumanoid’seyeshadexplodedintheirsockets,splatteringjellyacrossitsface.Itwasnotaprettysightbutthenagain,fewcorpseseverwere.

Hewalkedtoanotherofthecreaturesthatlaysprawledfacedowninthedirt,andturneditoverwithhisboot.Itwasnotverylarge.Itsbodywasnobiggerthanthatofachildoften.Itslegswereveryshortinproportiontothelengthofitstorsoandthearmsverylong.Itsheadwasbigforitsbody.Thecreatureworeasortofhoodedleathertunic,dyedbrightyellow,andasicklygreen.Indeaththehoodhadfallenbacktorevealitsface.

The featureswere twistedandmalevolent andcunning.Thenosewasas longandas thinas acarrot, themouth filledwith sharp, ratlike teeth.The thing that struckhimmostwas the creature’shands. They were gnarled and strong, with large knuckles and very long, very dextrous-lookingfingers.Somethingabout themmadeFelix thinkofstranglers,andheknewthathewouldnothavelikedtofindthosehandswrappedroundhisthroat.

In death, though, the creature looked curiously pathetic. There was something infinitely sadaboutitssmall,stillform.HementionedthistoUlrikawhostoodnearbywatchinghim.Shelookedathimwithblankincomprehension.

“It’sdead,”shesaid.“Andthat’sgood.Foritwouldhavekilledusifithadgotthechance.”“You’reright,”Felixsaidbutstillsomehowhefeltsomethinglikeshamewhenhelookeddown

onthesmallcorpse.Felix walked over to where Malakai Makaisson stood atop his cart. The engineer glared downtruculentlyandFelixsoonsawwhy.Oneofthewagon’swheelshadcomeoff,andthebuckboardhadfallenopenspillingtheengineer ’stoolsandequipmentintothedirt.AtleastMalakaihimselfdidnotlooktoohurt,althoughhisfingerswereblackandhisfacewassmudgedwithsootoroil.

“Areyoualright?”Felixasked.“Aye.Niverbetter!It’lltakmarethanthesesleekitweebeastiestaedaefurme,don’tyouworry.

It’smastuffah’mworriedaboot.Ahhopethiscrashhisnaedamageditony.”“I’llhelpyougatheritup,”Felixoffered.“Dinnaeyoubother.Ahhaemaanesystemfurthis.Ah’llsortitootmasel.”“Suityourself,”Felixsaid.HestrodeovertowhereGotrekandSnorristoodsidebyside,inspectingthehillsintowhichthe

goblinshadfled.“Snorrireckonswe’veseenthelastofthem,”saidSnorri.Gotrekspatontheground,andshookhisheadtruculently.“Thenyoushouldleavethethinking

toothers,SnorriNosebiter.Forthey’llbebackassoonastheyfindtheirbrethren.Andtherewillbemoreofthemnexttime.Youcanbetgoldonit.”

Felix was forced to agree. Some instinct told him that they had not heard the last of thegreenskins,notbya longchalk.Behindhimcame thesoundofhammering,asMalakaiMakaissonproceededtorepairhiswagon.

“We’llkill themall then,”Ullisaid.Felixcouldseethathisfacewasstillpale,andhisfingersshookwheretheygrippedhisaxe.Still,hehadacquittedhimselfwellenoughinthebattle.

“In a brothel inNuln they hadwhat they claimedwere goblin girls,” saidBjorni reflectively.“Theyweren’t though.Theywere just human lassieswith their faces painted green and their teethfiled.”

“Icouldhavelivedmywholelifecheerfullywithouteverfindingthatout,”Felixsaid.“Wellyou’dbemissingsomethingthen,”Bjornisaidwithhisrepulsiveleer.Felixturnedandwalkedaway.

TEN

ENCOUNTERSONTHEROADItwasdawn.Thefirewasdead,reducedtoablackpitofashandcinders.Stuffingahunkofrubberycheese into hismouth, biting on sour dwarfwaybread andwashing it all downwith flat ale, FelixwatchedasthedwarfsandtheKislevitesbrokecamp.

Ulrikasmiledathim.Hereachedoutandsqueezedherhand,andwasgladtofeelthepressurereturned.OverUlrika’sshoulderhecouldseeBjornigivinghimawink.Thedwarfleeredrepulsivelythen grabbed his left biceps with his right hand andmade a pumping gesture. Felix looked away.Malakai had fixed hiswagon, packing away some of his components inwooden crates, leaving abunch of things that looked suspiciously likeweaponswithin easy reach. The ponies had returnedafter a couple of hours ofwandering theprevious evening, andwerenow standingdocile in theirharnesses.

TheotherSlayershadtheirweaponstohandandtheirpacksovertheirbacksandlookedreadyfor trouble. Oleg and Standa had their bows ready. OnlyMax Schreiber looked out of sorts. Heseemed pale and drawn and more than a little tired. A bemused, somewhat thoughtful expressionmarkedhisface.Hestoodtaller.Hehadinsomesubtlewayaltered,andFelixwasnotquitesurehow.

“Let’sgo,”shoutedGotrek.“We’restillalongwayfromtheDragonVale.”Malakaijerkedthereins.TheSlayersfellintomarchingstep.Faroff,inthedistance,Felixcould

seesmallclouds.***

MaxSchreiberfeltexhausted.Hehadusedalotofpoweryesterdayinthebattlewiththegreenskins.Hehadnotsleptwell.JealousygnawedathimwhileFelixandUlrikalaytogetherunderblankets

on the far side of the fire. That and the snoring of the dwarfs had not made for a restful night.Eventually,afterhoursofstaringatthecoldglitterofthestars,hehadmanagedtogettosleep.Meremomentslater,itseemed,Snorriwaskickinghimawake.Hefeltlikehehadnotsleptatall.Hiseyedseemedgluedtogetherandheached.Still,allthingsconsidered,hedidnotfeelquiteasbadashehadexpected,andhewonderedwhy.

Hetookadeepbreathandtestedthewindsofmagic.Theyblewweaklythisday,heknew,but,evenso,touchingthemsentatinglingthroughhisveins,andrenewedhisenergy.Heclosedhiseyesandprobedhisownbeing.Hefeltdepleted,andatthesametime,curiouslyelated.

Heknewalsothattheexpenditureofpowerinyesterday’sbattlehaddonehimgood,insomeasyet undefinedway.Sometimes, heknew,usinghis artswas theonlyway to improve them.Hehadgained no new insights he could think of during the battle yesterday, yet he knew he had gainedsomething.Hehadmanagedtohandletheflowofthemagicalwindswithmorefluencythanheeverhadbefore,andhehaddelveddeeperintothewellofhissoulthanatanytimeinthepast.Heknewhispowerwasincreasing.

In the past fewweeks he had been called on several times to use his powers as he never hadbefore.Incombatwiththeskaven,withthedragonandyesterdaywiththeorcs.Hehadusedthepowerunderpressuresandstresses, thelikeofwhichherarelyencounteredbeforeinhisscholarlylife.Itseemedtobehavingsomeprofoundeffectonhim.

Ashegraspedatthewindsofmagicanddrewthemtohimself,heknewhewasnowavesselofenergiesgreaterthananyhehadeverheld.Hissensesseemedkeener.Hisgraspoftheflowsofmagicwasstronger.Hismagicalvisionhadgrownmoreperceptive.

HewasnowawareinawayhehadnotbeenbeforeoftheplayofawesomeenergiesthroughtherunesofGotrek’saxe,andof the lessstrong,butnonethelessstillpotent,magic thatpermeated thebladeFelixcarried.Hesensedthatbothweaponshadbeenforgedwithapurpose,andhecouldalmostgraspwhatthosepurposeswere.HeknewGotrek’saxehadbeenforgedtobebanefultoChaos.

Andyesterday,whenFelixhaddrawnhisblade,hehadbecomebrieflyaware that itpossessedsomething like sentience.Maxwonderedwhether Felix knew.Most likely, yes. Itwould be almostimpossible to bear a weapon like that for any time, and not be aware of it. Unless of course theweaponitselfhadconcealeditspoweranditspurpose.HedecidedthatitwassomethingheshouldtalkwithFelixaboutwhenhegotthechance.Itwassomethingtheyoungmanshouldbewarnedabout.GrundabasedhimselfbeforeUgrekManflayer.Tobemoreprecise,heabasedhimselfbeforeUgrekManflayer ’s tent. It offended Grund’s orcish sensibilities to throw himself on the ground beforeanyoneoranything,butwiththeManflayeritpaidtobecareful.Hewasverytouchy,andhistemperwasathingthatputfearevenintoorcs.Thatandhishabitofskinninghisenemiesandeatingbitsofthemwhiletheystilllived.

Ugrek’s bodyguards grunted with barely suppressed sniggers at the Broken Nose chieftain’sdiscomfiture.Let them,he thought.Hehad seen themhumiliatedoften enoughby their boss.Theysilenced themselves instantly when the entrance flap opened and Ugrek emerged from his tent ofhumanskin.Grundshivered.TheshamanIxixwaswith thebigchiefand thatwasnevergood.Thelittle runtwas evenmadder thanUgrek and claimed to speakwith the gods in his dreams.Grundsupposeditmustbetrue.WhyelsewouldthemightyManflayerlistentoawizenedlittleruntlikethegoblin?

“Wotisit?”Ugrekasked.Grundlookedupathim.Ugrekwasthelargestorcintheworld,Grundwassureofit.Hewasnearlyaheadtallerthananyotherorcinthemountains,andfarstronger.Inonehand he carried his magical cleaver, in the other he held a big axe. His armour had to be madespecial-likebythecapturedhumansmiththatUgrekkeptchainedtohistentpole.Hishelmethadtwohugehornsprotrudingfromit.Hiseyeswereahealthyred.

Grundquicklyexplainedwhathadhappened.Muchtohissurprise,Ugreklookedattheshamanandthenstartinglaughing.Ixixbegantogiggletoo.Helaughedsohardhehadtowipehisnoseonhis snot-encrusted cloak.Grund didn’t think he saw anything funny in the situation but he laughedanyway,justtobeonthesafeside.Itneverhurttohumourthebigboss.Soonthebodyguardsjoinedin.Oncetheywereallhowlingwithmirth,Ugreksilencedthemwithagestureofhisfist.Helookeddownattheshaman.

“It’sthedreamforsure,”saidIxix.“Thegodsspoketrue.Theyaregoingtokillthedragonandthenyouaregoingtokillthem.Youwillhaveamagicaxetomatchyourmagiccleaver,andyou’llhaveallthedragon’streasuretoo.”

“Iwillbethegreatestorcwarleaderintheworld?”askedUgrek.“Youwillbethegreatestorcwarleaderintheworld.”“Sendoutword!”Ugrekbellowed.“Summonthe tribes.Wego to theDragonVale.We’vegot

somestuntiestokill.”Justaseverybodyrantoobeyhisorders,Ugrekstoppedthemagain.Hewaslikethat.“Andtell

every last oneof yourboys to leave the stunties alone till theyget there too.They aremine. I amgoingtokillthemandeattheirhearts.”Ulrikamarchedalongthroughthemountains.Shewasnotunhappy,butshewasnothappyeither.ShewonderedwhatwashappeningbetweenherandFelix.Thereweretimeswhenshefeltcertainthatshelovedhim,andthereweretimeswhenshefeltequallycertainthatshefeltnothingatall.Itwasoddhowthepassioncameandwent.Sometimes,asinthemomentlastnightwhentheyhadsatbythefire

andheldhands,shefelttheywereconnecteddeeply,asifbystrongmagic.Andthereweretimes,likethismorning,as theymarched forwardunder thesebroodingcloudswhenhismerestglancecouldgoadhertofury,andthelookofstupiddevotionshesometimescaughtinhiseyemadeherwanttoslaphimintheface.Attimeslikethatitwasalmostasifhewereadifferentmanfromtheonewholaybesideherinthenight,asifhewereastrangerwhosomehowhadinvadedherlife.

Shethoughtaboutthatforamoment,andcorrectedherself.No.Sometimes,shefeltlikeshewasadifferentperson,thatsomethingwithinherhadchangedinawaythatshedidnotunderstandherself.Hewas the source of a spectrum of emotions that both enthralled and frightened her in away nofeelingseverhadbefore.Shefearedtolosehim,butshefeltlikerunningawayfromhim.Somehow,insomestrangeway,hehadgainedpoweroverherlife,andshebothhatedthisandwonderedatit.

Sheglancedupat the turbulentcloudsandfelt that insomeways theyreflectedherown innerturmoil.

“Bestgetready,”Gotreksaidfrombehindher.“Lookslikeit’sgoingtorainhard.”GreySeerThanquol lookedup at thegatesofHellPit.Thewalls of themonstrous crater loomedabovehim.Poisonous-lookinglichencoveredthegnarledrock.Aheadofhim,carvedtoresembleamonstrous rat-likeheadwithgaping jaws,was the entrance to the lair ofClanMoulder.Theblackirongatesof theportculliswere its teeth and skavenheadspeakedout from its eye sockets. In thedistance Thanquol could hear the bellowing of beasts and sense the presence of a brain-numbingamountofwarpstone.Theskyoverheadglitteredwithstrangecolours,ascloudsofchemicalsrosefromthechimneyswithinthecratertopollutetheairallaround.

The thunder of hooves told Thanquol that the riders of Chaos had departed behind him. Atingling of his flesh told him that whatever spell had enwrapped them had departed with them.Thanquol felt certain that the spellwas simplyone towarp timeandenhance their speed,allowingthemtocoverthedistancebetweenthehordeandHellPitinaquarterofthetimeitwouldnormallyhavetaken.Atleasthehopedthatwaswhatitwas.Asfarashecouldtell,hehadsufferednoill-effectsfromthemagicnorhaditaffectedhimpermanently.

He breathed a prayer to the Horned Rat, almost grateful for his delivery. The followers ofTzeentchhadbeenasgoodastheirword,anddeliveredhimunharmedtothiscitadelofskavendom.Thanquol paused only for amoment to wonder why. The followers of the Lord of Change werefamedfortheircunning,nottheirmercy.Still,hereflected,theymostlikelyhadbeenimpressedbyhis incredibleeloquence.Thanquolknewthatnomatterhowcunning theymightbe, theycouldnotmatchwits with a grey seer. He knew that once again he had overcome his enemies by the sheerpowerofhisintelligence.

He was uneasy. He wished that they had not brought him here of all places. He would havepreferredanyotherstrongholdthanHellPit.Anyportinastorm,Thanquolthought.Andatleastnowhehadgreattidingstodeliver.Surely,inthefaceofthethreatofChaos,theeldersofClanMoulderwouldseethesenseofmakingacommoncausewithThanquol.

HekickedLurkuptheposterior.“Rise-rise!Getuplazybeast!Nowisnotimeforresting!”Lurkglaredupathimwithhate-filledeyes.Foamfrothedaroundhislips.Hischestroseandfell

likebellows.HehadbeenhardpressedtokeepupwiththeChaossteedsthathadcarriedhismaster,but, suspecting that to fall behind would mean his death, he had somehow managed to force hisbatteredbodytokeepup.WhateverspelltheChaossorcerershadcasthadaffectedhimtoo.Hehadnotbeenleftbehindinspiteoftheirsupernaturalpace.

Thanquolwasawareofredskaveneyesglaringdownathimfromabovethehugecarvedgate.Heknewthatweaponswerebeingbroughttobearonhim,andthatreinforcementswerebeinghastilysummonedtoaugmenttheguardswithin.

From high above a skaven voice chittered: “Who is there?What is your business with ClanMoulder?”

Thanquoldrewhimselfuptohisfullheightandtiltedbackhisheadsothathishornswerefullyvisible.HeknewtheguardwouldrecognisethemarkoftheHornedRat’sfavour.Hegavethemafewheartbeatstoappreciateit,thenboomedoutinhismostimpressiveoratoricalvoice,“ItisGreySeerThanquolcomebearingimportanttidingsforyourmasters.”

“AreyouThanquolorThanquol’sghost?”atremulousvoicecameback.“GreySeerThanquolisdead.Killedbythedwarfsandtheirhumanalliesatthebattleofthehorsesoldiers’burrow.”

Always, always, this idiocy to contend with, thought Thanquol unhappily. “Do I look dead,foolish vermin?Open this gate and takeme to yourmasters or Iwill unleash a spell of grievousdeadlinesstoconsumeyourbones!”

Heletaglowofpalewarpfirebuilduparoundhishandtoshowthathemeantwhathesaid.Intruth,hewascertainthattheprotectivemagicswovenintothecrater ’swallswouldmostlikelybeabletowithstandevenhismostpotentsorceries,buthowcouldameresentryknowthis?

“Imustconsultwithmymasters.Wait!Wait!”Thanquolwasnotsurewhethertheguardskavenmeant to stay his spell or simplywait outside the gate. It did notmatter.He knew that as soon assomeoneinauthoritywassummonedhewouldbeallowedinside.

Nowallhehadtodowasconsiderwhathewasgoingtosay.HeneededtoworkoutwhatwouldbeadvantageoustotelltheMouldersandwhatwasneedfultokeepfromthem.Suchthingscouldwait,hetoldhimself.Suddenly,confidencefilledhim.HeknewthataskavenofhissupremeintellectwouldhavenotroubleoutwittingthedullardsofMoulder,justashehadeasilyout-thoughtthefollowersofTzeentch.

Still,hewastroubled.Evenforaskavenofhissuperlativeabilities,escapingtheclutchesoftheChaoshordehadseemedalittletooeasy.Felixstaredalongthevalley.Hewasamazedbyhowquicklythingschangedinthemountains.Thismorningithadbeenbrightandsunny,clearasasummer’sdayontheplainsofKislev.Nowitwasdrearyandcold,withachillinesstothewindthatremindedhimofsnowandwinter.Thecloudswerelowanddark.Inthedistancehecouldseetheflickeroflightningstrokes,andhearthefarawayboomofthunder.

Themountainsthemselveshadchangedappearancejustasdramatically.Atdawntheyhadbeenbright,clean titans,almosthospitable-seeming.Nowthey loomed large,darkand forbidding in thedrearylight.Thefurtherpeakswereobscuredbymorecloud.Hefelthisownmooddarkening.Thechangeintheweatherhadaddedtotheominous,oppressiveatmospherecausedbyknowingthattheywerecomingeverclosertothedragon’slair.

Ulrika hadmoved to the head of the column andwas scouting alongside Standa andOleg. Itmadeacertainamountof sense.Shehadby far thekeenest eyes in thepartyandwouldbeable toperceivea threatbeforeanyoneelse.At least, suchhadbeenher logic.Felix felt that itwas justasmuch to get away from him. She had become remote and withdrawn again, and ignored all hisattempts at conversation. He was fast coming to the conclusion that he would never understandwomen,orattheveryleastneverunderstandher.

Hebecameaware thatMaxSchreiberhadfallen intostepbesidehim.Themage’s faceworeacuriouslook,atonceexalted,yetindrawn.Hisfirstimpressionsthismorninghadbeencorrect,Felixthought.Therewas somethingdifferentaboutMaxnow.He lookedevenmore likea sorcerer thaneverhehadbefore.Felixtriedtotellhimselfthatitwasbecausenowhewassimplymoreawareofthepowerthemagewielded,butheknewitwasmorethanthis.Adistinctchangehadcomeoverthemagicianinthepastfewdays.Now,morethanever,heseemedlikeafigureofhiddenmight.

“Felix,mayIaskyouafewquestionsabouttheswordyoubear?”“Why?”“Iaminterestedinit.Itseemstometobeanartifactofconsiderablepower,anditseemstobe…

awakening.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“I mean I have sensed changes in it. The weapon harbours some sort of sentience, and it is

gaininginstrength.”Felix thoughtabout theburstofpowerhehadreceived in thebattleyesterday,and thewaythe

bladehad shieldedhim fromdragonfire on theSpiritofGrungni.Hehad long known theweaponpossessedmagicalqualitiesbutnotuntil recentlyhad itexhibitedanything like thesepowers. In thepast it had simplybeenablade thatnever lost its edge,with runes thatglowedmysteriouslyundercertaincircumstances.

“Do you think that it is dangerous in anyway?” he asked nervously.Max shrugged.A frownmarredhisfinefeatures.

“Idonotknow.Allmagicalweaponsareinsomewayperilous.Theyarerepositoriesofpowerthatcansometimesaffecttheirwieldersinunpredictableways.Sentientweaponsarethemostperilousofall,fortheycanwarpthemindsandsoulsofthosewhocarrythem.”

Felixfelthisfleshcrawlatthemagician’swords.Hedidnotdoubtthattheyweretrue.Hefoughtdown the instinctive urge to draw theblade and simply cast it away that rose up in him. “Areyousayingthattheblademightbeabletocontrolme?”

“It is unlikely, unless it is particularly potent, and you are particularlyweak-minded,which, Ihastentoadd,youdonotappeartobe.Itmightbeabletoaffectyourthinkingalittle,ortakepartialcontrol inmoments of stress.Aweapon of the type I suspect this is could not control you, if youdecidednottoletit.Atleast,Ihopenot.”

“Youarestartingtoworryme,Max.”“Thatisnotmyintention.CouldIaskhowyoucamebytheweapon?”Felixconsideredthisforamoment.“ItbelongedtotheTemplarAldredoftheOrderoftheFiery

Heart.Itookitfromhimafterhedied.”Even as he said the words, Felix realised that this was both true and untrue. The blade had

belongedtoAldredonlyformoments,whenhehadsnatcheditupfromthehoardoftheChaostrollinKaragEightPeaks.TheTemplarhadcomeseekingtheblade;ithadnotbelongedtohim.Andyet,itfeltlikeitdid,oratleastitfeltlikeitbelongedtohisorder.Felixhadonmanyoccasionsfeltasifheweremerelythetemporarycustodianofthebladeandhehadfullyintendedtoreturnitwhenthetimewasright.HementionedallofthesethoughtstoMax.Themagicianlookedthoughtful.

“Itseemstomethatthebladehasbeeninfluencingyourthoughtsforalongtime,albeitsubtly.Italso sounds like you have been unconsciously resisting its influence, which is both normal andinstinctivewhenitcomestomagic.”

“Whywouldthisbladebetryingtoinfluenceme?”“Perhapsthereisageasattachedtoit.Orperhapsitisoneofthoseweaponswhichpossessesa

singleoverridingpurpose.Maybeitwasforgedwiththedestructionofaparticularfoeortypeoffoeinmind.Haveyoueverthoughtthatthismightbethecase?”

“Isuspectyoualreadyknowtheanswer.”“Justlookingattheworkmanshipofthehiltisaclue,Iwouldsay.Iwouldguessthattheblade

startedtoshowchangesafterweencounteredthedragon.”“You would be right.” Felix told the mage of the way the blade had protected him from

dragonfire,andofthewayithadintervenedinthepreviousday’sbattlewhenhehadfelthemightnot

survive to confront thebeast.Max listened intentlyuntil afterFelixhad finished then said, “I thinkyourbladewasforgedtobeabanetodragons.”

“DoyoumeanyouthinkitwillgivemethepowertokillSkjalandir?”“Idon’tknow.IthinkitcouldhurtSkjalandirinawaythatanormalbladecouldnotbutIdon’t

thinkitwillguaranteeyoucouldkillhim.Thereareplentyofexamplesfromhistoryofheroesarmedwiththemostpotentmagicalweaponsfailingtokillthegreatdrakes.EvenSigmaronlywoundedtheGreatWyrm,Abraxas.”

“Youarenotreassuringme,Max,”Felixsaid.“IthoughtforamomentIwasabouttobecometheheroofsomemightytale.”

“Truthfully,Felix,judgingbyyourdeedsyouandGotrekarealreadythat.Iamamagician,notaprophetoraseer,butIdonotthinkitisentirelybychancethatyoursword,Gotrek’saxe,Malakai’sweaponsandevenmyownselfarehere.Isuspecttheworkingsoffate.IfIwereamorevainandamoredevoutman,Iwouldseethehandofthegods.”

“I find that difficult to imagine,” Felix said. “I find it easier to believe thatGotrek and I liveunderthecurseofthegods.”

“Youaretoocynical,HerrJaeger.”“IfyouhadseenwhatIhaveseen,youwouldbecynicaltoo,”saidFelix.MaxlookedatFelix,asiftryingtoweighhowserioushewas.Afteramoment,heglancedaway.“Gotrekwasright,”hesaid.“It’sgoingtorain.Hard.”

The trackdescended into a longvalley thatmight almost havebeen in the lowlandsof the easternEmpire.Treescoveredtheslopesofthevalleysides.Dry-stonewallsturnedthehillsintoapatchworkofovergrown fields.Here and there,patchesofwild flowersbloomed.Felix caught thedistinctivescentofwildberryandsummer-thornroses.Houseswerevisibleamongthewalls,andatfirstglance,astrangermighteasilyhavetakentheplaceasinhabited.

A second glance would convince them otherwise, Felix thought. The grey unmortared walls,builtlikethedykesthemselves,werescorchedandblackenedasifbyfire.Thesodroofsofmanyhadcaved in.Weeds had overgrown the kitchen gardens. There were no signs of domesticated beastsanywhere.Justtheoccasionaldog,goneferal,whichlookedatthemwithhungryeyesandthenslunkaway.

“Dragonwork,”Ullisaid.“Ortheworkofreavers,”Gotreksaid,gesturingtoapatchofwhitebonesbleachinginthelong

grass.Felixwalkedovertothemanddiscoveredgrassgrowingthroughtheeyesocketsofahumanskull.Arustybladelaynearathand,andbypushingthegrassaside,hediscoveredtherottingremainsofaleathercuirass.Itlookedlikeithadbeenchewed,perhapsbyhungrydogs.

Evenashestudiedtheremains,hefeltcoldwetnessonhishairandonhisface.Thedarkcloudsabovehadfinallymadegoodontheirpromiseofrain.

“Wecan shelter amid these ruins,”Maxsaid. “Partof the roof is still intact, andwecan rigatarpaulinovertherestofit.”

“Whynotjustcreepintothebackofthewagon?”suggestedSteg,withaglintinhiseye.“Overmadeidboadie!”Malakaisaid.SomethinginSteg’sappearancesuggestedthathemight

notbeaversetothatidea.“I don’t suppose the ruinswill behaunted,” boomedUlli.He looked a little pale andnervous

oncemore.“You’renotafraidofghosts?”Bjorniasked.“Areyou?”“Ifearnothing!”Ullisaid.“Butonlyafooltemptsthewrathofthespiritsofthedead.”“IsupposethatmeansweshouldsendSnorriin,”Bjornisaidnastily.

“Snorri thinks that’s a good idea,” said Snorri, oblivious to the insult. “Snorri isn’t afraid ofghosts.”

“Therearenoghostsinthisplace,oriftherearetheyaretheghostsofmewlingmen,andwhatneedhavewetofearthem,”GotreksaidandstompedafterSnorri.

“Might aswell get in out of the rain,” Felix said, and looked around to see if theKislevitesagreedwiththem.

“Ah’ll joost stay wae ma wagon,” said Malakai Makaisson, glaring at Steg from under hisbeetlingbrows.

Steg shookhishead, anddisappeared inside.Hewas smirking tohimself.For the first time itoccurredtoFelixthatStegmightactuallyenjoytormentingtheengineer—andthatinsomeperverseway,Malakaitookpleasureinbeingtormented.Heshrugged.IftheSlayerswantedtoindulgeinsuchpettybickeringitwasnobusinessofhis.Theraindrummeddownontheroofofthecottage.Itwasatypicalpeasantdwelling:onelargeroomwhichhadoncebeeninhabitedbyhumans,theirdogsandtheircattle.Rainpuddledinthemiddleofthepackedearthfloorundertheholeintheroof.Ratsscuttledaboutamidtheremainsofthefurniture.Despite the damp, Snorri had managed to get a fire crackling over by the chimney, and the notunpleasantsmellofwoodsmokefilledtheroom.

More clouds of smoke drifted across the chamber, mingling with the weed fumes from theSlayers’pipes.AlloftheSlayerssaveUllihadproducedthem,andwerepuffingawayinthemorosesilencethatpassedascompanionabilityamongdwarfs.

Listening to the rain,Felix found time tobeglad that thegoblinshadnotattacked themin themiddleofthestorm.HewonderedhowMalakai’sgunpowderweaponswouldhavefunctionedthen.Notwell,heguessed.Heprayedthatitwasafinedaywhentheyfinallyconfrontedthedragon.Thatmadehimthinkofthesword.Hedrewitfromthescabbardandbegantoinspecttheblade,studyingitwithanintensityhehadneverusedbefore.

Itwasawell-madeweapon.Fromthedragon’sheadonthepommeltotherunesonthebladeitgaveevery indicationofhighquality.The steelof thebladegleamed.Theedgeswere razor sharpdespite the fact he had never taken awhetstone to them.The runes caught the firelight, but, at thatmoment,appearedmerelydecorative.Therewasnohintofanysorcerouspowerlurkingwithintheblade, and, lookingat it,Felix found ithard tobelieve that therecouldbe.Theweaponseemedsoprosaicthat,wereitnotforhismemoriesofitspower,hewouldhavethoughtitmerelyanotherrichman’sblade,notsomemysticalweapon.Thenagain,Firebeard’shammerhadlookedthesamewaybackintheTempleofGrimnir,andFelixknewexactlyhowpotentitwas.

“Youlookthoughtful,”Ulrikasaid.Felixlookedupather.Shehadbeenstandinginthedoorwaynotmomentsbefore,staringoutintotherain.

“Andyoulooklovely,”hesaid.“Always readywith flattery,” she said,but therewasnohostility inher tone. “Whatwereyou

thinkingabout?”“Iwasthinkingaboutthissword,andhowIfoundit,andaboutthedragon.”Withoutmeaningto,

hefoundhimselftellingherofthequesttoKaragEightPeaks,ofhowheandGotrekandAlbrechtand the others had fought theirway into the dark tunnels beneath themountains, and had slain theChaostroll.Hetoldherofthespiritsofthedwarfkingswhohadappearedbeforethem,andofhowtheyhadleftthetreasuresofthelostcityinthetombandhespokeoftheeeriegrandeuroftheancientdwarfcity.Itwasonlywhenhenoticedthatsilencehadfallenoverthechamberthatherealisedthatallthedwarfswerelisteningtohim.Suddenlyembarrassed,hestopped,butSnorri lookedoverathimandsaid,“Goon,youngFelix.Snorrilikesataleasmuchasthenextdwarfandyoursisagoodone.”

Theotherdwarfsnoddedacquiescence,soFelixspokeon,tellingofbattleswithChaoswarriorsin thewoodsof theEmpire, andencounterswithevil cultists in thecitiesofmen.He talkedof thebattlewiththeskavenamidtheblazingbuildingsofNuln,andofthelongvoyageacrosstheChaosWastes in searchof the lostdwarfholdofKaragDum. Itwasdarkby the timehe finished, and thesilence in thechamberhad intensified.Herealised thatatsometimeduringhisspeech therainhadstopped.

He looked up, and at thatmoment the smoke cloudwhich filled the roombillowedunder theimpactofthenightbreeze,thesamebreezethatpartedthestormclouds.Throughthegaphecaughtaglimpseofthecoldsky.Twomoonshoveredthere.Thelargeroneshonesilver,sendingachilllightdowntobathetheland.Thelessermoonglowedgreenishly,andtheaurathatsurroundeditobscuredthestars.Hewascertainthatitsglowwasbrighterthaneverhehadseenitbefore,brightereventhanonthatunholyGeheimnisnachtwhenheandGotrekhadfoughtwiththeworshippersofSlaanesh.Heknewthen,intheinnermostrecessesofhissoul,thatthepowerofChaoswasgrowinginproportiontothemoon’sglow,andthathoweverlonghelived,thatmoonwasgoingtogrowbrighteruntilitslighteclipseditslargersibling.Hewassuddenlydreadfullyafraid.

Ifanyofthedwarfsnoticedtheygavenosign.Eventually,Bjornispoke,“ByGrungni,GrimnirandValaya,FelixJaeger,youhaveseenmoreoftheancientholyplacesofthedwarfsthanmanyofthedwarfs.Idonotknowwhetheryouhavebeenblessedorcursed,butIbelievethatsomehowthegods look on you with favour. Why else would you have been chosen to wield the Hammer ofFirebeard?”

All theotherdwarfsexceptGotreknodded theiragreement.Felixnoted thatsome timeduringhistale-tellingGotrekhadvanishedoutside.HecouldheartheSlayertalkingtoMalakaiMakaissonnow thathehad stopped speakinghimself.Bjorniglancedaround, a feverish light illuminatinghisuglyface.Hespatintothefire,rubbedhishandsandspoke:

“Tis a night for tale-telling so I’ll give you a yarn. Some of youmay have heard the awfulrumoursaboutthenightImettwoelfmaidensinataverninMarienberg.Iwanttotellyouthat thestoryisnottrue.Well,notentirelytrue.Ithappenedlikethis…”

Thegroansandjeersoftheotherdwarfsthreatenedforamomenttocuthimoffbuthecontinuedunabashed.FelixlookedoveratUlrika.“Shallwetakeawalk?”heasked.

Shenoddedagreement.***

Thesmellofdampandrain-soakedearthassaultedFelix’snostrils.He lookedaroundwarily.Theyhadwalked a longway from the cottage and the fire. Perhaps too far for safety in these perilousmountains.Still,hesensedthattheyhadbothwantedtobealone,tospeakfreely,farfromthedwarfs.Thiswastheonewaytheycouldhavesomeprivacy.Hewaswillingtoriskthedanger,ifonlyforafewminutes.

Ulrika’shandfeltwarminhis.Henoticedthatherfingerswerecallousedfromblade-work.Herhairsmelledfaintlyofsweat.Asdidherclothes.Itwasnotaromanticscentbut itwashers,andheliked it.He glanced at her face, admiring the profile. Shewasmost certainly beautiful, and at thatmomentlookedthoughtful.

“Felix,whatistobecomeofus?”sheasked.Heconsideredherquestionforamoment,knowinghewasnoclosertoananswerthanhehad

beeninKarakKadrin.Afterawhilehespoke.“IwillgowiththeSlayerstofacethedragon.YouwillgoontoKislevandcarryyourfather ’s

warningtotheIceQueen.IfIsurviveIwillseekyouout.”“Thenwhat?”

“ThenmostlikelywewillgotoPraagorwhereverthearmiesmustertofighttheChaoshordes.”Heglancedupatthegreenlyglowingmoon,andshivered.“Andthenperhapswewilldie.”

“I do not think Iwant to die,” she said softly. It sounded as if it came as a revelation to her.Perhapsitdid.HeknewshewasbornandbredontheplainsofnorthernKislev,wheredutyanddeathwerethingschildrenweretaughtassoonastheywereoldenoughtounderstandtheirmeanings.

“Noonedoes.”“Ihavebeengivenaholytrustbymyfather.Iamtobearwordofhisneedtoourliegelady.And

yetIfindmyselfthinkingof…abandoningmydutyandrunningaway,offindingaplacetohideforawhiletolaughandloveandlive.IfindmyselfthinkingthisandIamhorrified.Whatwouldmyfatherthink?Whatwouldthespiritsofmyancestorsthink?”

“Whatdoyouthink?”“IfIweretorunaway,wouldyougowithme?”Felix lookedather.At thatmoment,he forgotabouthisoath toGotrek,about thedestiny that

MaxSchreiberhadtalkedof,abouthisowndreamsandillusionsofheroism.“Yes.Doyouwanttogo?”

Shewas silent for a longmoment, and he could see the struggle written on her face. A teartrickleddownhercheek,andhealmostreachedouttowipeitaway.Somethingkepthimfromdoingit.Hefeltthatatthatmoment,theirtwoliveswerehanginginthebalance,andthatperhapsshecouldchange their destinies with a single word. He looked into her eyes, and saw a spirit at war, andthought,shetrulydoesloveme.Hewasgoingtospeak,butatthatmomentsheturnedaway.Hedidnotmovehishand.Thesilencelengthened.“Idonotknow,”shesaid.“IdonotknowyouandIdonotknowmyselfanymore.Youareafool,FelixJaeger,andyouhavemadeafoolofme.Iwillgowithyoutofacethedragon.”

Sheturnedandfledawayfromhimbacktowardstheminedcottage,runningasifallthefiendsofChaoswereatherheels.Felixwonderedwhathadhappened,andrealised thathedidnothaveaclue.Felix returned to findastrangerby the fire.Hewasa tall, scarredman,garbed in leather.Awide-brimmedleatherhatshadedhisface.Alongswordlayscabbardedbyhisside.Abundleofcloth,tiedto the end of a staff pushed into the earthen floor and the lute the stranger plucked idly with hisfingersmarkedhimasawanderingminstrel.

Noonewasshowingtheslightestinterest,butthestrangerdidnotseemtoobothered.Helookedonlytoogratefulforthefire,andcompanionstoshareitwith.Felixwasn’treallyallthatinterestedinhim.HewantedtotalkwithUlrikabutshehadalreadycastherselfdownonthefarsideofthefire,and lay between her bodyguards, seemingly determined to pretend he was not there. Felix feltobscurelyhurt.Hispridewaswounded.Ifthat’swhatshewants,hethought,thenlethergetonwithit.Hewantedsometimetothinkaboutwhatshehadsaidanyway.

“Whoareyou?”heaskedthestranger,nonetoopolitely.Thestrangerregardedhimpleasantlyenough.

“JohanGatzismyname,friend.Whatisyours?”“FelixJaeger.”“YouareacompaniontotheseSlayers?”“Yes.”“It’s common enough to seemen and dwarfs travelling together in thesemountains. It is less

commontoseethreeKislevites,asorcerer,amanoftheEmpireandagangofSlayersjourneyingasagroup.Haveyoujoinedtogetherforprotectionontheroad,oristhereatalehereImightsingof?”

“Thatdependsonwhattypeofsongsyousing,”Felixsaid.

“Allsorts.”“As I told you earlier, we’re going to kill the dragon,” bellowedUlli boastfully. JohanGatz

wincedandraisedaneyebrow.“AndyouareaccompanyingtheseSlayersontheirdeathquest?Yourfriends here have toldme allmanner of tales about you andGotrek there. You’ve led interestinglives.”

“Apparentlyso.”Felixdidnotknowwhyhewasoffendedbytheman’scuriositybuthewas.Itwasquitecommonforminstrelstobeinquisitive.Theirstockintradewasquiteoftenasmuchnewsandgossipasitwassongsandmusic.Thedwarfsseemednonetoobotheredbyhim,but therewassomethingaboutthemanthatrubbedFelixthewrongway.Hetriedtellinghimselfthathewasbeingunfair,thathewasjustupsetbyhisconversationwithUlrika,buttherewassomethingaboutthemanthatmadehimsuspicious.

“Howcameyoutobewanderingthroughthesemountains?”Felixasked.“Iwouldhavethoughtthisadangerousregionforamantotravelinalone.”

“A minstrel may travel anywhere he pleases. Even the most savage brigand will not slay apennilessplayerwhenhecanhaveasongforfree.”

“Ihadnotheardorcsandgoblinsweresoappreciativeofstrollingplayers.”“Iamafastrunner,”saidJohanGatzwithaneasysmile.“Thoughintruth,ImustconfessthatI

amsomewhatalarmedbywhatIhavefoundhere.”“Really?”“Yes.ThelasttimeIpassedthiswaywasseveralyearsago.TheHighRoadthenwaslinedwith

townsandvillageswhereamancouldearnhisbreadandsomecoin.Theregionwasnotsowildandlawless.Therewereneitherorcsnorbanditshere then.HadIknownwhatIknownow,IwouldnothavecomebackthiswaybutwouldhavestayedinOstmarkregardlessofthecompetitionthere.”

“Itmighthavebeenwiser.”“Aye,thatitmight.Hindsightisalwayswisesight,asmydearoldmotherusedtosay.”“Yousaythateventhemostdesperatebanditswillleaveaminstrelalone.Haveyoumetany?”“Ihavemetsomewhomighthavebeen,thoughtheyletmebe.”“HaveyouheardaughtofHenrikRichter?Heissaidtobethekingofthebanditshereabouts.”JohanGatz laughedout loud.“ThenherulesaprettypoorkingdomasfarasIcansee. Ihave

seennogreatarmiesofbanditsnorhaveIheardanythingofthisbanditkingalthoughIconfessthatnowthatyoumentionhim,itmightbeagoodideaforasong.”

“Ihavenevermetanybanditsquitesoromanticastheonesyouhearaboutinminstrels’songs,”Felix said. “None I have ever met robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, or fought unjustlandownersfortherightsofthedowntrodden.TheonesImetonlywantedtoseparatemyheadfrommyshouldersandmypursefrommybelt.”

“Youhavemetmanybanditsthen,HerrJaeger?”askedJohanGatzwithanoddgleaminhiseye.“Afew,”repliedFelix.“Then you must be a hardier man than you seem, to still be alive. You do not sound like a

mercenaryoraswordsman,ifImaysayso.”“Hardyenough,”Felixsaid,sensingasubtleinsultintheman’swords.“FelixJaegerisoneofthemightiestmenSnorriNosebiterhaseverknown,”saidSnorrifrom

thefarsideof thefire.Felix lookedoverathiminsurprise.Hehadnot thoughthehadmadequitesuchagoodimpressionontheSlayer.NorhadhebeenawarethattheSlayerhadbeenlisteningquitesocloselytotheconversation.“Ofcourse,thatisnotsayingmuch,”addedSnorriquicklytogenerallaughterfromthedwarfs.

Felixshruggedandgavehisattentionbacktotheminstrel.“Wegotoslaythedragon,”hesaid.

“Thereshouldbeasonginit,ifyoucaretoaccompanyus.”“Ilikeliving,”saidtheminstrel.“Butshouldyousurvivetheexperience,seekmeoutandIwill

makeasongofthetale.Itwillprobablymakemefamous.”Hepausedforamoment,andconsideredhiswords.“Doyouhonestlythinkyouhaveachanceof

surviving?Canyouevenmakeittothemountain,ifwhatyoutellmeoforcsandgoblinsandhumanbanditsistrue?”

“We have already put a warband of greenskins to flight,” Felix said, knowing that he wasboasting,butneedledbytheminstrel’stone.OnceagainJohanGatzraisedaneyebrow.

“Twelveofyoudidthat?”“Oneisawizard.TheSlayersaremighty.MalakaiMakaissonisanexcellentweaponsengineer.”“Youusedwarfarmamentsthen,gatlingcanonsandsuch?”Felixnodded.Theminstrellaughedgleefully.“Itseemsyouarenotgoingaboutyourdragon-slayingintheorthodoxmannerthen.Nowhite

horses,nolances,nomagicalweapons.”“We are too,” said Snorri. “Gotrek’s axe ismagical. He killed a bloody big daemonwith it.

Snorrisawhim.AndFelix’sswordismagictoo.Youcantellbytherunesifyoulookclosely.”Felixwondered ifSnorri hadbeen eavesdroppingonhis conversationwithMaxSchreiber or

whetherhereallycouldtellbytherunes.Ineithercase,Felixwishedhehadnotsaidanythingabouttheweaponsinfrontofthisinquisitivestranger.Hehadthefeelingthathehimselfhadalreadysaidtoomuch.HedidnotknowwhybuthewasstartingtotrustJohanGatzlessandless,andhehadnottrustedhimverymuchtobeginwith.

“It seems I have underestimated you,” said the minstrel. “Your expedition seems remarkablywell-prepared.Icanalmostpityanybanditsyouruninto.”

“It’slate,”Felixsaid.“Ineedtogetsomesleep.”“Thatseemswise,”said thestrangermockingly.“Afterallyouhaveabusyfewdaysaheadof

you.”Felixthrewhimselfdownonthefarsideofthefire.Hetookalastglanceattheminstrel,andwas

not surprised to see the man watching him closely. He was surprised to see Max Schreiber waslookingsuspiciouslyatGatz.Itseemedhe,too,hadhissuspicionsabouttheman.

Felixwonderedifhewouldwakeupinthenightwithhisthroatcut,andthendecidedthatitwasunlikely.AnybodywhotrieditwithalltheSlayersaroundwasinforaveryshortlifeafterwards.

Notthatitwouldbemuchconsolationifhehimselfweredead,Felixthought,ashedroppedintoarestlessslumber.JohanGatzcursed.Thegodshadspatonhimagain.Whenhehadnoticedthewagon,hehadhopedtofindasmallmerchantcaravanwithmaybeafewbodyguardsdownhere.HehadnotexpectedagangofSlayersandthisbunchofheavilyarmedhumans.Hewasparticularlyannoyedbythepresenceofthewizard.TherewasnosenseintryingtoslipoutandgivethesignalthatwouldbringHenrikandtheladsdownfromthemountainside.Thewizardwaswatchinghimtooclosely,andthedwarfswereassuspiciousastheyweresurly.

Itwasonlytobeexpected,hesupposed.LuckhadnotbeenwithHenrikRichter ’sgangrecently.Thingshadn’treallygonerightsincethedragonhadarrived,andtheorcsmovedinalongtheHighRoad.Oncetherehadbeenrichpickingsalongthistrail,atleastrichenoughforasmallishbandofformermercenariesandcut-throats.Withalltheextramouthstofeed,thingswerenotsogood.Johancursedthenecessityoftakinginthehumanrefugeesfromthedestroyedvillages,buttherehadbeennootherway.Theyhadneededextraswordsjusttoholdtheirowncitadelagainsttheorcs.

Hesupposedheshould thankSigmarforsmallmercies though.At leastnoneof the travellers

hadquestionedhisdisguiseasawanderingminstrel,althoughthathardeyedman,Jaeger,hadseemedsuspicious.Takingthislotoutwasnotgoingtobeaneasyproposition,hecouldtell.Itwasn’tgoingto be a case of offering an unsuspecting sentry a drugged drink, slitting his throat, and thensummoning the boyswith a lantern. These laddieswere hard, and he did notwant to try anythingtrickywithamagicianwatching.Anyway,hehadalwaysheardthatdwarfscouldsmellpoisonandhisownexperiencehadconfirmedthis.

Hefeltcertain thatconfidentas thisbunchmightbe,HenrikRichterandhisbanditcrewcouldovercomethem.AtleasttheycouldifHenrikassembledhiswholearmyinonespot.Theymightevenbe able to do itwith the fifty or somen thatHenrik had in the foothills above. “Might” being theoperativeword.Thisganglookedtough,andevenifHenrikandtheboyscouldovercomethem,theywould probably take an unacceptable number of the lads to hellwith them.On thewhole itwouldprobablybebesttoleavethemalone.

Therewasnotgoingtobeanyprofitinthisnight’swork,hecouldtell.Ontheotherhandotherpossibilitiessuggestedthemselves.PerhapshecouldoffertheSlayersanallianceagainsttheorcs.Heknew that the stunties hated the greenskins even more than he did. Probably wouldn’t work, hethought.TheywereSlayersandontheirwaytofightadragon,andJohanwasfamiliarenoughwiththewaysofdwarfstoknowthatgettingbetweenastuntyandahoardofgoldwasasurewaytogetbootprintsonyourchest.

Itwas then that the idea struck him.Thiswas awell-equipped expedition. Perhaps theSlayerscouldkill thedragon.Perhapsnot.Buttherewasalwaysthepossibilitythat theycould,orwounditbadlyenoughsothatitmightbeslaughteredbyanarmyofmen.Ifthatwerethecase…

Skjalandir had a bighoardof treasure, thatwas for sure.Dragons alwaysdid.That being thecase,thewaytoprofitfromthismightbetofollowthesemaniacsandseewhathappened.Eveniftheywon,theywouldmostlikelybeweakenedenoughbythebattleforHenrikandtheboystoovercomethem.Andiftheylost,maybetheywouldweakenthedragon.ItwasanideahewouldputtoHenriktomorrow.Hewassurehiscousinwouldgraspitssignificanceatonce.

Johan licked his lips at the thought of the dragon’s hoard of treasure.Hewas certain that hissharewouldbemorethanenoughtobuyhimalittletaverninNulnandlethimleavethedangerousprofessionofbanditryaside.Perhapsthingswerelookingup,hetoldhimself,anddriftedintodreamsofmountainsofgold.GreySeerThanquolglaredaroundthegreatantechamberoftheTowerofMoulder.Hewasfuriousandhewasfilledwithfear.SincehisarrivalatHellPithehadbeenkeptwaiting.ClanratwarriorsinthedistinctiveliveryoftheMastershadshownhimandLurktothishugeroomandthenabandonedthem there.Hewonderedwhyhehadbeenbroughthere.Hehadneverbeenallowed into the innercitadel of the Moulders before. Previously all his business with them had been conducted in thecavernouschambersinthecraterwallsthattheclanusedforallitsbusinesstransactions.Hewasnotsurewhetheritwasagoodsignorabadsignthathehadbeenbroughthere.Beingrightattheheartofthecitymadehimfeelexceedinglynervous.Hereachedoutandtouchedthewindsofmagic,justtoreassure himself. The power of darkmagicwas strong here. It was hardly surprising, given howclose they were to the Chaos Wastes and how much warpstone dust was in the air, but it wasreassuring.

Once again he inspected his surroundings, searching for the hidden peepholes he felt certainwere there. It was not in the least likely that any skaven clan would allow a stranger to standunobserved in the heart of their fortress, and Clan Moulder were possibly the most devious andsuspiciousofalltheratmanclans.

Thanquolwanderedovertothewindowandstaredbalefullyoutatthebenightedcity.Itwasnot

madefromglassbutfromsometranslucentleatherysubstancewhosescentremindedhimofflesh.Itwasadisturbingreminderthat therawmaterialonwhichClanMoulder ’sprowessandfortunewasbasedwasnothinglessthanthestuffoflifeitself.

He looked down on an eerie cityscape.Huge towers that reminded him of the tusks of someenormous beast dominated the inside of the crater. From their towering tips emerged clouds ofglowingsmoke: lividgreen, ruby,cobaltblueandallmannerofother toxic shades.Thepillarsofsmokerose tocontribute to thehugecloudofpollutionthateternallyhoveredabovethecraterandsometimesdescendedtocreatethicklyobscuringfog.Thanquolcouldtellfromthefainteerieglitterthat the smoke contained trappedparticles ofwarpstone.Part of himwasoutragedby this flagrantwaste,partofhimwasawestruckbythedisplayofsheerwealth.Hehadnoideawhatwastakingplacewithin those towersbut thecacophonyof screams,howlsandbestial roars toldhim that itwasnotpleasant.

Among the towers lay other buildings, constructed in a distinctly un-skavenish manner. Thebuildingswerehugetentsofdecayingleatheryflesh,thrownovermassiveskeletonsoftwistedbone.Theyhadanodd look that suggestedhuge ticksorbeetles frozen inplacebysomestrangemagic.Thesewere thebarrackswithinwhich the slavesand soldiersof theclansdwelt.The streetsbelowteemedwithskaven,andherealisedthatitwaspossiblethatHellPitwasaratmancitysecondonlytoSkavenblightinpopulation.

Hereandthere,amidthewidestreets,weregreenishlyglowinglakesofpollutedwater,reputedlystillcontaminatedbythewarpstonestarfallthathadcreatedthevastcrater.Faraway,hecouldseetheglitter of thousandsof lights,windows in the craterwall. Itwas rumoured that thewholewall hadbeenburrowedout intoanendless labyrinthof tunnelsandartificialcaves toprovideburrowsandlaboratories for the clan.Even asThanquolwatched, a hugedoor opened in the crater side, and amassivecreatureemerged.Atthisdistance,inthedark,Thanquolcouldnotmakeoutallthedetails,butsomethingaboutthecreaturesuggestedacaveratgrowntothesizeofamastodonwithahowdahonitsback.

AcrossthenightskyflickeredformsthatThanquolatfirsttooktobebats,butwhichheswiftlyrealisedweretoobig.Thesimplestexplanationwasthattheyweremutantbatsgrowntomassivesize,but one of them veered closer to the tower, and he realised that it was a skaven with bat-likemembranesunder itsarms.PartofThanquolfelthorrorat thisblasphemy.Hadnot theHornedRatcreatedtheskaveninhisownimage?Wasnottamperingwithshapeofthehighestofallcreaturesthesupremesacrilege?ThanquolhadalwaysknowntheMouldersweremad.Hehadjustneverrealisedquitehowinsanetheyreallywere.

Still,itwasabrilliantmadness,initsway.Evenhehadtoconcedethat.Inthisbarrenplacefarfrom the true centre of skaven civilisation,ClanMoulder had done things that evenThanquol hadneverdreamedof.Hewondered if theCouncilofThirteenwereawareofquitehowmuchtheclanhadachieved.Surely,hethought,theremustbesomewayhecoulduseallofthistohisadvantage.

He glanced around the room once again.Here, too,was evidence of themad genius ofClanMoulder. The leather-covered thrones and couches appeared to be incredibly torpid living things.Every timeThanquol lookedback, theyhadchangedpositioneversoslightly, inamanneratoncemaddeningandslightlysinister.Thegreyseersuspectedthatthewholeroomwasdesignedtomakevisitors uneasy and put them off-balance in any confrontationwith the builders. Finally, Thanquolfoundwhathewaslookingfor.Highaboveintheceilingamidthewarpstone-poweredglobesofthechandelier,hesawaclusterofeyes.Theyswayedslightlyastheyobservedhim,andthen,reactingtothefacthehadnoticedthem,theywithdrewintotheceiling,vanishingfromsight.

As if this was a signal the door to the chamber opened like a set of great jaws, and the

enormously fat figure of Izak Grottle waddled in. A living table covered in bone bowls andtranslucentfleshyplatesfollowedhim.

“Greetings, in thenameofMoulder,GreySeerThanquol,” rumbledGrottle inhisunnaturallydeepvoice.“Greetingsindeed.Itisgoodtoseeyouoncemore.”

Thanquoldoubtedthathisoldrivalwaspleasedtoseehim.GrottlehadtriedtobetrayThanquolmanytimeswhenthegreyseerhadled thearmyagainstNuln.Therewasbadbloodbetweenthem,andThanquolhadswornhewouldonedayhavevengeanceonGrottle.Hedidnotdoubtthat,iftheopportunityarose,theMoulderwouldtrytodoawaywithhim.Heknewhewouldhavetobecareful.

Grottleslumpedintooneofthethrones.Itsleatheryfurmouldeditselftohisshape,expandingoutwardstomakeroomforhisfatrump,thenenfoldinghiminanunnaturalmanner.Itslegsflexedslightly as ifwith strain, and Thanquolwould have sworn he heard it emit a slight grunt.After amoment,thechair ’sbackstartedtorippleasifitweremassagingitsoccupant.Grottleleanedforwardandhelpedhimselftoasmallbroiledratfromthetablewhichhadmanoeuvreditselfintopositioninfrontofhim.

“So,Grey Seer Thanquol, you have returned bearing the spoils of your attack on the horse-humans’ burrow that you promised my Clanlords. You have come to report success in youracquisition of the dwarf airship and have brought the secrets of its construction to sharewithmyoverlords. You have come bearing tidings of the whereabouts of the Moulder troops whoaccompaniedyouonyourquest.”

Grottleforcedtheratwholedownhisthroatandthensmiledwickedly.HeknewthatThanquolhadbroughtnosuchpleasanttidings.ItoccurredtothegreyseerthatGrottlewasenjoyingthis.

“Not exactly,” Thanquol said, twitching his tail uneasily. Grottle helped himself to anothermorsel.

“Notexactly,”hemutteredtohimself,inanalmostgloatingtone.“Notexactly.Thisisnotgoodnews,GreySeerThanquol. This is not good at all.ClanMoulder lent you the services of severalhundredof its finest troops, andmany,manyof our deadliest beasts, on theunderstanding thatwewouldsharethespoilsofyoursuccess.Attheveryleast,youwillbeabletoreturnourwarriorsandourbeaststousthen.”

Thanquolknew thatGrottleknew thathecoulddono such thing.The fatmonsterwas simplytoyingwithhim,nowthathehadthegreyseerinhispower.HewonderedifGrottlewoulddaredoawaywithhim.Thanquolwas,afterall,oneofthechosenoftheHornedRatandafavouredemissaryof theCouncilofThirteen.Surely,not even this ravenousbeastwoulddareharmhim.ConsideredreflectiontoldThanquolthatthiswasunfortunatelynotthecase.

AtthismomenttherewasnobodysavetheMouldersandLurkwhoknewofhiswhereabouts.Hehadsetoffinutmostsecrecy,hopingtoacquiretheairshipforhimselfandreturntopresenthimselfintriumphtotheCouncil.Ifanythinghappenedtohimnow,itwouldbeasifhehadsimplyvanishedfromthefaceoftheearth.Thanquol’sfurroseatthesheerunfairnessofit.Hehadcomehereingoodfaith towarn theMouldersof theperilof theapproachingChaoshorde,andtheywerepreparedtoassassinate himover somepetty debt they felt he owed them.He glared atGrottle, and swore thatwhateverhappenedhewouldmakethisfatfoolpayforhisinsolence.Hewasstillcapableofblastinghisenemiesintotheircomponentatoms.Grottlehadenteredthischamberathisperil.AsifsensingthechangeinThanquol’smoodGrottlelookedupathimandgrowled.Itwasafearsomesound,andThanquol remembered that, for all his enormousbulk, theMoulder couldbe alarmingly swift andterrifyingly strong in battle. He let his anger subside a little, but remained prepared to instantlysummonhispowersinhisowndefence.

“Thetroopshavenotreturned?”saidThanquol,affectingsurprise.

“Averyfew,”allowedGrottle,spearinganothermorselwithoneofhisclaws,transferringittohismouthandgulpingitdown.“Theybroughtconfusedtalesofabattle,andsorceryandamassacreofskaven.Thereweresuggestionsofincompetentleadership,GreySeerThanquol.Veryincompetentleadership.”

“I left command of themilitary side of the venture to theMoulders,” said Thanquol quickly,knowing that in a sense itwas true. Itwasnothis fault that theMoulder leaderswere incapableofimplementinghisbrilliantplans.“Iwouldnotpresumetojudgetheirefficiency.”

Grottle shook his head, as if Thanquol were a particularly slow runt who had failed tounderstandhismeaning.“Youwere inoverallcommand, Ibelieve,GreySeerThanquol.Youwereresponsibleforthesuccessofthemission.YougavemanyassurancestotheClanlordsofMoulder.Theyare…disappointed.Mostdisappointed.”

Thanquol’s tailstiffenedinoutrage.Hebaredhisfangsangrily.Animbusof lightwinkedintobeingaroundhisfingersashepreparedtounleashhismostdestructivespell.

“Before you do anything too hasty, Grey Seer Thanquol, please consider this,” Grottle said.“AfterthedebacleatNuln,IdonotrankquitesohighlywithinmyclanasIoncedid.YoumightsayIam indisgrace.Youmight also say thatmyClanlords considermeexpendable,which iswhy theyhavedelegatedmetohavethisconversationwithyou.Youmightfurtherwanttoconsiderthatyouarein theheartofClanMoulder ’sgreatestcitadel.Withincallare thousandsuponthousandsofclanratwarriors.Nottomentionavirtuallylimitlesssupplyofalteredbeasts.Anyonesofoolishastoattackamemberoftheclan,andthentrytoescapefromthisplace,wouldnotgetmorethanahundredstrides.Imentionthisknowingthatyouaretoowisetoattemptanysuchthing.Fartoowise.”

Thanquolgroundhisteethinfrustration.Grottle’sthreatwasclear.AlsoimplicitinthestatementwasthefactthatnoonewouldcareifhetookGrottlehostageandtriedtonegotiateawayout.Hewasalmostembarrassedtoadmitthathehadnotevenconsideredtryingit.Grottlecontinuedtospeak.Hisdeepvoicesoundedmild,gentleeven.“Totellthetruth,Iwassurprisedthatyoucamehere.Iwouldnothaveexpecteditafterthe…embarrassmentwiththeairship.Whydidyoucome?”

“Ibringappallingtidings,andawarningforthemastersofMoulder.”“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”Grottleaskeddisinterestedly.Hesuckedsomethingfromhisextended

talon.Hisclawslookedalarminglysharp,Thanquolnoted.“A Chaos horde, limitless in numbers and boundless in power, makes its way southwards. It

seems the servants of the four Powers are leaving the Wastes and coming south as they didgenerationsago.”

“Thisisgravenews.Iftrue.”“Itistrue.IswearitbytheThirteenSecretNamesoftheHornedRat.Ihaveseenthehostwithmy

owneyes,smelleditwithmyownsnout.LurkandIbarelyescapeditwithourlives.”ThanquolthoughtitbestnottomentionthatthefollowersofTzeentchhadlethimgo.Hewanted

togiveGrottlenoexcuse to think thathemightbeaspyora traitor to theskavencause.Heknewthereweremanyjealousratmenwhowouldbeonlytookeentogivesuchaninterpretationtoevents,despitetheinherentludicrousnessoftheidea.DespitethefactthatThanquol’snamewasabywordfordevotion to the skaven cause, hewaswise enough toknow that hehad enemieswhowouldgive atwistedinterpretationtoevenhismostinnocentact.HeprayedthatLurkwouldrememberthistoo.

“Thisisterriblenewsthen.Whatdoyouproposethatweshoulddo?”“Musteryourarmies,makereadytodefendHellPitagainstaninvasionbytheforcesofChaos.It

mighthappen.”“Andifitdoesnot?”“Thenmusteryourarmiesanyway.Surelythehordewillsowterrorandalarmalongitspath.In

thecomingwartherewillbemanyopportunitiestoadvancetheskavencause.”Evenashiswordscarriedhimaway,Thanquolcouldseetheyweretrue.TheChaoshordewas

goingtoattackthehumankingdom.Whatevertheoutcome,thestrugglewouldsurelyweakeneventhevictoriousside.Alltheskavenhadtodowaswaitandnewopportunitieswouldinevitablyfallintotheiroutstretchedpaw.“TheCouncilofThirteenmustbenotifiedatonce.”

Grottleyawnedandrosefromhischair.“Youmayberight,GreySeerThanquol.Iwillreportyourwordstomymasters.Theywilldecidewhattodonext.”

Thanquol could not believe it. He had just handed this fat fool information of the utmostimportance,andhecouldnotseetheurgencyofthesituation.Thanquolconsideredblastinghimoutofsheerfrustration.Herestrainedhimself,knowingthathewouldhavetogetwordtotheCouncil.Armieswouldhave tobeassembled.Planswouldhave tobemade.Heknew that therewasnoonebetterequippedtoleadsuchaforcethanhimself.Inhisexcitementhealmostforgotabouttheairship.InthecomingwartherewouldbecountlessopportunitiestocoverhimselfingloryandadvancehispositionintheeyesoftheThirteen.TheHornedRathadsurelyblessedhimoncemore.Onceagainhewasintherightplaceattherighttime.

Grottlepausedattheentrancetothechamber.“Bytheway,GreySeerThanquol,untilthismatterisresolved,youaretheguestofmyclan.Wewillseetoyoursafety.Wewillmakesureyourneedsaremet.Youare,afterall,averyspecialguest.Iamsureyouunderstandmymeaning.”

Thanquol’sheartsank.HeknewexactlywhatIzakGrottlemeant.Heknewnow,beyondashadowofadoubt,thathewastheprisonerofClanMoulder.

ELEVEN

INTOTHEVALLEYOFDEATHFelix lookeddownontheentrance to theDragonVale.Hehadnotseenasceneofsuchsurpassingbleakness since they left the ChaosWastes. Around the shores of a small lake lay a collection ofburned out ruins that had once been a town.All the houses,watchtowers and farms that had oncesurroundedthetownhadbeenequallydevastated.Thefieldswereovergrown,andhereandtherewhatcould only be bones glitteredwhitely amid the long grass. In someways thiswasworse than theWastes,foritwasobviousthatthelandsbelowhadoncebeenasthrivingandprosperousastheywerenowdesolate.

At thefarendof thevalleystoodagreatbarrenpeak, risingabove theslopesof thefoothills.Therewassomethingespeciallyhorribleaboutthismountain.Ithadasenseofpresence,ofmenace.Justbylookingatitsgreyishsides,youcouldtellthattherewassomethingdreadfullurkingthere.

Felixtriedtotellhimselfthatitwasjusthisimagination.Suppliedwiththeknowledgethattheywerewithinsightofthedragon’slair,hismindwasworkingovertime,conjuringupanatmosphereofgloomanddestruction.

Evenashetriedtoreassurehimselfheknewhewasright.Therewassomethinghorribleaboutthisplace.Nobirdssang.Thewindthatblewdownthevalleywasmournful.Thecloudshunglowandoppressive in the sky. At any moment, Felix feared to look up and see a huge winged shapedescendingoutofthem.

Ithadbeenalongmarch.AlmostthreedayshadpassedsincetheirencounterwithJohanGatz,andduringthattimehissuspicionsaboutthesupposedminstrelhadincreased.TherehadbeentimeswhenUlrikahadthoughtshehadseenmenwatchingthemfromthehills.Timeswhenhehimselfhadcaughtsightofgreenskinsmovingalongthehighslopesparallel to them.It lookedas if theywerebeingwatchedbyatleasttwofactionsastheyhadmovedthroughthemountains.

Atleastthewatchershadprovedwary.TheyhadstayedwelloutofbowshotandvanishedassoonastheSlayersmadethefirstsignsofpursuit.Bythetimetheygottothespotwherethegreenskinshadbeen,theorcshadvanished.Itseemedthatthefateoftheirearlierattackershadtaughtanywould-beambushers a lesson. Either that or they were waiting for something. Felix could not guess what.PerhapsnowtheyhadenteredtheDragonVale,theywouldbeleftalone.Orperhapsthegreenskinsweresimplywaitingforthedragontoslaytheinterlopers,thentheywoulddescendanddespoilthebodies.Ifthedragonleftanythingtodespoil.Felixwasn’tfeelinganytoocheerfulabouttheoutcomeoftheirquest.Itwasalltooeasytobelievethateverylastoneofthemwoulddieinthisplace.

Hesquaredhisshouldersandsmiledexperimentally,hopingthiswouldchangehismood.Ifthatwerethecase,hetoldhimself,atleastGotrekwouldachievehislong-soughtdoom.HeglancedoveratUlrikaandanycheerythoughtsevaporated.Theyhadbarelyspokenonthetriphere.Actually,shehadspokenmoretoMaxSchreiberthantoFelix.Itwasobviousthatshewaspurposefullyavoidinghim.

Inawayhedidnotblameher.Whatfuturewasthereforthemnow?Theywouldmostlikelydiewithinthenextfewdays.Andevenifbysomemiracletheysurvivedtheencounterwiththedragon,theywouldsoonhavetofacethehordeofChaosrampagingdownintoKislev.Hewasnotevensurehow he felt about her himself. He was hurt by the way she treated him, and felt absurdly andexaggeratedlysensitivetoherbehaviour.Attimesduringthemarch,hehadbeenmoreconcernedbythewaysheavoidedlookingathim,orthewayshetalkedtoMax,thanhewaswiththepossibilitythat

hemightsoonbeslaughteredbythedragon.Max,atleast,lookedcheery.HesmiledashejokedwithUlrika.Felix’sstomachchurnedashe

sawhersmileback.Hewasjealousandguiltyandtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.OlegandStandarefusedtolookathimtoo.Hewascertainitwasnothingpersonal, theywere

simplystandingbyUlrikaaswastheirduty.Theycouldnottakehissideeveniftheywantedto.Felixcursed tohimself.Evenby theexcruciatingstandardsof the trekshehadenduredwithGotrek, thiswasamiserablejourney.

“There’sadragonaboutheresomewhere!”bellowedUlli.“Icansmellhim.”The other Slayers looked at the youthwith amixture of contempt, amusement and irritation.

“Doesyourkeennosetellyouhowsoonwewillencounterit?”askedGotreksarcastically.Ullifellsilent.

“Ireckonwe’llbeatthedragonmountinsideaday,”saidBjorni.“We’llseeitthen.”“Iwonderhowmuchtreasureithas?”Stegsaid.Felixlookedathimuneasily.Hecouldseethe

gleamofgoldfeverinthedwarf’seyes.Itwasnotareassuringsight.Dwarfshadbeenknowntodomanydishonourablethingsunderitsinfluence.Itseemedhewasnottheonlyonewhorecognisedit.

“Dinnaeyouworryyerselabootthedragon’sgold,”saidMalakai.“Youjoostkeepthinkin’aboutthebigbeastieitself.”

GrimmeglaredatSteg.Steglookedathisfeet.Heseemedalmostembarrassed.“There’ssomethingelsedownthere,”Gotreksaid.“Icansmellit.Andit’snotadragon.”FelixhadalotmorefaithinGotrek’snosethanhehadinUlli’s.“Whatisit?”heasked.“Idon’tknow,”Gotreksaid.“Butwhateveritis,youcanbetitwon’tbefriendly.”“Nowthere’sasurprise,”mutteredFelix.

“Whobeye?”askedthemadwomanastheyenteredtheruinedtown.Shestoodoutsidetheremainsofaninn.Likeallthebuildingsinthetownitwasbuiltfromstone.Nowitspokeonlyofthedragon’scapacityfordestruction.Itswallswerescorchedandcakedwithsootfromtheburningofitstimbers.Inplacesthestoneshadmeltedandrun,atestimonytotheheatofthedragon’sbreath.

Felixlookedather.Herfacewasfilthyandherclothingreeked.Shewasgarbedintatteredrags.Ablackenedscarfheldhermattedhairoutofhereyes.Moreragswerewrappedaroundherfeet.Ahugeclaw-likenailemergedfromtheclothbandagedaroundherleftfoot.Justfromlookingintohereyes,Felixcouldtellthatsheandsanityhadpartedcompanyalongtimeago.

Thedwarfslookedatherwarily.Gotrekhadwarnedthemtheywerebeingwatchedminutesago,and theyhadall readiedweapons. Itwasdifficult to seewhat threat shecouldbe to suchaheavilyarmed party unless she were some sort of witch. Felix glanced over at Max. As if reading histhoughts,thesorcererlookedatthewomanandshookhishead.

“Wearetravellers,passingthrough,”Felixsaid.“Whoareyou?”“Ihadanameonce.Ihadaman.Ihadbabies.Thiswasmyhome.”Awildgestureindicatedthe

burnedoutshellofthetavern.“Nomore.NowIwait.Nowyoutravelandyoutraveltomeetdeath.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“Deathdwellsonyourroad.Hedwellsinacaveinthemountains.Deathcamehereanddevoured

myfamily,myfriendsandmychildren.Deathwillcomeagainformesoon.”Felixfeltanuncomfortablesympathyfortheoldwoman.Shehadseenherwholelifedestroyed

bythedragonandhadretreatedintomadness.Herewasanotherofthecreature’svictims,likepoorVarek.“Itwasthedragonwhokilledyourlovedones,”hesaideventually.

“Death is thedragon.Thedragonisdeath,”shesaidandletoutahighpitchedcacklinglaugh.“Androundheredeathhasmanyservantsandmanyworshippers.Asyoushallsoonfindout.Astheothersdid.”

“Whatothers?”“Otherdwarfswithbigaxesandbadhaircuts.Mightymenmountedonchargersandarmedwith

lances.Menofviolencewhocameseekingdeath’shoard.Allofthembonesnow,scatteredalongtheroadtodeath’scave.”

FelixknewshewasreferringtosomeoftheSlayerswhohadprecededthem.Hewonderedaboutthe knights though, and this troop ofmercenarieswho had apparently come seeking the dragon’streasure.ItseemedSkjalandirhadvisiteddestructiononthemall.

“Tellmeaboutthesemercenaries,”Felixsaid.“Whowerethey?”“Theycameseekingdeath’sgold.Theyhadswordsandshieldsandaxes.Theyhadgreatengines

of destruction andwizards to cast spells. They climbed death’smountain. Death took them. Deathgulpeddowntheirfleshandspatouttheirbones.Heletafewofthemfleeandthenhuntedthemdown,flying after them on his leathery pinions. Listening to their screams as the shadow of hismightywingsfellacrossthem.Intheend,deathtookthemall,butnotbeforehehadmadethemsuffer.”

“Thedragonplayedwiththem,”MaxSchreibersaidominously.“Deathisnotkind,”saidthewoman.“Deathwillcomeforusall.Someheletslivesothatthey

mightworshiphim.Somehepunishes for theirdisobedienceofhiswill.Death isa terrible, angrygod.Bestyouturnback,strangers,whileyouyetmay.”

“Areyousayingsomeofthesurvivingtownspeopleworshipthedragon?Doyou?”“Some there arewho still dwell here,whokill newcomers andoffer themup as sacrifices to

death.Isaytheyarefools.Whatneedhasdeathof theirofferings?Deathtakeswhathewishes,andonedayhewilltaketheirlivesaswell.”

Wonderful, thought Felix.Not only dowe have the dragon, the greenskins and the bandits toworryabout,wehavesomecrazedsurvivorswhoworshipthebeastasagod.

“Thankyouforyourwords.Doyouneedanything?”Felixasked.“Food?Water?Money?”Themadwomanshookherhead,thenturnedandlimpedawayintotheruins.Felixfeltheought

todosomething.Perhapscallherbackorofferhertheirprotection,thenherealisedhowludicroustheideawas.Theymightwellnotbeabletoprotectthemselves,andthesafestplaceforhertobewaswellawayfromthem.

“Lethergo,”saidMaxSchreiber.Felixwatchedherwalkaway.Partofhimthoughthemightbesaferifhedidthesame.

The road wound along the shores of the lake. The waters were calm and still, and reflected thesurroundingmountainslikeamirror.Occasionally,thewindstirredupsomewavesandsentthemtobreakonthebeach.ItwastheonlysoundFelixcouldhearotherthanthemoaningofthewind,andthecreakofthewheelsofMalakai’swagon.Allaroundthelandscapewasbleakanddesolate.Thereweremany signs of human habitation — bothies, cottages, shepherds’ huts — but all of them lookedabandoned or destroyed. Felix tried to imagine what the valley must have been like when it wasinhabited.Sheepmusthavegrazedalongthesehills.Woodcuttersmusthaveworkedamidthecopsesof firs.Loversmusthavewalkedhand inhandalong thewater ’sedge.Doubtless fishingboatshaddragged their nets through the lake. Felix had seen the stone pylons that had once supported theburnedoutpierbackinthetown.Hehadseentheblackenedhulksofshipsoverturnedinthewater,scorchedbydragonfire,holedbydragonclaws.

Itwascoldnow.HetuggedhisredSudenlandwoolcloaktightaroundhimtofightoffthechill.Bjornibrokeout intoaraucousandbawdyballadabouta trollanda tavernkeeper ’sdaughter.Hisvoiceboomedout, disturbing the eerie silence.Felixknew thatBjorniwas singing to lighten theirgloomymood,but even so,wished thathewouldnot. It seemed somehowunwise to challenge thebroodingsilence,todrawattentiontothemselvesinanyway.

Todosoinviteddestructiontodescendonthemasithaddoneontheinhabitantsofthevalley.Perhaps,thoughtFelix,that’swhatBjorniwanted.HewasaSlayerafterall,andheroicdeathwas

hisavowedgoal.Asif inanswer toBjorni’ssongtherewasadistantroar, low-pitched,bestialandthreatening.Itechoedthroughthemountainslikethunder.Itwasunnaturallyloudandterrifying,andon hearing itBjorni fell silent. Felix stared at the horizon, convinced that inmoments the dragonwouldbeonthem.Hishandwenttothehiltofhissword,andimmediatelyatinglingwarmthpassedthroughhim.Helookedallaround,buttherewasnosignofthedragonsavetheechoofitsvoice.

HelookedatUlrikaandthenGotrekandsawanuneasewrittenonboththeirfacesthatmirroredhis own.He exchanged glanceswith the rest of the party and noticed that theywere all pallid andwithdrawn.For longmoments, the silencedraggedon.Theyheld theirbreathswaiting to seewhatwouldhappen.After aminuteor so,Bjornibegan to sing again, veryquietly at first buthisvoicegatheringstrengthwitheveryword.Hewasnotsingingabawdy tale this time,butsomethingelse,someold dwarf hymnorwar-song that resonated through the valley.SoonMalakai joined in, andthenUlliandthenSteg.OnebyoneallthedwarfssaveGotrekandGrimmeaddedtheirvoices,thenMaxSchreiberdidaswell.SoonFelixfoundhimselfhummingalong.

Therewassomethingreassuringaboutthesinging,asifbydoingit,theychallengedthedragonandreaffirmedtheirowncourage.Ashefellintostepwiththeothers,Felixfelthiscouragereturn,andhemarchedalongwithalighterheartthanhehadfeltinmanyaday.

Aheadofhim,hecouldseetheplacewherethepathlefttheroad,andwounditswayupthesideofDragonMountain.Thecloudswerelower.Theybillowedthroughthegapsinthesurroundingpeaks,extendingmist-liketentacles to embrace theDragonMountain.Visibility decreased. The air became evenmore chilly.Thesenseofoppressiondeepened.

Outofthemistloomedasmallmanorhouse.Itlookedasifithadoncebelongedtoawealthyfamily,perhapssomemountainnobleman.Assuch,Felixrealised,itmusthavebeenoneofthefirstplacestobedestroyedwhenthedragonawokefromitslongsleep.Halfthewallsweretumbleddown.Felixfounditalltooeasytoimaginethembeingcrushedbytheweightofthedragon’smightybodyploughingthroughthem.

In hismind’s eye, he immediately conjured up a picture ofwhat itmust have been like to beinsidethebuildingwiththemightybeastrampagingoutside.Hecouldalmostsmellthethatchedroofonfire,feeltheheatcracklinginhisface,thesmokemakinghiseyeswater.Inhisdaydreamheheardthe ear-shattering bellows, the crunch of claws on stone, the shrieks of the dying, the unansweredprayers formercy. Then finally, he envisioned the unnatural sight of thewall bulging inward, thestonescracking, toppling,givingway,and, in the lastmomentbefore fierydeath,aglimpseof thedragon’shideousvisage,theglareofitshugeeyes.

So vivid was the image and so frightening, that he began to wonder if the dragon’s merepresencehadcastsomesortofwickedspellontheplace,cursinganywhopassedtoexperiencethelastmomentsofitsdoomedvictims.Hetriedtellinghimselfthatitwasjustthemist,thememoryofthedragon’sroars,andhisownimpressionablemindthathadconjureduptheimage.Or,perhaps,theimagehadbeencreatedbythesword,respondingtothedragon’spresence.Certainlyhecouldfeelatrickleofenergypassingfromthebladeintohisownbody.Somehowthatdidnotreassurehim.

His legs ached from the long uphill march. He felt cold and lonely and more than a littledepressed.He felt inhisheartacertaintyof impendingdeath thatwasonlyslightly relievedby themagical warmth emanating from his sword. The encounter with the madwoman that morningremainedwithhim,andthememoryofherwordsdisturbedhim.Hedidindeedfeeltheclosenessofdeathat thismoment,andherealisedthathehadretreatedintohimself toavoidconfrontingit.The

othersappearedtohavedonethesame.Thesinginghadceasedthemomenttheyhadsetfootonthepathtothedragon’slair.Allofthepartyofadventurersseemedtowanttobealonewiththeirthoughtsandtheirprayers.

Felixconsideredhislife.Itseemedlikelytobemuchshorterthanhewouldhavewantedittobe.Hedidnotconsideritparticularlywastedthough.InhistravelswithGotrekhehadseenmanythings,metmanypeople,andeven,perhaps,donesomegoodbycombatingtheforcesofdarkness.Hehaddonesomeextraordinarythings,likeflowninanairship,andseentheChaosWastes.Hehadfoughtwithdaemonsandmonsters,andtalkedwithmagesandnobles.Hehadwitnessedritualsofmagicanddepravity,andfeatsofheroism.Hehadknownafewgoodwomen.Hehadfoughtduels.

Stilltherewerethingshehadnotdone,andthingshewantedtodo.HehadnotcompletedthetaleofGotrek’sdeeds,orevenfairlybegunit.Hehadnotreconciledhimselfwithhisfatherandfamily.

He had not even settled things between himself and Ulrika. Of all of them, that at least waspossibleatthismoment,hethought.

Withtheshadowofimminentdeathnowhangingwellandtrulyoverthem,itseemedpointlesstobe jealous, or to worry about what she had been laughing about withMax, or evenwhether theywould ever truly be lovers again.He felt at thatmoment that hewanted simply to showher someaffection,makesomehumangestureof trustandunderstanding,connect forwhatmightbe the lasttime.Evenifsherejectedhimorrefusedtospeaktohim,hewantedtoatleastmaketheeffort.

He lengthened his stride andwalked up the trail to overtake her.He fell into step beside her,reachedouttotouchhershouldergentlyandgetherattention.

“What?”shesaid.Her tonewasnotfriendly,but itwasnotunfriendlyeither.Suddenly,hewasfilledwithoddemotion,amixtureofangerandneedandpityandsomethingelse.Heknewexactlywhathewanted to say, andexactly thewordsneeded to say it, andyet itwasdifficult just to speakthem.

“Thismightbethelastchanceweeverhavetospeaktoeachother,”hesaideventually.“Yes.So?”“Whyareyoumakingthissodifficult?”“Youaretheonewhowantedtotalktome.”He took a breath to calm himself, and tried to remember his good intentions of just a few

minutesbefore.Eventuallyheforcedhislipstomove.“IjustwantedtosaythatIlovedyou.”Shelookedathim,butsaidnothingback.Hewaitedforaresponseforamoment,slowlyfeeling

theweightofhurtandrejectionbuildupwithinhim.Stillshesaidnothing.Then, suddenly, the dragon’s enormous roar filled the air again. The earth beneath their feet

seemedtovibratewithit.“Ithinkwe’regettingclose,”saidUlli.

Thepathwayledupoverthebrowofthehill,andthenslopeddowntotheright.Felixcouldseethattheyhadentereda long,barrenvalley.Theair smelled foul,andanacridchemicalstenchmingledwiththemist.Itsmelledmoreliketheoutsideofatannerythanamountainvalley.Eventhegrassoftheslopes in thisplacehada scorchedyellowish look to it. Itwasas if themalignpresenceof thedragonhadleakedintotheearthitself,corruptingit.

Felixrealisedthathehadseensomethinglikethisbefore,intheChaosWastes.Itwasalmostliketheeffectsofwarpstone.

Malakaihaltedhiswagonandbegantosearchaboutwithinit.Oneafteranotherheproducedaselection of devices which he strapped to his chest. Felix recognised some of them. One was aportable gatling gun of the sort Varek had carried intoKaragDum.Otherswere large bombs he

clippedtohisharness.Thelastwasalonghollowtubeintowhichheloadedalargeprojectilebeforeslingingitoverhisshoulder.

“Ah’mreadytopaythebeastieaweevisitnoo,”hesaid,movingdowntheslope.Gotreknoddedhisagreementandranhisthumbalongthebladeofhisaxe,producingabeadofblood.

“Comeout,dragon!”hebellowed.“Myaxethirsts.”“Iwishyouwouldn’tdothat,”Felixmutteredquietly.Gotrekwalkeddownthepath,shouldertoshoulderwithMalakai.“Snorrithinksthiswillbeagoodfight,”saidSnorriNosebiter,andheftinghisweaponssetoff

afterthem.“Iwonder if thereareanysheeparoundhere. Icouldusea little relaxation,”Bjornisaid, then

shrugged and strode downslope.Grimmewentwith him.This left only the humans, Steg andUllistandingatthehilltop.

“Isupposesomebodyoughttoguardthecart,”Ullisaid.Helookedalittleshame-faced.NotthatFelixblamedhim.Hewasnottookeentogoandfacethedragonhimself.

“Iwasthinkingthesamething,”Stegsaid.“Theremustbelotsofvaluablestuffhere.”UlliandSteglookedateachother.Theybothlookedmoreandmoreembarrassed.“IthoughtSlayersweresupposedtoseekaheroicdeath,”Felixsaid.“Metoo,”agreedUlrika.Ulligazedathisfeet.Stegstaredatthesky.Bothofthemlookedveryafraid.Felix shookhishead, thenhe strode into thevalleyof thedragon.Ulrikaandherbodyguards

followed, bows held at the ready. Max gave Ulli and Steg a look that was somewhere betweensympathyandcontempt,andthenstrodeintothevalley.Tohishorror,Felix realised that somethingwascrunchingunderfoot.Lookingdownhecould seethathewaswalkingonsticksofsomethingbrittleandblack.Ittookhimamomenttorealisethattheywerefire-scorchedbones.

“Well, I guesswe knowwhat happened to the other folkswho came here,” hewhispered.Hewantedtobeabletotalkloudlyandbravelybuttherewassomethingintheairthatcompelledhimtoquietness.

“Yes,”Ulrikasaid,thenadded,“Idon’tthinkwealwaysknew.”Shesoundedasifshethoughthiscommentwasidiotic.Whichinaway,hesupposed,itwas.He

tookadeepbreathandtriedtoremaincalm.Hisfingerstightenedonthehiltofhissword,andnewstrengthanddeterminationflowed intohim.Felix feltas ifheought to resent theusurpationofhisbodyandhiswilltothesword’spurpose,butactuallyhewasgratefulforit.Hewonderedifhewouldevenhavebeenabletocontemplateapproachingthegreatbeastifhewerenotcarryingtheweapon.HewasastoundedbythebraveryofUlrikaandherhenchmen,whodidnotevenhavetobehere,andwhodidnothavethepowerofamagicalswordtoencouragethem.

He thoughthiscouragehadbeen testedbefore inhisencounterwith theBloodthirsterbeneathKaragDum,butinsomewaysthiswasworse.Intheancientdwarfcitytherehadbeennopossibilityofescape.Hehadbeentrappedalongwiththedwarfs.Therehadbeennothingelsetodobutstandandfight.Hedidnothavetobehere.

Therewasnothingstoppinghimfromrunningaway,orgoingbacktojoinUlliandSteg.TherewasnoarmyofChaoswarriorsblockingthewayback,astherehadbeeninKaragDum.Hewasnotentombeddeepbeneath theearth.Heknewthat insomewayshewasnotevenboundbyhisoath tofollowGotrekanymore.Onlytheothernight,hehadofferedtorunawaywithUlrikainspiteofit.Andyet,herehewasadvancingintothemist,marchingtowardsadragon’slair,apparentlyofhisownfreewill.

It was not that simple though. He was still bound by a whole complex pattern of events,dependenciesandemotions.HedidstillfeelsomeloyaltytoGotrek.Hedidnotwanttolooklikeacoward infrontofUlrikaand theothers.Hedidnotwant todestroyhisownimageofhimself.HeknewhedespisedUlliandStegfortheircowardice,eventhoughheunderstoodtheiremotionsalltoowell.Hedidnotwanttobelikethem.HedidnotwantUlrikaandMaxandtheothersthinkingofhiminthesameway.

Andtherewasnoeasyretreat.Thehillswerestillfulloforcsandbanditsandtherewasnowaybackforonemanonhisown,evenaccompaniedbytwocowardlydwarfs.HewonderedifUlliandSteghadrealisedthis.Andhesuspectedthat,beneathallhisfeelings,thepoweroftheswordheheldwasatworkonhim,nudginghiminthedirectionitwantedhimtogo.

Felixwonderediftheotherswereinasimilarquandary,iftheytoofeltthesamecomplexmixofemotionsthathedid.Fromtheirgrimexpressions,itwashardtotell.Everyfacewasamaskofself-control.Everyhandwassteady.

Notwantingto,andyetsomehowcompelledtodoit,Felixcontinuedtoputonefootinfrontoftheother,certainthateverysteptookhimclosertodeath.Max could sense the dragon up ahead, as surely as he could feel the winds of magic. It was anominouspowerfulpresence thatmadehimwant toquiverwith fear.Hehad readabout theauraofdragons,ofhowtheyinspiredfearineventheboldestheart,and,havingexperienceditonce,hehadthoughtthathewaspreparedforit.Hewaswrong.

He felt that at anymoment thegreatbeastmight springoutandendhis lifewitha snapof itsjaws. Thismust be how a bird feels, when it senses the nearness of a cat, he thought. To distracthimself,hereachedouthissensesandgraspedatthewindsofmagic,preparinghimselftolashoutwith a spell at the smallestwarning.He had alreadywoven his subtlest andmost potent protectivespellsuponhimselfandhiscomrades.Hewonderediftheyhadevennoticed.

Hewasalsoaware thatotherpowerswereatworkhere.Theominousblade thatFelix Jaegerborewasbeginningtoblazewithpower.ToMax’swizardlyeyesitglowedlikeabeacon.Maxcouldsensethesentienceinitwasbeginningtoactivateitsownspells.Hadhenotbeenabsolutelycertainthatthebladewasasdeterminedastheytoputanendtothedragon,Maxwouldhavewovencounterspells.

EvenashethoughtthisMaxwonderedwhyhewassocertainastothesword’spurpose.Wasitpossiblethat thebladewasaffectinghisownmind,andmakinghimbelievethis?Hedoubtedit.Hefelt that he would have sensed any such encroachment on his mind. He inspected his ownmentaldefences, searching for a breach, just in case, and found none. Then again, any spell of sufficientsubtletytoaffecthismindwouldalmostcertainlyleavehimthinkingthatanyway.

Healmost laughed.Herehewasworrying about a relativelyminorpossibilitywhenaheadofhimhesensedadragon,withadragon’smagicandadragon’sincrediblepower.Whatdiditmatterwhat theswordwasup to? Itwasnot theonlymagicalweaponhere.TherewasGotrek’sawesomeaxe,athingthatcarriedapowerwithinitanorderofmagnitudegreaterthanFelix’ssword,aweaponcapableofbanishinggreaterdaemons.

ThemoreMax thought about these events themore he believed there was a pattern to them.MalakaiMakaissonwashere,alsoarmedwiththedeadliestdevicesdwarfsteel-craftwascapableofbuilding, and he was here too, his magic having reached new heights of potency on the journey.Surelysuchthingscouldnotbeaccidents.Perhapsthebenevolentpowerswhostoodguardovertheworldhadbroughtthemhereforareason.

Maxfoundhimselfsmilingquietly.Thiswasadangerouslineofthinking.Warriorsandwizardswhothoughtthemselvesspeciallyprotectedbythegodsusuallyfoundthemselvesinanearlygrave.

Perhapstheydiedservingthegod’spurposes,perhapsnot.Thehigherpowerswererarelyopenwiththeirhumanfollowers,andnotnecessarilykindtothem,either.

If hewashonest, hewasherebecauseUlrikawashere, andhewanted toprotect her. Itwas afoolishandromanticnotionforawizard,butitwasthetruth.Ifthatledtohisdeath,thensobeit…

He took another breath.Alongwith thewinds ofmagic, he sensed rottenness and corruption.Thiswas not the simple stink of evil. Itwas like the smell of gangrenous flesh he had sometimesscentedinahospiceduringhisapprenticeshipinhealingmagic.Afainthopestirredwithinhim.

Perhaps the dragon had been more badly wounded in its attack on the airship than they hadthought. For amoment, his heart lightened then realism reasserted itself. Even if the creaturewasbadlyhurt,itwasnotnecessarilyagoodsign.

Dragons,likemostbeasts,werealwaysattheirmostdangerouswhenwounded.Ulrikaheldherbowready.Shewasnotsureexactlywhatasinglearrowcoulddoagainstamonsterasmightyasthedragon,butshewasdeterminedtoatleasttry.ShehadalreadygiveninstructionstoStandaandOlegtodothesameassheintendedtodo:aimfortheeyes.Nomatterhowwellarmouredthecreature’sbodymightbe,itseyesmuststillbevulnerable.Atleastshehopedthiswasthecase.Shecouldnotseehowtheycouldbearmoured.

Sheclungtothisthoughtforreassurance.Thiswasadreadfulplace.Itstankofdeathandillness.The bones of the dragon’s previous victims lay all around, wrapped in rusting chainmail andmouldering leather, sightless eye-sockets staring towards the heavens. It seemed like hundreds hadtriedtokillthebeastbeforethem,andnoneofthemhadsucceeded.

Forthehundredthtimeshewonderedwhyshewashere.ShecouldhavelefttheSlayers,andtriedtomake herway north along theHighRoad. She could even have left KarakKadrin by the longwesterlyroute.Shehadnotandthereweretimeswhensheregrettedit.TakingadifferentroutewouldhavemeantleavingFelixandshehadnotbeenpreparedtodothat.Morefoolshe.

She felt as if shehaddesertedher duty to her father andher kinsfolk for a stranger.And forwhat?Shehadthoughtshelovedhim,but,ifthiswaslove,itwasnotlikeanythingthebardssungof.Itwasfuryandirritation,andaninsanesensitivitytotheleastlittlething.Itwasfear,oflossandofhaving.Itwasfeelingthatyouhadstoppedbeingyourselfandwerebecomingastrangertothepersonyouhadbeen. Itwas thispowerfulbrutish force thatmadeyou thinkaboutamaneven thoughyouwouldnottalktohimandevenasyouwalkedintoadragon’slair.

Shewishedhehadnotagreedtogowithhertheothernight,andshewasgladhehad,evenifitwouldmakehimanoathbreaker.Shewonderedwhether theycouldhave slippedawayandmade itthroughthemountainsintoobscurityandalifetogether.Andsheknewitwasanillusion.Theywerenotthesortofpeoplewhocouldhavedonethat.Shecouldnot,intheend,abandonfamilyandduty.

ShelookedoverandsawthatMaxwassmiling,andwonderedwhatthemagiciancouldfindheretosmileabout.Hewasastrangeman,butagoodone.Hecouldnothelpitifthegodshadgiftedhimwithstrangepowers.Heseemedtoatleastwanttodohisbesttousethemforgood,andhehadbeenatruefriendtoherandtherestofthem.Shewascertainthattheonlyreasonhewasherewasbecauseofher,andshewastouchedbythat,thoughshethoughtitwasfoolishofhimtobetakingapaththatmostlikelywouldleadtohisdeathbecauseoflove.Ontheotherhand,hewasbeingnomorefoolishthanshe.

Upahead,shesawtheSlayershadstopped.Theystoodbeforeahugecavemouth.Thestinkofrotandputrefactionwasstrongerhere,asiftheywerecomingclosetoitssource.TheystoodnowatthemouthofSkjalandir ’slair.Wherewasthedragon,shewondered?UlliwatchedStegrummagingthroughthebackofMalakaiMakaisson’swagon.Alookofshameandembarrassment crossed his face.He tugged his beard.He kicked a stone.He felt dreadful.He had

alwaysknownhewasacoward.Hehadfledfromhisfirstbattleandbeenostracisedbyhisclan.HehadsoughttoatoneforitbybecomingaSlayer.HehadthoughtthatGrimnirmightsmileonhim,andgranthimthecourage to finddeath.Thegodhadnotdoneso. In fact it looked likehisshamewasgoingtobeincreased.WhohadeverheardofaSlayerwhowasacoward?

“Foundanythinginterestinginthere?”heasked,justtomakeconversation.“Lots of gear. Lots of tools,” Steg said. “Probably weapons. I don’t know how to put them

together.MustbeworthafortunebutIdon’tknowhowtousethem.”Hesoundedangryanddisappointed.Ulliwonderedifhehadreallythoughttomakehisfortune

bystealingtheengineer ’sdevices.Hehadbeenwonderingthatsincethestartofthetrip.Notthathewouldhavemindedrightnow.Theengineer ’sweaponshadcertainlyroutedthosegoblins.Withthem,theymighthavestoodachanceofgettingback.Withoutthem,theyprobablydidnot.

Heglancedbackdownslope.Tohissurprisethemisthadstartedtolift.Throughit,hethoughthesawhumanoidshapes,green-skins,comingevercloser.Hisheart sank.Heknewnow therewasmostlikelynoescape.

Hefeltsomethinghardeningwithinhim.Thiswashopeless.Therewasnowayback.Whicheverwayhelookedtherewasonlydeath.PerhapsGrimnirhadansweredhisprayersafterall.Hecametoadecision and climbed up onto the back of the cart. He saw that in the cases Steg had rummagedthroughwereacollectionoftheblacksphericalbombsthatMalakaiwassofondof.Theywoulddo.He picked up a blanket and, using it as a sack, quickly filled it with bombs. Stegmeanwhile hadnoticedtheorcs.

“Lookslikewe’vegotcompany,”hesaid.“Aye,” said Ulli. “I’d stay and kill them, but the dragon is bigger. It’s a better ending for a

Slayer.”Stegshrugged.“Aye,you’reright.Anditmostlikelyhasgoldtoo.”“Let’sbeawaythen.”TogethertheyraceddownintotheDragonVale.Ullihopedthatiftheyhurriedtheymightcatch

upwiththeothers.Hewasnotsureexactlywhy,buthefeltitmightbebettertodieincompany.Themouthofthedragon’scaveloomedbeforethem.Felixguessedthattheroofmustbenearlyfivetimeshisownheight.Hepeeredin,half-expectingtocatchaglimpseofahugereptilianheadintheheartbeatbeforeitsfierybreathincineratedhim.Hesawnothingsavethatthecaveextendeddeepintothe earth. In the shadowygloom, he couldmakeout stalactites and stalagmites. For amoment, thecaveitselfseemedtobethemawofanenormousmonster,butthencommonsensereasserteditself.“Ican’tseeanydragon,”hesaid.

“It’sinthere.Icansmellit,”Gotreksaid.“It’sdowninthedark,cowering.We’lljusthavetogoinandgetit.”

Gotrek’s description of the dragon’s behaviour struck Felix as being unrealistic. He doubtedverymuchthatthedragonfeltanyfearofthematall.Itprobablyjusthadn’tnoticedthem.

“We’llneedlight,”hesaid.“It’stoodarktoseedownthere.”Maxgesturedandasphereofgoldenfirehoveredintheairabovehim.Hegesturedagainand

the sphere split into five smaller spheres, one ofwhichmoved to hover over each of the humans.FelixgatheredthatMaxalreadyknewthedwarfsdidnotneednearlyasmuchlighttoseebyasmendid.

“Iguesswe’renotgoingtobesneakinguponthedragonanyway,”Felixsaid.Helookedattheothers.“Let’sgetthisoverwith.”As theydescended into thedarkness,Felixwasgladof themagical light. Ithovered justbehindhisheadandgavehimenoughilluminationtoseeby.Itwasanabsolutenecessityinthisplace.Thefloor

of thecavernwas rough,anddescendedsteeply into thegloom.Rocksprotrudedfromthe flooratintervals.Hedidnotdoubtthatifhehadtriedtofeelhiswayforwardinthedark,hemighteasilyhavefallenandbrokenhisneck.

Thewayfollowedmanybranchingpathsbutitwasalwaysobvious,fromthesmell,andthetrailofslimybloodthatlaybeforethem,inwhichdirectiontheywouldfindthedragon.Felixwasgladofthemarkedtrailtoo.Thiswasnotonecave,herealised,butavastundergroundlabyrinthinwhichitwouldbealltooeasytogetlost.

Anenormousroarechoedthroughthecaverns.Thewindingcorridorsamplifiedittothepointwhereitwasalmostdeafening.Felix’searsrang.Hehadnoideawherethedragonmightbe.Once,judgingfromtheintensityofthesound,hewouldhavethoughtitwasclose,buthisexperiencesinthetunnelsofdwarfcitieshad taughthimthatnoisescouldbedeceptive. Inaway thiswasworse.Theuncertaintyfilledhimwithdread.

Around him the others were shadowy figures. The humans were outlined by the sorcerousspheres. The dwarfs were near invisible as they moved through the gloom. He could see theirsilhouettes,andheartheirvoices,butnothingmore.Thesmellofcorruptionwasgettingworse.Heputhishandoverhismouthandnostrilstokeepfromgagging.

Behindhim,hecouldhearthenoiseofrunningfeet.HeturnedtoseeUlliandStegmovingdownthecorridor.HenoticedthatUllihadahugesackthrownoverhisshoulder.

“I’m glad you could join us after all,” Felix said sardonically. “You’re not too late for theaction.”

“Wedidn’thavemuchchoice,”Ullisaid,lookingmorethansomewhatembarrassed.“Awholetribeofgreenskinshasshownupoutside.”

“Thewaybackiscutoff,”addedSteg.“Wonderful,”Felixsaid.“JustwhatIneededtohear.”“Don’tworry”saidSnorri.“We’llgetthemonthewayout.”

Thecavebecamealonghightunnel.Shadowsdancedawayfromtheglowingglobes.Thetrailledondeeperintotheearth.Somewhereoff inthedistancetheycouldhearrunningwater.Thewallsweredamp,andcoveredinslickgreenishmoss.Suddenlythebellowingstopped.

“Och,thebeastiemusthaesmelledus,”saidMalakai.“Ahdinnaedootitkenswe’rehere.”“Snorrithinksthat’sjustfine,”saidSnorri.“Snorriwouldn’twanttotakeunfairadvantage.”“Thecreaturemustdie,”Gotreksaid.“Thedwarffolkhaveamightygrudgeagainstit.”“Aye,”Grimmesaid.“Thattheyhave.SohaveI.”Everyonelookedathiminsurprise.Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverspokentothem.Hisvoice

wasquietandsadandsour.Hemettheirgazesevenly.Hatredandsorrowwereetcheduponhisface.“Thebeastkilledmywholeclan.IwasinthelandsofmentradingorIwouldhavediedwiththem.Ihavecomebackbearingthisgrudge.Iwilleitherkillthebeast,ordieexpungingtheshameoffailingtodiewithmyclan.”

“Thebeastiewilldie,”Malakaisaid.“Itowesmeforwhatitdidtaemalovelyairship.”“ThedragonmustpayforthedeathofVarek,”saidSnorri.“We’llmakeit,”Bjornisaid.“Areyougoingtostandherealldayboasting?”Gotreksaid.“Ihavebetterthingstodo.”“Let’sgo,”Malakaisaid.

Aheadtheycouldheartheroarofwater,andseesomethingglittering.“Gold,”Stegsaid,lengtheninghis stride, apparently unconcerned nowwith his personal safety. “Or the glitter of dragon scales,”Maxsaid.“Bepreparedtofight.”Astheymovedcloser,Felixcouldseeagreatcavernloomingaheadofthem.Itwasamonstrouschamber,asvastastheinterioroftheTempleofSigmarinAltdorf.At

oneendwasawaterfall,whichtumbledintoalargepool.ThewetnessofthespraymoistenedFelix’sface,evenatthisdistance.Theairstankofrottingflesh.

Aroundthechamber ’sedgeranseveralledgeslargeenoughtoholdaman.Thetunnelonwhichtheywalkedranintoacruderamp,smoothedbythepassageofthedragon’smassivebodyovertheyears. Here and there lay the bones of men and beasts and monsters. There was indeed treasureglittering in the cavern, greatmounds of it, silver and copper and gold and jewellery allmingledtogether.Itheldtheeyeformeremomentsthoughbeforeitwasdrawntothecreaturethatdominatedthehugespace.

Inthecentreofthechamberlaythedragon,thelargestlivingthingFelixhadeverseen,orhopedtosee.

Itwas the size of a small hill, an enormousmass ofmuscle and sinew and scale. Its leatherywingswerewrappedtightarounditsbody.Itslongtailwastippedwithagreatrazor-edgedpaddle-bladeofflesh.Doublerowsofserratedspines,eachaslargeasatallman,randownitsspine.EvenasFelix watched the monstrous serpentine neck uncurled as the dragon lifted its head to see whodisturbeditsslumber.Itglanceddownatthemwithbaleful,hate-filledeyes.Felixcouldseepainandmadness in the gaze. Part of him wanted to flee, but from the blade in his hand came a flow ofstrengthandcalmandcourage.

Eventhedwarfsweredauntedbythoseevileyes,Felixcouldtell.Behindhim,heheardUlliandBjorniandStegwhimper.EvenSnorriletoutagroanofdespair.OnlyGotrek,MalakaiandGrimmestoodtheirgroundwithnoshowoffear.FelixcouldsenseMaxandtheKisleviteswouldturntailattheslightestprovocation.Hedidnotblamethem.ThedragonwasaslargeastheSpiritofGrungni.Itsmouthwasamassive tooth-filledchasmwhichcouldeasilyswallowamanwhole.Flameflickeredfromitsnostrilsalongwithcloudsofacridchemicalsmoke.

“Holdfast,”Felixsaid,surprisedathowcalmhesounded.Onceagain,hefeltthepoweroftheswordatwork.“Ulrika,Oleg,Standa,getupontheledgesandstartshootingfortheeyes,thethroatoranyvulnerablespotyoucanthinkof.Max,canyourmagicprotectusfromtheflames?”

“Aye.Ihopeso.Foratime,atleast.”“Thendoso!”AnoteofcommandenteredFelix’svoiceandhewasamazedtoseethemjumpto

obey.Somethingelsestruckhim.Thedragonwasmovingslowly,draggingitsleftside.HopesurgedthroughFelix.Hethoughtheunderstoodwhathadhappened.

“It’swounded,”hesaid.“Itstillhasn’trecoveredfromVarekcrashingthegyrocopterintoit.”Thedragonrearedunsteadily,spreadingitswingsforbalance.Itshugeshadowflowedoverthe

wallbehindit,butthatwasnotwhatheldFelix’sattention.Hecouldseenowthathewasright.Therewasamassivewoundinthebeast’sside,whichfesteredgreenly.Thiswasthesourceofthestinkintheair.Varekhadhurtthecreaturefarmorethanhehadeverbelievedpossible.

“Tryfiringarrowsatthewoundinitsside,”Felixshouted.“Thescaleshavefallenawaythere.”UlrikaandthetwoKislevitebowmenwerealreadyrunningalongtheledges,spreadingoutand

taking cover behind the stalagmites.Max raised his staff and awaveof power flowedout of him,settingtheairshimmering.

“Charge!” roared Gotrek. All of the Slayers except Malakai raced forward. Without quiteunderstandingwhyFelixdidthesame.Thedragonmovedtomeetthem,theearthshakingbeneathitsponderoustread.Itsroarsweredeafening.Itsheadloopedforwardonitsneckanditbreathedasheetofflame.Felixraisedhisswordtoparryitashehaddoneontheairshipbuttherewasnoneed.TheshimmeringprotectivefieldcastbyMaxheldtheflamesatbay.

From the corner of his eye, Felix noticed that Stegwas not running towards the dragon, buttowards the largestpileof loot.Hedived into it likea swimmerplunging intowaterandshrieked,

“Gold!Lovelygold!It’sallmine.”He’smad,Felix thought.Evenas thedragon loomedover them,Steg tossedhandfulsofcoins

ecstaticallyintotheair,shouting,“Mine!Allmine!”From behind Felix came a weird spluttering hissing noise. Something flashed past overhead,

trailing fire. It exploded in the dragon’s wounded side, sending great chunks of flesh hurtlingoutwards, and exposing bone and inner organs. The dragon let out a fearsome roar that wassomewherebetweenabellowandascream.Asheclosedwiththecreature,Felixcouldheartheairhissingoutofthedragon’slungsthroughtheholeinitschest.

Themighty creature reared upwards, itswings flexing as it did so. Themovement drove thestenchof rotting flesh towards its attackers in an almost overpoweringwave.Felix fought to keepfromgagging,andlookedupinwonder.Hedidnotthinkhehadeverimaginedalivingthingquitesolarge. It loomed over him like a walking tower. There was something unnatural about it, as if abuildinghadgrown legsandstartedwalkingaround. Itwas so tall that itsheadalmost touched theceilingofthecavern,andthatwasalmosttwentytimestheheightofaman.

Howcanwepossiblyovercomethis,he thought,asawe threatened toparalysehim?Itdidnotseempossiblethathumanordwarfvalourcouldprevailagainstsuchathing.Itwasjusttoobig.Theywerelikemicetryingtoovercomeagrownman.EvenasthesethoughtssurgedthroughFelix’smind,Gotrekreachedthedragon’sfoot.

Felix’s numbed mind noted that the talons of the creature’s paw were almost the size of theSlayer.IfthisdismayedGotrek,hegavenosignofit.Hisaxeflashedthroughathunderousarcandbit into thedragon’s legatabout thespot theanklewouldhavebeeninahuman.Themightybladepartedscalesandflesh.Greenishbloodspurtedsteamingfromthewound.Thedragonbelloweditsrage and pain once more then bent forward, its head coming down with the speed of a strikingserpent,itshugejawsopeningandthreateningtotakeGotrekwithonegulp.

FelixwonderedifthemomentoftheSlayer ’sdoomhadfinallyarrived.DesperatelyUlrikatriedtogetabeadonthedragon’seye.Itshouldnotbedifficult,shetoldherself.Theorbwaslargerthanthetargetsshehadusedforarcherypracticeeversincechildhood.Ofcourse,thosetargetshadnotmovedaroundatenormousspeed,norhadtheybeenattachedtosomethingquiteasoverwhelminglyfearsomeasadragon.Partofherdidnotwant tofire for fearofattracting thecreature’s attention.And, in archery practice, therewas not the distraction of havingFelix and theSlayersfightingwiththetargeteither.

Staycalm,shetoldherself.Breatheeasily.Itdoesnotmatterhowlargethebeastis.Itdoesnotmatterwhat it isdoing. It is just another target.Youcanhit it easilyenough.Youhavehitbirds inflight.Thisshouldnotbesodifficultasthat.

Timeseemedtoslow.Hermindemptiedandcalmed.Shedrewbackthearrow.Withwhatseemedtoherincredibleslowness,thedragon’sheadstartedtodescend.Shecompensatedforthemovement,aimedatwheretheeyeshouldbewhenthearrowreachedit,andthenreleased.

Thearrowflewstraightandtrue.SheprayedtoTaalthatitwouldfinditsmark.Anarrowflashedoutofnowhereandhitthedragonintheeye,justbeforetheheadreachedGotrek.TheSlayerthrewhimselftooneside,andthedragon’sjawssnappedshutonemptyair.Thedragon’sown motion, and Gotrek’s hamstringing blow, combined to overbalance the creature. It tumbledforward,headlong.Felixcursed,realisingthat itwasgoingtolandonhim.ScreamsfromUlliandStegtoldhimthattheyhadrealisedthatthey,too,wereinthepathofitsdescent.

Thedragon’swingsflappedinstinctively,slowingitsfall.Felixfeltthewindflutterhiscloakandthrewhimselftooneside.Ullididthesame.Forsomereason,Stegrefusedtomove.“Youcan’thavemygold,”heshouted,swinginghispickuptostrikeatthedragon,evenasthehugebodylandedon

him.Felixheardthesquelchasheonlyjustrolledclear.FelixsawthatMalakaiwasstuffingsomethingintothemetaltubehecarriedoncemore.Asthe

dragonstartedtorise,hefinishedtheoperationandswungthecylinderintopositiononhisshoulder.Thedragonstretcheditsnecktowardshim,andasitdidso,Malakaipulledsomesortoftriggeronthefrontofthetube.Sparksflewfromthebackofthetubeandanotherprojectileflashedforthandspedstraighttowardsthedragon’smouth.ItremindedFelixofthefireworkshehadseenunleashedatAltdorftocelebratetheEmperor ’sbirthday.Nofireworkhadeverexplodedwithquitesuchviolencethough.Theforceoftheexplosionloosenedseveralofthedragon’sman-sizedfangs,andtoreaholeinthetopofthecreature’smouth.Howcouldanythingsurvivesuchpunishment,Felixwondered.

Ithaditsterriblefesteringwound.Ithadahugeholerippedinitschest.Ithadanarrowstickingfrom its eye. It had blood seeping from its ankle where Gotrek had hamstrung it. And yet it stillrefusedtodie.Itlashedaroundinafrenzy.Itstailcrackedtheairlikeawhip.Itswingsdrummedlikethunder. It lashed outwith a claw thatwould have flattenedMalakai like a swatted fly, had not theengineer thrownhimself flatbelowit.As thedragonroseforanotherblow,FelixsawtheflattenedformofStegwasstillattachedtoitschest.Hispickwasdrivenbetweenthecreature’sscales,andevenindeathhishandstillclutchedtheweapon’sshaft.Theforceoftheimpacthadembeddedbitsofgoldinhisskinandarmour.Indeath,heglittered.

Gotrek’swarcryrangoutandFelixsawthattheSlayerwasatthedragon’srear,choppingatitstailwiththeaxe.Eachblowcarvedgreatchunksoutofthedragon’sflesh.Snorrihadjoinedthefrayand battered away with axe and hammer. Felix could not see whether his blows were having anyeffect.

AflashofgoldlighttoldFelixthatMaxhadcastaspell.Aboltofuncannypowerflashedatthedragon’sothereye.Theeyeballsizzledandpoppedandnowthedragonwasblinded.Grimmeracedforward as its head swooped low, and ran almost into the creature’smouth.His hammer smashedthroughagreatarc,andpulpedscaleandfleshbeneathit.

Thedragonbreathed,andevenfromwherehestoodFelixcouldfeeltheheat.Grimmewastooclosetoitssourceforanyprotectivespelltointervene:Hisarmourandhaircaughtalight.Hiscrestbecameasizzlingflame.Hisfleshblackenedandthenranlikeliquid,sofiercewastheheat.Hedidnot even have time to scream, then hewas gone. The dragon sprawled forward on all fours oncemore,emittingthefieryjetatitstormentors.

Outrage flaredwithinFelix’sbrainat thesightof thishorribledeath.The flamescontinued toflickeroutwards,scouringtheledgesonwhichtheKislevitesstood.Max’smagicalbarrierflickeredbut held, but Felix could see that itwas starting to collapse.He had no idea howmuch longer thewizard could hold it for. Once the shimmering spell shield went down, Ulrika and Max and thearcherswouldsufferthesamefateasGrimme.JustthethoughtofthathappeningtriggeredsomethingwithinFelix’sbrain.Power flowedoutof thesword.Withoutevenrealisingwhathewasdoing,hefoundhimselfrunningforwardtowardsthemightybeast.Hispathtookhimupapileoftreasureandaflyingleaptookhimrightontopofthedragon’sskull.

Iftheblindeddragonfelthispresenceitgavenosign.Hestooduprightatopitshead.Theruneson the blade blazed bright with deadlymagic. He summoned all his strength and drove the bladedownwards,evenashefeltthedragonrearupbeneathhim.

Thedeadlyspellswovenintoitbyitsancientcreatorsenabledthebladetopassthroughscaleandflesh.Therewasresistanceastheenchantedsteelmetthebonesoftheskull.Felixleanedforwardwithallhisweight.Thebladetwistedinhishands,aidinghim.Inamoment,theweaponwasthroughanditsdeadlyruneswerelodgedinthedragon’sbrain.

The dragongave one last deadly bellow, and itswhole body spasmed reflexively. Felix felt a

sickening sense of acceleration as its neck uncoiled and the ground receded below him. He wasalmostthrownclear.Knowingthedropwouldkillhim,Felixheldontotheembeddedbladewithallhisstrength.Thenthedragonbegantotopplebackwards.

Thiswasnotsuchagoodidea,thoughtFelix,asthegroundrosetomeethimoncemore.

TWELVE

THEBATTLEFelixfell.Heknewthathehadmomentstolive.Therewasnothinginhismindsavefearandasicksenseofvertigoashedropped.Nonoblethoughts.Nolastmemoriesoflife.Justthethoughtthathehad made an error. One strange image burned itself into his brain. The sorcerous sphere stillfollowedhim,keepingpaceeffortlessly.Itoccurredtohimthatperhapshecouldreachoutandgrabit.Themagicthatallowedittoflymightslowhisfall.

Desperatelyhegrabbedforit,butitremainedoutofhisreach.Hisswordfellfromhishands.Hetwisted desperately, strainingwith every fibre of his being to grab the light but it eluded him.Hecursedandthentherewastheimpact.

Deathwasnotquitewhatheexpected.Therewaspain.Therewasdarkness.Therewasasenseofairbeingexpelled fromhis lungs.Therewasasenseofbeingpusheddownwardsbyanenormousforce.Hewas not sure though that he should feel quite sowet.Blood, he thought irrationally.Hisbodyhadsplitopenonimpact.Thatwasthewetnesshefelt.

Thenthewetstufffilledhismouthandstartedtotrickledownhisthroat.Hecouldnotbreathe.Iamnotdeadyetthen,hethought.MaybemylungsarefillingwithbloodlikethosepoordevilsI

sawdyingofpoisongasinNuln.Panicfilledhim.Thiswasworsethananightmare.Itwashorribleknowingthatthesewerehis

lastfewsecondsoflifeandthattherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.Then he noticed there were bubbles all around him. The light was still above him. Was he

hallucinating,hewondered?Instinctivelyhegraspedthatsomethingimportantwasgoingonhere.Hehadmissedsomething.Then itcame tohim.Hewasnotdead.Hewas inwater.Hemusthavebeencatapultedintothepoolatthefarendofthecavebytheforceofthedragon’slastspasm.Therewasstill a chance that he might live. He breathed out, expelling the water from his mouth, tryingdesperatelynottobreatheanymorein.

But itwas only a chance, he realised. The force pushing him downwas not a product of hisimagination.Itwasthepressurefromthetonsofwaterfallingintothepool,drivinghimdownwardswith enormous force.He triedkickingupwardsbut itwasuseless.Therewasnothinghe coulddoagainstsuchpower.

Foramomenthefeltdespair.Hehadmerelyexchangedonedeathforanother.Hewasnotgoingtobekilledbythemonsterorbythefall,hewasgoingtodrown.Hislungswerealmostempty.Initsneedforair,hisdesperatebodysoughttobetrayhim.Ittookahugeeffortnottobreatheinthewater.

Fierceresolutionfilledhim.Hehadnotcomesofarandsurvivedanencounterwithadragoninorder to be killed by a waterfall. There had to be something he could do. He relaxed and let thepressuredrivehimdownwards.Hisfacehitrock.Hismouthalmostopenedreflexivelytoscreambuthehelditshutbyforceofwill.Hislungsfeltliketheywerebursting.

Becalm,hetoldhimself.Think.Henoticedthathewasstartingtodrifttooneside.Thecurrenthad hit the rocky floor of the pool and was being deflected. He allowed it to carry him, and thepressurefromaboveeased.

Darknesshoveredattheedgeofhisvision.Hewasonthevergeofblackingout.Justkeepgoing,hetoldhimself.Don’tgiveup.Theworstispast.

Hestruckout for thesurfaceandnoticed that theglowingspherestill followedhim.Thatwasgood;itgavehimsomelighttoseeby.

His chainmail shirt felt like itwasmadeof lead.Theweight of it tugged at him, pulling himdown. He considered stopping and trying to pull it off, but knew that he would just be wastingprecioustimeandair.Hehadtokeepgoing.

Strokebystroke,withalltheeffortofamanpullinghimselfupamountainside,Felixswamforthe surface.His limbs felt like lead.Hecouldbarely see.His lungswereabout toexplode.Stillheswamonwardsandupwards.Untilat last, justashewascertainhecouldendurenomore,hisheadbrokethesurface,andhebreathedinalungfulofpurefreshair.Hewascertainhehadnevertastedanythingsosweet.Felixpulledhimselfovertheedgeofthepool.Waterpuddledathisfeet.Hisclothesweresodden.Hesaw that the dwarfs and Ulrika were running towards him. Despite the age he felt he had beenunderwater,herealisedthatonlymomentshadpassedsincehekilledthedragon.Itshugecorpselayfloppingandtwitchingonthegroundnearby,itsmovementsscatteringgoldcoinseverywhere.

Ulrika raced up. Tears streamed down her face. “I thought you were dead,” she said as sheembracedhim.

“IfeellikeIoughttobe,”hemurmured,pullinghercloseandfeelingthewarmweightofherbodyagainsthis.

Thedwarfsgatheredroundtocongratulatehim.“Aye,well,we’rerich,”saidMalakai,lookingatthedragon’shoard.

“Exceptthatwecan’tcarrymorethanasmallpartofthistreasure,”Maxsaid.“And there’s a small armyof greenskins outside,”Ulli said. “What arewegoing to do about

them?”“Killthem,”Gotreksaid.“Ordietrying.We’vefailedtoachieveourdoomshere.Thegodshave

provideduswithanother.”“I’vehadenoughofseekingdeathforoneday”Felixsaid.“You’readragonslayernow,”Bjornisaid.“Surelyyou’renotscaredofafewgreenskins.”“Iwouldliketolivetoenjoymytriumph,”Felixsaidsourly.Helookedaround.OlegandStandawerestillwiththem,andmoreorlessunmarked.Gotrekand

Snorri appeared unharmed. Ulli looked almost exultant having survived his encounter withSkjalandir.Bjornicontemplatedthedragon’shoardinwonder.

Theircasualtieshadbeensurprisinglyfew.Theyhadbeenverylucky.Varekhaddonethemmoreofafavourthantheyhadeverguessedwhenhegavehislifetodrive

thedragonoff.Thewoundhehadinflictedonithadweakenedthemonsterenoughforthemtokillit.Ifanyonedeservedthetitle“dragonslayer”itwasVarek.

He walked over and picked up his sword. It no longer felt particularly magical. All powerseemedgonefromit.Itwasjustafinebladeoncemore.Nohintofitsfellpurposeremained.

Still,itwasagoodweapon,andhewasusedtoit.Hestuckitbackinitsscabbard.Felixwonderedifheshouldsuggestburyingthedead,butStegwaslostbeneaththebodyofthe

fallendragonandGrimmewascharredtoacrisp.Ithardlyseemedworththeeffort.Particularlysincetheorcsmightsoonbearriving.Hementionedthistotheothers.

“Perhapswecanfindanotherwayout,”suggestedMax.“Thesetunnelsmustleadsomewhere.”“Theymightbeanendlessmaze,”Ulrikasaid.“Wecouldgetlostandwandertillwedie.”“Nodwarfevergotlostunderground,”Bjornisaid.TheotherSlayersnoddedtheiragreement.“Bethatasitmay,”Felixsaid,“theremightnotbeanotherwayout.”“Themanlinghas the rightof it,”Gotrek said. “Andwhat’smore, noSlayer ever ran froma

massofgoblins.”

Thinking of the less than totally courageous behaviour exhibited by some of their company,Felixwonderedifthatweretrue.Nowdidnotseemlikeagoodtimetoairhisdoubtshowever.Insteadhesaid,“Whatarewegoingtodo?”

“Snorrithinksweshouldgouptothesurfaceandkillthem,”saidSnorriNosebiter.Are thesemaniacs really going to talk us all into going up to the surface and getting killed,

wonderedFelix?Itseemedalltoolikely.“Whatif theykillusall?”Maxasked.“Areyoureallygoingtoleaveall thistreasureherefor

themtotake?”Thankyou,Max,thoughtFelix.Youjustmentionedtheonlythingthatmightinfluenceagangof

dwarfSlayersinasituationlikethis.“Theywillnotpassus,”saidSnorri.“Weshallstandonawallofcorpsesandthrowthemback!”“Let’s justassumeyoudon’t,”Maxsaid.“Allof this treasurewillgo toenrich theorcs.They

coulduseittobuyweapons,andattackdwarflands.”“Nodwarfwouldeversellthemweapons.”“Alas,somehumansmight,”saidMax.Thedwarfsnoddedtheirheadssagelyatthethoughtof

suchhumantreachery.“You hae a point,” saidMalakai. “If ah had some blastin’ pooder ah could rig this ceilin’ tae

collapse.Butahdinnae!”“Ibroughtasackofyourbombsfromthecart,”Ullisaid.“Guid lad!” saidMalakai beaming broadly. The smile faded just as quickly as the thought of

someonefumblingaroundamongsthistreasuresoccurredtohim.Felixcouldreaditonhisface.“It’sabitearlytobethinkingofsuchthings,”Bjornisaid.“Surelyweshouldheaduptothecave

mouthandtakealook.”“Bestbecareful,then,”Maxsaid.“WhiletheythinkthedragonisstillaliveIdoubtthattheywill

comein.Iftheyseeyouupthere,theymightthinkwekilledit,andcomelookingforus.”“Butwedidkillthedragon,”saidSnorri,obviouslyconfused.“Wewill all head up,” Gotrek said. “ExceptMalakai andUlli. You can stay here and rig the

tunneltoblow.”“Rightyeare,”Malakaisaidcheerfully.WhydoIthinkthisisgoingtoendindisaster,thoughtFelix,ashesquelchedbackupthetunnel,

shiveringinhissoddenclothes?Felixcrawledforwardtothelipofthecavemouth.Ulrikacrawledalongsidehim.Thetwoofthemhadbeenselectedsincetheyhadthebesteyesight.Maxhaddousedhislightspellsothatitwouldnotattractattentiontothem.

Thestonewaswetandcoldunderhishands.Felixwishedhehadsomethingdry towear.Themisthadclearedaway;abrightsunbeamedcheerfullydown.Carefullyhepokedhisheadforwardandgazeddownintothevalley.Onelooktoldhimtheworsthadhappened.

Insteadofonearmy,thereweretwo.Ononesideofthevalleywasahordeoforcsandgoblins.Theyweredrawnup in crudebattle formation.Massiveorcs stood in the centre armedwith crudescimitarsandround,spike-bossedshields.Massesofgoblinarchersscuttledaboutbetweentheranks.Offtoonesideweresomeorcridersmountedonhugebattleboars.Theirgruntsandsquealswereaudible up the valley. A strange device had been set up on the brow of the hill. It resembled thecatapultsthatFelixhadusedasaboy,onlyitwaslargeenoughtothrowaboulderratherthanasmallstone.Besideitwereseveraloddlyattiredgoblins,wearingpointedspikedhelmets,flappingoddbat-wingedattachmentsfixedtotheirarms.Spiderridersscuttledalongthebrowofthehill.Onthebackofonewasmountedwhatmustbesomesortofshaman.Hebrandishedaskull-tippedstaffintheair

and chanted encouragement to his troops. The greenskin forcemust be almost a thousand strong,Felix realised.Hewasglad theSlayershadnotsimply rushedout tomeet it.Therewere toomanygreenskinsdownthereforthemtoovercome.

Facingtheorcsacrossthevalleywerehundredsofarmedmen.Therewereranksofhalberdiers,androwsuponrowsofcrossbow-men.Oneortwooftheleadersweremountedonhorseback.Thereweresomewildhighlanderswithmassivetwo-handedswords.Noneofthemenwerewellarmouredbut theyweremuchbetterdisciplined than theorcs.Even if theywereoutnumbered theystillhadachance.Particularlyiftheyheldthehighground,Felixthought,andletthegreenskinscomeatthem.

Thismust be the bandit army ofHenrikRichter, Felix realised.What had brought him here?Whatstrangechancehadcausedthesetwoforcestomeetoutsidethedragon’scave?

HeheardUlrikagasp.“Lookthere!Totherightofthehumanarmy,”shewhispered.Felixinstantlysawwhatshemeant.HerecognisedthefigureofJohanGatz,theminstrel.Felix

felt his suspicions had been justified. The man had been a spy for the bandits. They must havefollowedus.Botharmiesmusthave.Theorcsprobablywantedrevengefortheslaughterwewreaked.Themenprobablycametoseeiftheycouldhijackthetreasure,ifweslewthedragon.

Butwhyweretheydrawnupinbattlearraynow,andwhatweretheywaitingfor?Johan Gatz cursed. This was not going according to plan. Henrik had assembled the army andbroughtitherealongthehighmountainpassesashehadasked.Thescoutsthatalwayswatchedforsignofthedragonstirringhadseennothingofitsinceithadflownbackfromthenorthwelloveraweekago.Oneofthemwhohadwitnesseditsarrivalhadevenclaimeditlookedwounded.Thatfittedwith the story the dwarfs had told him. The same men had seen the dwarfs enter the caves thismorning, and they had yet to comeout.Hewondered if they had actually succeeded in killing thebeast.Itseemedunlikely—thevalleywaslitteredwiththebonesofthosewhohadtried,buttherehadbeensomethingaboutthatbunchwhichhadcompelledhimtothinktheymightdoit.

EithertheywerethemostconvincingbraggartsJohanhadeverheard,ortheyweresomethingspecial.Johanknewhimselftobeasoundjudgeofcharacter,andtheyhadconvincedhim.Morethanthat,thenamesofGotrekGurnissonandFelixJaegerwerenotunfamiliartohim.Onhistravelshehadheardtalesofapairansweringto theirdescription,andifevena tenthpartof thosetalesweretrue,theywerenotpeopletotakelightly.Someoftheladshadseentheairshippassoverthevalleystoo,sothathadconfirmedtheirstoryoftheSpiritofGrungni.Allinall,hehadjudgeditworthtakingthechanceofbringingthewholegangheretorobthemofthetreasureiftheyshouldmanagetokillSkjalandir.Henrikhadthoughtitworththerisktoo.

What theyhadnot countedonwas theorcscomingupwith the sameplan, andbeing thereaswell.Theideahadbeentolielowandwaitandseewhetherthedwarfscameoutofthecaves.Thathadgoneoutthewindowwhenthegreenskinswerespotted.Thetroopshadmusteredinplainsight.Therewas too much bad blood between men and orcs for either side to do differently. It was sheereststupidityandbadluck,Johanthought.

If theyhadknowntheorcsweregoingtodothis, theycouldhavelet thegreenskinsattacktheSlayersandthenambushedthemafterwards.ButalltheyhadgottenwerereportsoforcsshadowingtheSlayers en route, and theydid that to every caravan they spotted going through themountains.Whowouldhaveguessedtheywouldassembletheirwholeforce?Nowtheyallstoodintheopenlikeidiots,neithersidewillingtobackdowninfrontoftheother.Johanshudderedtothinkofwhatmighthappenifthedwarfsdidnotkillthedragon,anditemergedfromthecave.Maybetherewereenoughwarriorsassembledheretokillthebeast.Eveniftherewere,thecasualtieswouldbeappalling.Johanconsideredleggingit,buttherewasnowayhecouldslipawaywithoutbeingnoticed.

Whatcouldhavegottenthegreenskinssostirredup,hewondered?

Ugrek Manflayer glared across at the hated human foes. For the hundredth time he consideredorderinghiswarriors tocharge. Itwouldbegood to feelhumanblood flowandhuman fleshpartunder his blade. It would be good to break bones and crack skulls. It would be good to kill, hethought.Theneedtogiveintohisviolentnaturewasalmostoverwhelming.Almost.

Ugrekhadnotrisentobebossofall theorctribesoftheBigMountainsbygivingwaytohisimpulses. By orc standards he possessed a great deal of patience and somuch cunning that somesuspected him of having goblin blood. If anyone still harboured those suspicions they no longergrunted them; he had killed and eaten all those who had muttered such things. He pushed thedistractingmemories to thebackofhismind.Heneeded to think.Therewasalways thepossibilitythattheshaman’sdreamswerewrong,andthedwarfsmightnotsucceedinkillingthebeast.Heknewthatifthedragonemergedfromitslair,itwouldnotdoforhisladsandthepinkskinstoberucking.That would make them all easy meat for the monster, and Ugrek had no intention of providinganybodywithamealanytimesoon.

Andiftheshamanwasright,thenthedwarfwiththebigaxewouldsooncomeout.EversincehehadheardGrund’stalesoftheslaughterthedwarfhadwreakedwiththatblade,Ugrekhadknownitmustbehis.Withsuchaweapon,andthedragon’streasure,hecouldforgeahordethatwouldsweepthroughthehumanlandslikeanavalanche.orcswouldmusterfromacrossthelandtofollowhim,andkillandlootinhisname.

Itannoyedhimthatthesehumanshadgotinthewayofhisdestiny.Itannoyedhimsomuchthathealmostgave theorder toattackanyway.Justbad luck that theywerehere,he thought.Theirbadluck.Moremeatforhistroops,hethought.Thatmadehimwonderwhatdragonfleshtastedlike.Heguessedhewouldfindoutsoonenoughiftheshaman’sdreamsweretrue.

Theyalwayshadbeeninthepast.Whynotthistime?“Whatarewegoingtodo?”askedFelix.Hisexplanationof thesituationoutsidehadnotbeenwellreceived.TheSlayersweresilent.Maxlookedthoughtful.TheKisleviteslookedworried.

“Ifwewaittherewillbeabattle,”Maxsaid.“Idon’tseehowitcanbeavoided.”“Maybethey’llsendscoutstoinvestigatethecaves,”suggestedUlrika.“It’sonlyamatteroftime

beforeonesideortheotherplucksupthecouragetoinvestigate.”“Ineithercase,ourgooseiscooked,”Felixsaid.“Theredoesn’tseemtobeanywayout,unless

wewaitforthebattleandtrytosneakawaythen.”“Iwillnotsneakaway,manling,”Gotreksaid.“Ifthere’sabattle,Snorriwantstobepartofit,”addedSnorriNosebiter.“Isuspectyou’llgetyourwish,”Felixsaid.“Everybody has to die sometime,” said Ulli. He seemed to have acquired the proper Slayer

attitudeofbrutestubbornstupiditysincethefightwiththedragon.Eitherthatorhewasinshock.“Iwashopingtodiealongtimefromnowinmybed,”Felixsaid.“Iwanted todie inbedonce too. Identical twins itwas,” saidBjorni. “I thoughtnothingcould

improveonthat.”Theotherdwarfslookedathimindisgust.“You’realljustjealous,”hesaideventually.“Enoughofthis,”Gotreksaid.“It’stimeforanending.”Hestrodeuptothemouthofthecaveandraisedhisaxeabovehishead,holdingtheshaftinboth

hands.“We’vekilledthedragon!”heshouted.“Ifyouwantitstreasure,you’regoingtohavetogetit

overmydeadbody.”Foramoment,allwassilencethentherewasaroarofvoices.AmomentafterthatGotrekleapt

backasahailofarrows raineddownwherehestood.Felixnoticed that somewereblack-fletched,

somewhite.Hewonderedwhichhadbeenfiredbyhumans,whichbyorcs.“Isupposebeingpin-cushionedwitharrowsisnodeathforaSlayer,”Felixsaid.Gotrekglared

athim.“You’llseewhatisasuitabledeathforaSlayersoonenough,manling.”“Ifearyouarecorrect,”Felixsaidandreadiedhisblade.

“That’s torn it,”muttered JohanGatz, perching himself on one of the boulders strewn across thehillside.Thedwarfs’appearancehadthrowntheorcsintoturmoil.Theleadingranksobviouslydidn’tunderstandawordofwhatGotrekhadsaid,buthadcorrectlyassumed theirhereditaryenemywastauntingthem.Theywouldn’thavebeenorcsiftheyhadstoodforthis.ThenearestgreenskinarchersopenedfireontheSlayer.Theclosestunitoforcsbegantolumberupthehill.

WhatsurprisedJohanthemostwasthatsomeofthehumanshadfiredaswell.Thatwasawasteofarrows.Hesupposedtheladsmustbeonedgefromwaiting.Ashoutfromthefrontranksofthehumanstoldhimexactlyhowonedgetheywere.Agroupofhalberdiershadrushedforwardtotaketheorcsmovingtowardsthecaveintheflank.

Itwasthepebblethatstartedanavalanche.Theboarriderschargedstraightatthenearestunitofmen. Hooves churned the thinmountain soil. Enormous droppings spurted from their rear as thecreaturesgrewexcited.Themountainclan’smen,neverthemostdisciplinedofwarriorsandalwayseager to prove their bravery, rusheddownslope.As theydid so, some sort of drug-crazedgoblin,usingachaintoswingamassiveironballalmostaslargeasitwas,brokeoutofthegreenskinranksand ploughed through them. In less than aminute all was a chaos of hacking, chopping, howlingwarriors.

JohanGatzwatchedthem,thinkingthatassoonastheopportunityarose,hewasoutofhere.Felixheardthecrashofweapononweapon,thescreamsofdyingmen,thegutturalchantingoftheorcs,thehowledwarcriesofmen.“WhatinthenameofSigmarisgoingondownthere?”heasked.

“Soundslikeabattle,”Maxsaidsardonically.“Yourpowersofobservationastonishme.”Felixcreptcautiously forward to takea look,mindfulof thearrows thathadalmostskewered

Gotrekearlier.Helookeddownandsawthatthevalleyhaderuptedintoamaelstromofcombat.Manandorcandgoblinwerelockedinbattle.Mostofthehumanunitshadmanagedtorestrainthemselvesfrom charging and held the higher ground against the more numerous orcs and goblins. As hewatchedhesawarankofhalberdiersrepulseachargebyagangofhulkinggreen-skinnedwarriors.Bothsidesweretakingawfulcasualties.Thehumanspursuedtheretreatingorcsandwerethemselvescaught in the flanksbyagangofcrazedgoblinwarriors.EvenasFelixwatched themenvanishedbeneathatideoftinyhumanoidsonlyhalftheirsize.

A strange twanging noise attracted his attention and he glanced over to see one of the oddlygarbedgoblinsclamberingontothegiantcatapult.Thecablewasdrawnbackbyateamofsweatinglackeys, and then suddenly unleashed. The goblin was ejected into the air andwent swooping offtowardsthehumanposition.Itmoveditsbe-wingedarms,asifbelievingitcouldsomehowcontrolitsflight, and screamed ecstatically as it flew. Perhaps it did manage to control its direction, for itdescendedontopofoneofthehumanleaders,impalinghimwiththespikeofitshelmet.Theimpactmust have broken its neck, for it did not rise after that. It was an impressive tribute to either itsfanaticismoritsstupiditythatitwouldgiveitslifelikethat.

SuddenlyothermattersurgentlyrequiredFelix’sattention.Onegroupoforcshadbrokenoutofthegeneralruckandwereracingupthehilltowardshim.Heroseintoacrouchandbackedintothecave.

“They’recoming,”heshouted.

Ugrekspatonthecorpseofhisdeadfoe.Somuchforwaiting,hethought.Somuchforpatience.Somuchforplanning.OneshoutfromthataccurseddwarfandthosestupidBrokenNosebastardshadchargedinlikeorcboysattheirfirstbattle.Hewouldcrackafewheadsandeatafewbrainsforthatoncethisbattlewasdone.Bythegreatgreen-skinnedgods,hewould.Heglancedaround.Itwasn’tallbadtidings.Hethoughtthathisladscouldroutthesehumanseasilyenough.Andthenhewouldhavetheaxeand thedragon’s treasure. Itwasn’tgoing tobe suchabaddayafter all.He shouted tohisbodyguardandbegantomakehiswayacrossthebattlefieldtowardsthemouthofthedragon’scave.

Hewasgoing to take the axe from the stunty’s colddeadhands, he thought.And thenhewasgoingtoeathisfingers.Johan could see the battle was finely balanced. The greenskins had the numbers, and their oddweaponsandtacticsweretakingatoll.Thoseball-wieldingdruggedcrazedfanaticsleftapathofredruinbehindthemuntiltheycollapsedfromexhaustionorgotentangledintheirchains.Theflyershadkilledmore thanonebravehorseman.The sheer strength and ferocityof theorcswas amazing towatch.Hesawone thathad tobe literallyhacked topiecesbefore it stoppedfighting.Theydidnotseemtofeelpainasmendid.

Ontheotherhand,thehumanswerebetterdisciplined.Theyhadmostlymanagedtokeeptotheirranksandholdthehigherground.Thecrossbowmenweretakingaheavytollonthelightlyarmouredorcsandgoblins.Evenafewofthosehorridgiantspidershadfallentothem.Ifonlytheyhadafewcannons or even one of those organ guns.Or a squadron of heavy cavalry.With one charge theycould have broken the orc ranks. Might as well wish for Sigmar to arrive with the host of therighteousdead,Johanthought.Theydidnothaveanyknights.Theywerejustgoingtohavetowinwithwhattheyhad.

Hewasn’tcertainthiswaspossible.Atleastsomeoftheorcsweredistractedbyattemptingtogetatthedwarfsinthecave.Anditlookedliketheorcchieftain,thegreatUgrekhimself,wastryingtocuthiswayupthere.Johandecidedthathewouldn’twanttobeuptherewhentheManflayerarrived.Notforallthegoldinthedragon’shoard.Felix chopped down the last orc. He was breathing hard, and blood mingled with the water thatsaturated his clothes. Some of it was his own. He glanced around the cavemouth. Dead orcs layeverywhere.GotrekandSnorrihaddonetheirusualbloodywork.Betweenthemtheymusthaveputpaidtoatleasttenofthegreen-skins.Fivelayblastedandsmoking,atestimonytothedeadlinessofMaxSchreiber ’smagic.Threemorelaywitharrowssproutingfromtheirbreasts.Felixhimselfhadaccountedforthree.Heguessedtheothershadkilledaboutadozen.

Theyhadtakencasualtiesthemselves.Standawasdead,hisskullsplitbyanorcscimitar.Bjornihadtakenanastywound.FelixwatchedMaxmuttersomekindofhealingspellthatknittedthefleshtogether,thenwrapatornpieceofhiscloakaroundit.Bjornilookedaspaleasacorpse;hehadlostalotofblood.UlrikaandOlegmovedamongthebodies,retrievingarrowstoreplenishtheirquivers.

Aboutthirtydeadorcs,heestimated.Itwasn’tenough.Therewerehundredsmoregreenskinsoutthere, and almost as many desperate men, all of whom would doubtless want their share of thedragon’streasure.Maybethatwastheanswer.Maybetheyshouldoffertosplititwiththehumansinreturnfortheirassistance.Goodidea,hethought.Nowallhehadtodowasgetittothehumanleader.Andthenwaitfortheinevitabletreacheryiftheysurvivedthefight.

Footsteps sounded from behind them. He sawMalakai andUlli coming up the corridor. Theengineerwasbentalmostdouble.Inonehandheheldablackbomb.Hewasdribblingpowderfromitontotheground.Felixknewwhathewasdoing.Asparkwouldignitethatpowder.Thepowderwouldactasafuse.Thefusewoulddetonatewhatevercacheofexplosivestheyhadleftbackthere.

“It’sdin,”saidMalakai.“Blackpowder ’sinplace.Ifitlooksliketheorcsaregoingtoover-run

us,ah’llsetfiretaethispooder,an’boomthewholetunnelcomesdoon.Thenlet’sseethemgetthedragon’streasurewieawholemountaino’rockontapo’it.”

Felixshivered.Hehoped itwouldnotcome to this. If itdid, itwouldmean thatheandUlrikawouldbedeadalongwithalltherestofthem.Itwasnotareassuringthought.Hewalkedovertothewoman.Itwastimeforthemtotalk.Ugrek chopped down another human, thumped one of his own bodyguards who had accidentallyblunderedintohim,andcontinuedtohewhiswayupthehill.Hismightybladedrippedwithblood.Hisaxewassmearedwithgore.Hebellowedinstructionsandencouragementtohisfollowers,certainthat victorywould soon be his.Heartened by his presence the lads fought onwith redoubled fury,cuttingdownthepinkskinsbythedozen.Ugrekcouldsmellvictory.Johanduckedbackbehindtherock.Arandomarrowhadcomeclosetoendinghislifeandhedidnotfeellikeexposinghimselftodeathatthemoment.Heglancedupandtohisastonishmentsawatinygoblin,hiseyesglazedinsomesortoftrance,goflyingoverhead.Fromitsarmsextendedsomesortof bat-like artificialwings.On its headwas a sharp spikedhelmet. Johan could have sworn itwasshouting:“Wheee!”

Thiswasmadness,he thought.Theorcsweremad, thegoblinsweremad,his comradesweremadandhewasmadforstayingherewhenhecouldberunning.Unfortunatelyhefoundthewholescenedreadfullyfascinating.

Offatthevalleymouthtwounitsoforcshadblunderedintoeachotherintheireagernesstogetatthemen.Nowtheyfoughteachotherwiththesameferocioussavagerytheyhadwantedtoventontheirhumanfoes.Maybetheywerefromdifferenttribesorclans,Johanthought.

Ormaybe itwas truewhathehadheard:whenanorc’sbattle lustwasup, itwould fightwithanyone.

Achangerippledoverthebattlefield.Hesensedarcanepowersatwork.Hishairstoodonend.Somethingdrewhiseyetothegoblinshamanthewayironfilingsweredrawntoamagnet.

Theshaman’scloakbillowedbehindhim.Hisspiderhadreared,raisingitsfourforelegsasifinsalute.Ayellowglowblazedfromthegoblin’seyes.Aswirlinggreenlightflickeredontheendofitsstaff.Streamersofgreenishectoplasmswirledoutwardsfromitstip.Whenthemagicenergytouchedan orc or a goblin, the recipient’s eyes glowed reddishly, theirmuscles swelled like great cables,foameruptedfromtheirmouthandtheyfoughtlikeberserkers.Ateachpointthishappenedthebattlestartedtoturnagainstthehumans.

Perhapstheshaman’suncannypowerswouldturnthetide,Johanthought.“Magicisbeingunleashedonthebattlefield,”Maxsaid.“Ithinktheshamanhasinvokedthepoweroftheorcgods.”

“I wish the gods would aid us,” muttered Felix, surveying the rent in his chainmail and theagonisingredcutonhissidethewizardwashealing.Goldenlightflowedfromthemage’shand,andwhereittouchedhisbodytheareafirstwentextremelyhotandthennumbinglycold.IttookallFelix’swillpower to keep from screaming. After amoment, the chill passed and sank to a dull ache. Helookeddownandsawtheflapofskinpeeledawaybyanorcscimitarblowhadknittedtogether.Hecouldstillremembertheagonisingpainandthesatisfiedlookonthefaceoftheorcwhohadchoppedathim.Hehadturnedjusttoolatetoparrythestroke.Hisownblowhadbeheadedhisattacker.Ithadgivenhimacertainsatisfactionknowingthathehadkilledthebrutehethoughthadkilledhim.Itwasamiraclehehadnotbeenkilled.HehadmanagedtokeepfightinguntilthegreenskinswererepelledandMaxcouldhealhim.

“Thegodsgaveuscouragetostandourground,manling,andweaponstocleaveourfoes.Whatelsedoweneed?”Gotreksaid.

“AnarmyofSigmariteTemplarswouldbegood,”Felix said. “I prefermydivine aid to taketangibleform.”

Gotrekmerely grunted and returned his attention to the cavemouth. Snorri stood at the edgegazingdown.

“Goodfightcoming,”hesaid.“Somebigorcsandashamanonaspider.ThespiderisSnorri’s.”“Youcanhavehim,”Gotreksaid.“Thechieftainismine.”Bjornishookhishead.“Iheardsomewherethatfemalespiderseat theirpartnerswhenmating.

I’vemetsomewomenwhodidthattoo.”“Don’tyoueverthinkofanythingelse?”Ulliasked.“OnlywhenI’mfighting,”Bjornisaid.“Andsometimesnoteventhen.”Maxfinishedhisspell.Felixthankedhimandstoodup.“You’llfeelrealpaininafewhours,butthespellshouldkeepyougoingtillthen.Youwon’tbe

upformuchfightingthough.Unless…”FelixknewwhatMaxwasthinking.Unlesstheorcsswarmin,andI’llhavetofightanyway.Ina

fewhours itwouldn’tmatter since theywouldbedead anyway.The lastwavehad leftOlegdyingslowlyfromastomachwoundthatnotevenMax’smagiccouldcure.Thatcouldsoeasilyhavebeenme,hethought.If theorc’sblowhadslightlymorepowerbehindit.Ifmymailhadnotdeflecteditjustenough.

Theman’sgroansandprayersfilledthechamber,andworkedonFelix’snerveslikepoison.Itwouldbeamercytokillhim,hethought,andamercytotherestofustosilencehim.

Heshivered.HewasbecomingasbadasGotrekandtherestofthedwarfs.Worse.Noneofthemwouldhavesuggestedsuchathing.

PainfullyhewentovertowhereUlrikasatbesidethedyingman,holdinghishand.Henoticedthatbothofthemweresilentnow.Oleg’sskinlookedwaxy.Hismoustachedrooped.Asmallamountofbloodtrickledfromthecornerofhismouth.

“IsthereanythingIcando?”heasked.“Nothing,”shesaidsoftly.“Heisdead.”SuddenlyFelixfeltterriblyguilty.

Ugrekledtheladsrightupthehill.HechoppeddownafewoftheBrokenNosesthatwereinhisway,justtoteachthemnottodoitagain,andhaltedtwentystridesawayfromthecavemouth.Heturnedforamomenttolookback,andsawwithsomesatisfactionthathisladswereabouttowinthebattle.Theshaman’smagichadhelped.Filledwith thespiritof thegods,hiswarriorswere fightingas ifpossessed.

ThespiderhadborneitsmysticmasterallthewaytowhereUgrekstood.Noonehadinterferedwith it. It regardedUgrekwithbeady intelligentmaligneyes,and thewarbosswonderedwhether itwastrue,andIxixhadboundthespiritofhisformershamanicmasterintoit.Notthatitmattered.Ifhegave Ugrek any lip, he would die like anyone else. The shaman was gibbering and pointing atsomethingexcitedly.Ugreklookedtoseewhatitwas.

Inthedistancehesawasmalldotapproaching.Fromitssize,hewouldhavethoughtitwasthedragon,butthedwarfsclaimedtohavekilledit.Itwouldbejustlikeastuntytolieaboutsuchathing,andletthedragonescapebyanotherexit.Itwastoolatetoworryaboutsuchthingsnow,hedecided.

“Right,lads,”hebellowed.“Intothecave.Killthestunties.Grabthetreasure.Leavetheaxeforme!”

Havingexplainedhisplan,heimplementeditinstantly.Felixwatchedtheinexorabletideofgreenskinsrollupthehillandknewhewasgoingtodie.Thesewere the largest, fiercest orcs he had ever seen, and their leadermade them lookweak andmild-

mannered.Hewashuge,halfagainasbigasanormalorc,andheboreacleaverinonehand,andanaxeintheother.Hiscloakofmanskinbillowedbehindhim.Histusksdrippedwithsaliva.Hisvoiceboomedoutover thebattle.Felixnoticed thathewas lookingbackat somethingand looked toseewhatitwas.

Frombesidehim,heheardUlrikagasp.“Itlookslikewemightbesaved.”“Aye,ifwecanholdonlongenough,”hesaidsourly.“Whosaidanythingaboutholdingon?”Gotrekasked.“Isaywecharge!”“Snorriagrees,”saidSnorriNosebiter.“Snorriisgoingtokillthatspider.”TheSlayersplungeddownhilltomeettheastonishedorcs.Therewasamightycrashasweapons

metandthekillingbecamefastandfurious.Johanfeltashadowfallonhim,andlookedup.Wasthismoregoblinsorcery,hewondered,seeingthevastshapethatfilledtheskyoverhead?No.Itdidnotlooklikegreenskinworkalthoughtherewascertainlypowerfulmagichere.Totellthetruth,itlookedmorelikedwarfwork.IthadrunesonthesideanditflewthebannersoftheSlayerKing.

This must be the airship the Slayers had told him about, Johan realised. It was certainlyimpressive.Evenashewatched,splutteringblackbombsbegan tofall into themiddleof thebattle.Theexplosionstorethroughgreenskinandhumanranksindiscriminately.Judgingfromthewaytheyfell,thedwarfsweretryingtoaimfortheorcsandgoblins,butnotveryhard.Itwasanimpossibletaskanyway.Thetwosidesweretoointermingledforanysortofprecisionshooting.

Aroaringnoiseannouncedtheentryofanotherdwarfweaponintothebattle.Fromturretsontheundersideofthecupola,gatlingcannonsroaredtolife.Shellsrippedmanandgoblinapartwithease.Johanhadseenenough.Itwastimetobegoing.Maybehecouldgrabahorse.The soundof explosions and the roar of gatling cannons toldFelix that theSpirit ofGrungniwasdoing its bloody work. His prayer had been answered, it seemed. The dwarfs must have finishedrepairingtheairshipandcomelookingforthem.Judgingbythenewweaponsbristlingonitssides,theyhadcomeprepared to fight thedragon too.Felixknew thateven ifhediedhere,hewouldbeavenged.

Screamsfromnearbydrewhisattentionbacktothemelee.HewatchedasGotrektorethroughUgrekManflayer ’sbodyguard.Thedwarfkilledafoewitheverystroke.Snorriwasrightbesidehim.Truetohiswordhewasaimingforthespideranditsrider.Felixwantedtorushdownintothemeleeandaidthem,buthewastiredandthepainofhiswoundwouldmakeit impossibletofight.No,hewouldstayhereandrecordGotrek’sdoomifitcametohim,andhopethattheairshiparrivedintime.

Snorri had reached the spider now. It came for him, hugemandibles dripping poison. Snorriduckeditsbite,rolledunderitsbelly,andchoppedupwards.Felixheardthespider ’sevilscreamandwatched it sag in themiddle. Snorri rolled out from behind it and lashed out at its rider, but theshamanleaptfromhisseattoavoidtheblow,andscuttledaway.Powerfulhemightbe,buthedidnothavethenervetofacetheSlayer.

Ulrikacalmlynockedherbowandfired,nockedherbowandfired.Witheveryshotanorcfell.The death of her bodyguards seemed to have goaded her into a calm, silent killing rage.Malakaistoodnexttoher,hisrockettubeoverhisshoulder.Hetookcarefulaimandpulledthetrigger.Sparksflewfromtherearofthetubeandtherocketwhizzedforthtearingthroughtheorcranks,killinghalfadozen.Malakaithrewdownhisweapon.

“Last rocket,”heexplained,unslinginghisportablegatlingcannonandstarting toblazeaway.BjorniandUlli foughtback tobackagainst thehugeorcs.Theyused theiropponents’ sizeagainstthemexpertly,duckingbetweenlegs,movingthroughthepressofbodies,hackingandchoppingas

theywent.Felixfeltuselessandwishedhecouldjoinin.ThenhesawthatGotrekhadfoughthiswaytotheorcchieftain.Ugrekconfrontedthedwarfwiththeaxe.Good.Itsavedhimhuntingthestuntydownandkillinghim.Hebellowedachallengeandglareddownatthedwarf.SurprisinglytheSlayerdidnotflinch,whichwasunusual.Ugrekhadnevermetanythingontwolegsthatdidnotbackawaywhenconfrontedbyhismassiveform.Thismadehimslightlyuneasy.Stillitdidnotmatter.Hewastwicethedwarf’ssizeand three times hisweight.Hewas the toughest orcwhohad ever lived.Hewasgoing to kill thisstunty.

Helashedoutwithhiscleaver.Surprisingly,thedwarfwasn’tthere.Thatwasunusualtoo.Ugrekknewhewasfastforanorc.Noonehadeverbeenabletomatchhiseye-blurringspeedbefore.Thedwarfstruckback.Thatwasgoodtoo.Ugreklikeditwhenhisfoodputupabitofafight. Itmadethingsmoreinteresting.

Sparksflashedastheirbladesmet.ThepoweroftheSlayer ’sblowtookUgrekoffguard.Hewasdrivenbackbytheforceoftheimpact.Thedwarfwasstrong.Thatwasgoodtoo.Ugrekwouldgainsomeofthatstrengthwhenheatehisheart.Helashedoutwithhisaxe.ThedwarfduckedbeneathitandaimedacounterblowatUgrek’slegs.Ugrekleaptaboveit,andbroughtbothweaponsdownatonce,knowingtherewasnowaythedwarfcouldavoidthemboth.

Thedwarfdidnottry.Instead,heusedhisaxetwo-handedandcaughtbothblowsinthehaftoftheweapon.Theforceoftheimpactdrovehimtohisknees.Herolledbackwardsandaway,comingtohisfeeteasily.Ugrekwasenjoyingthis.AlreadythedwarfhadlastedlongerthananyfoeUgrekhadeverfaced,andhewasshowingnosignsofrunningoutoffight.Ugrekhadalwaysbelievedthatyou couldmeasure an orc by the strength of his enemies, andwhen he killed this Slayer, all orcswouldknowthatUgrekwasmightyindeed.Thethoughtgavehimsomesatisfaction.

Thedwarfcameathim,beardbristling,amadlightinhiseye.HeunleashedahailofblowsatUgrek, each faster and more powerful than the last. It slowly dawned on Ugrek as he parrieddesperately that the dwarf had not really been trying before. Being knocked down by Ugrek hadgoadedhimtomakeamightyeffort.UgrekwasforcedtoadmitthattheSlayerwasalmostasmightyashewas.Thiswasevenbetter.MorethaneverUgreklookedforwardtoeatinghisheart.

Hisarmsacheda little fromparrying thedwarf’sblows. It felt likehishandhadbeennicked.Thiswasunusual.Hehadnevermetafoethathaddonethatbefore.TheSlayeraimedanotherblowathimandUgrekraisedhiscleavertoparry.Atthelastmoment,herealisedhiscleaverwasn’tthere.Infact,hishandwasn’t thereeither.Thepainhehadfeltwasitbeingseparatedfromhiswrist.Bythegods,thataxewassharp.Hemusthaveit,hethought.

It was the last thought to pass through his brain before the axe descended, bringing eternaldarknesswithit.FelixwatchedGotrekfinishtheorcchieftain.Thebodyguardslookedpanicky,theirmoralealreadyunderminedbytheflightoftheshaman,thehavocwreakedbythedwarfs,andthescreamingoftheircomradesbehind them.Afew turnedand lookedback tosee theairship. Itwas the last straw.Theymusthavethoughtthedwarfgodshadcometopunishthem.Firstonethenanotherturnedandbegantoflee.Felixlookeddowntoseethatthebattlehadturnedintoageneralrout.orcsandgoblinsandhumans all intermixed, and no longer fighting, streamed out of the valley in all directions. TherelentlessdeathtollinflictedbytheSpiritofGrungniwastoomuchforthem.

“Idobelievewemightsurvivethis,”FelixsaidtoUlrika,thenwonderedatthelookofhorroronher face.He turned toseewhat shewaspointingat.Astreamof firewasalready receding into thedepths of the mountain. Malakai’s rocket tube lay near at hand. Instantly Felix realised what hadhappened.Asparkfromtheweaponhadignitedthedetonatingpowder.

Couldtheypossiblygetdownthereandputitout,Felixaskedhimself?Heknewhewouldnotbeableto,notinhiswoundedcondition.AndhewouldnotaskMaxorUlrikatotrysomethinghewasnotwillingtodo.Hehadnoideahowpowerfultheexplosivesdowntherewere,orwhatthepossibleconsequencesofanexplosionmightbe.

“We’dbestgetoutofhere,”hesaidandtriedtomoveforwardonlytodiscoverhislegsweren’tworkingproperly.Hefellforwardontohisface.Hiswoundmusthavebeenworsethanhethought.

“Go!”heshouted.“Saveyourselves!”HefelthimselfbeingliftedupbyUlrikaandMaxandtheycarriedhimdowntheslopetowards

thedwarfs.“Prepareyourselves,”heheardMaxsay.“Thetunnel’sabouttogoup!”Asone thedwarfs threwthemselvesflaton theground.Felix felt theearthshake.Therewasa

greatblastoffireandheatfrombehindhim,andthesoundofrockscollapsingandstonegrindingagainststone.

“Theregoesaking’sransom,”heheardUllimutter,thenthesoundofdwarfcursingfilledtheair.

EPILOGUEFelixopenedhiseyesandsaw thesteelceilingof theSpiritofGrungni.BorekandUlrika stoopedoverhim.Hecouldtellbytherockingofthechamberthattheairshipwasinmotion.

“I’malive,then,”hesaid.“Only just,”Borek said. Thewrinkles of his ancient face crinkled benevolently as he smiled.

“Therewassomeinfectioninyourwounds.Iamsurprisedthatyouarealiveatall,withwhatUlrikaherehastoldmeofyouradventures.Slayingadragonisnotsomethingmostmenlivethrough.”

Felixfeltembarrassedaswellaspleased.“Iamgladtoseeyou.Iseeyoumanagedtorepairtheairship.”

“Malakaileftveryspecificinstructions.”“Ishewell?”“Heandalltheothers.Althoughtheyarealldisappointedaboutthetreasure.”“Isitlostthen?”“Nothing buried below the earth is ever lost to dwarfs,” said Borek. “It will take years to

excavatealloftherockbutwewillgetiteventually.”Felixfellsilentforamoment,thinkingofthebodiesofStegandGrimme.Theyhadreceiveda

morethoroughburialthananythinghecouldeverhavegiventhem.Itwasanalarmingthoughtthathecouldhavealltooeasilybeenburiedwiththem.HereachedoutandtookUlrika’shand.

“Don’tworry,”shesaid.“Maxsaysyou’llbeupandaboutbythetimewereachourdestination.”“Wherearewegoing?”Felixasked,fearinghealreadyknew.“Praag,”shesaidsimply.Heshivered,knowingthegreatestChaosarmyassembledintwocenturieswouldsoonbethere

too.

Scanning,formattingandbasicproofingbyUndead.

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