AWARHAMMERNOVEL

ORCSLAYER

Gotrek&Felix-08

NathanLong

(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.

“Atlonglastweweresailinghome.AfternearlytwodecadesfollowingtheSlayerashechasedhisdoomeastandsouthandcastagain,throughAraby,IndandCathay,Iwasreturningwithhimto theOldWorldandthe landsofourbirth.YearshadI longedfor thisday,butwhen itcame, itwasnot tobring either of us the joy orpeacewehoped itwould. Instead,we foundterrorand strifewaiting forus themomentour feet touched land.Mycompanionmetanoldfriend,andwasaskedtohonouranoldoath;littleknowingwhathorrorandbloodshedwouldcomeofthesethings.

“Beforethenightmarecameto itsbitter,bloodyend,IsawtheSlayerhappierthanIhadever known him to be, but also more miserable. It was a strange time, and it is with greatreluctancethatIstirthosesadmemoriesinordertorecordthemhere.”

—FromMyTravelsWithGotrek,VolVII,byHerrFelixJaeger(AltdorfPress,2527)

CHAPTERONE“Orcs?”Gotrekshrugged.“I’vefoughtenoughorcs.”

FelixpeeredattheSlayerinthegloomofthemerchantship’scrampedforwardcabin.Thethick-muscleddwarfsatonabench,hisflame-beardedchinsunktohischest,an immensesteinofale inone massive fist, and a broached half-keg at his side. The only illumination came from a smallporthole—arippling,sea-sick-greenreflectionfromthewavesoutside.

“But they’veblockadedBarakVan,”saidFelix.“Wewon’tbeable todock.Youwant toget toBarakVarr, don’t you?Youwant towalk on dry land again?” Felixwanted to dock, thatwas forcertain.Twomonthsinthisseagoingcoffinwhereeventhedwarfhadtoduckhisheadbelowdeckshaddrivenhimstir-crazy.

“Idon’tknowwhatIwant,”rumbledGotrek,“exceptanotherdrink.”Hetookanotherdrink.Felixscowled.“Fairenough.IfIlive,Iwillwriteinthegrandepicpoemofyourdeaththatyou

drownedheroicallybelowdecks,drunkasahalflingonharvestday,whileyourcomradesfoughtanddiedaboveyou.”

GotrekslowlyraisedhisheadandfixedFelixwithhissingleglitteringeye.AfteralongmomentwhereFelixthoughttheSlayermightleapacrossthecabinandriphisthroatoutwithhisbarehands,Gotrekgrunted.“You’veawaywithwords,manling.”

Heputdownhissteinandpickeduphisaxe.BarakVarrwasadwarfportbuiltinsideatoweringcliffattheeasternmostendoftheBlackGulf,acurvingtalonofwaterthatcutdeeplyintothelawlessbadlandssouthoftheBlackMountainsandtheEmpire.Boththeharbourandthecityweretuckedintoacavesohighthatthetallestwarshipcouldsailunderitsroofanddockatitsteemingwharves.Theentrancewasflankedbyfifty-footstatuesofdwarfwarriorsstanding inmassivestoneshipprows.Asquat, sturdy lighthousesatat theendofastonespittotheirright,theflameofwhich,itwassaid,couldbeseenfortwentyleagues.

Felix could see almost noneof this architecturalwonder, however, for a boat-bornehordeoforcsfloatedbetweenhimandBarakVarr ’swide,shadowedentrance,andathicketofpatchedsails,masts, crude banners and strung-up corpses blocked his view. The line looked impenetrable, afloatingbarricadeofcapturedandlashed-togetherwarships,merchantmen,rafts,bargesandgalleysthatstretchedfornearlyamileinacurvingarcbeforetheport.Smokefromcookingfiresrosefrommanyofthedecks,andthewateraroundthembobbedwithbloatedcorpsesandfloatinggarbage.

“Yousee?”saidCaptainDoucette,anextravagantlymoustachioedBretonniantraderfromwhomGotrekandFelixhadcaughtarideinTilea.“Lookliketheybuildfromeveryprizeandwarshipthattrytopass;andImustland.IhavetosellaholdfullofIndspiceshere,andpickupdwarfsteelforBretonnia.Ifno,thetripwillmakealoss.”

“Is there some place you can break through?” asked Felix, his long blond hair and his redSudenlandcloakwhippingaboutintheblusterysummerwind.“Willtheshiptakeit?”

“Oh, oui,” saidDoucette. “She is strong, theReineCeleste.We fight offmany pirates, smashlittleboatsinourway.Tradingisnoteasylife,no?But…orcs?”

“Don’tworryabouttheorcs,”saidGotrek.DoucetteturnedandlookedGotrekfrombristlingcrimsoncrest,toleathereye-patch,tosturdy

bootsandbackagain.“Forgiveme,myfriend.Idonotdoubtyouareveryformidable.Thearmsliketrunksofthetrees,yes?Thechestlikethebull,butyouareonlyoneman—er,dwarf.”

“OneSlayer,”growledGotrek.“Nowfillyoursailsandgeton.I’veakegtofinish.”

DoucettecastapleadinglookatFelix.Felixshrugged.“I’vefollowedhimthroughworse.”“Captain!”alookoutcalledfromthecrow’s-nest.“Moreshipsbehindus!”Doucette,GotrekandFelixturnedandlookedoverthesternrail.TwosmallcuttersandaTilean

warshipwereanglingoutofasmallcoveandracingtowardsthem,sailsfatwithwind.Allthefancywoodworkhadbeenstrippedfromthem,replacedwithrams,catapultsandtrebuchets.Theheadofthebeautiful,bare-breastedfigureheadonthewarship’sprowhadbeenreplacedwithatroll’sskull,androtting corpses dangled by their necks from its bowsprit. Orcs stood along the rail, bellowinggutturalwarcries.Goblinscaperedandscreechedallaroundthem.

Doucettehissedthroughhisteeth.“Theymakethetrap,no?Pinchlikethecrayfish.Nowwehavenochoice.”Heturnedandscannedthefloatingbarrier,andthenpointed,shoutingtohispilot.“Twopointsstarboard,Luque.Attherafts!Feruzzi!Claponallsail!”

FelixfollowedDoucette’sgazeasthesteersmanturnedthewheelandthematesentthewaistersup the shrouds to unfurlmore canvas.Four ramshackle rafts, piledwith lootedbarrels and crates,were lashed loosely together between a battered Empire man-o’-war and a half-charred Estaliangalley. Both of the ships were alive with orcs and goblins, hooting and waving their weapons atDoucette’strader.

Themerchantman’ssailscrackedlikepistolsastheyfilledwithwind,anditpickedupspeed.“Battlestations!”calledDoucette.“Preparetoreceiveboarders!‘Warethegrapnels!”Greenskinslargeandsmallwerepouringoverthesidesoftheman-o’-warandthegalley,and

runningacrosstheraftstowardsthepointwherethemerchantmanmeanttobreakthrough.Truetothecaptain’swarninghalfofthemswunghooksandgrapnelsabovetheirheads.

Felixlookedback.Thecuttersandthewarshipweregaining.Ifthemerchantmanmadeitthroughtheblockadeitmightoutrunthepursuers,butifitwerecaught…

“BytheLady,no!”gaspedDoucettesuddenly.Felix turned.Allalong the raft-boundman-o’-war,blackcannonmuzzleswerepushingoutof

square-cutports.“Wewillbeblowntopieces,”saidDoucette.“But…butthey’reorcs,”saidFelix.“Orcscan’taimtosavetheirlives.”Doucetteshrugged.“Atsucharange,dotheyneedtoaim?”Felixlookedaround,desperate.“Well,canyoublowthemup?Shootthembeforetheyshootus?”“You joke, mon ami,” laughed Doucette. He pointed to the few catapults that were the

merchantman’sonlyartillery.“ThesewilldolittleagainstEmpireoak.”Theywererapidlyapproachingtheblockade.Itwastoolatetoattempttoturnaside.Felixcould

smellthegreenskins,afilthyanimalsmell,mixedwiththestinkofgarbage,offalanddeath.Hecouldseetheearringsglintingintheirtatteredearsandmakeoutthecrudeinsigniapaintedontheirshieldsandraggedarmour.

“Throwmeatit,”saidGotrek.FelixandDoucettelookedathim.Thedwarfhadamadgleaminhiseye.“What?”askedDoucette.“Throwyou?”“Putmeinoneofyourrocklobbersandcutthecord.I’lldealwiththesefloatingfilth.”“You…youwantmetocatapultyou?”askedDoucette,incredulous.“Likethebomb?”“Thegrobidoit.Anythingagoblincando,adwarfcando,better.”“But,Gotrek,youmight…”saidFelix.Gotrekraisedaneyebrow.“What?”

“Er,nothing,nevermind.”FelixhadbeenabouttosaythatGotrekmightgethimselfkilled,butthatwas,afterall,thepoint,wasn’tit?

Gotrekcrossedtooneofthecatapultsandclimbedontothebucket.Helookedlikeaparticularlyuglybulldogsittingonaservingladle.“Justmakesureyouputmeovertherail,notintotheside.”

“Wewilltry,masterdwarf,”saidthechiefofthecatapult’screw.“Er,youwillnotkillusifyoudie?”

“I’llkillyouifyoudon’tstartshooting!”growledGotrek.“Fire!”“Oui,oui.”Thecrewangledthegunaround,huffingatGotrek’sextraweight,untilitfacedtheman-o’-war,

andthencrankedthefiringarmalittletighter.“Holdontoyouraxe,masterdwarf,”saidthecrewchief.“Perhapsahelmet,”saidFelix.“Ora…”Thecrewchiefdroppedhishand.“Fire!”Acrewmanpulledaleverandthecatapult’sarmshotupandout.Gotrekflewthroughtheairina

longhigharc,straightfortheman-o’-war,bellowingabull-throatedbattlecry.FelixstaredblanklyasGotrekflattenedagainstthepatchedcanvasoftheman-o’-war ’smainsail

andsliddown to thedeck intoaseethingswarmoforcs.“Therealquestion,”hesaid tonoone inparticular,“ishowI’mgoingtomakeitallrhyme.”

He and the catapult’s crew craned their necks, trying to findGotrek in the chaos, but all theycouldseewasaswirlofhulkinggreenbodiesandtheriseandfallofenormousblack-ironcleavers.Atleastthey’renotstopping,Felixthought.Iftheywerestillfighting,thenGotrekwasstillalive.

Thentheorcsstoppedfighting,andinsteadbeganrunningtoandfro.“Ishe…?”askedDoucette.“Idon’tknow,”saidFelix,bitinghis lip.Afterall thedragons,daemonsandtrollsGotrekhad

fought,wouldhereallydiefacingmereorcs?Thelookout’svoiceboomeddownfromabove.“Impactcoming!”Withajarringcrunch,themerchantmancrashedintothelineofrafts,smashingtimber,snapping

cord, and sendingbarrels and crates andover-enthusiastic orcs flying into the cold, choppywater.Thesideoftheman-o’-warroselikeacastlewalldirectlytotheirright,hercannonportslevelwithDoucette’sdeck.

Grapnelswhistled through the air to the left and right, and Felix ducked just in time tomissgetting hooked through the shoulder. They bit into the rail and the deck and the sails, their ropesthrumming tight as the ship continued forwards. The Reine Celeste’s crew chopped at them withhatchetsandcutlasses,buttwomorecaughtforeachonetheycut.

AthunderousboomwentoffinFelix’srightear,andoneoftheman-o’-war ’scannon,notfifteenfeetaway,wasobscuredinwhitesmoke.Acannonballwhooshedbyatheadlevelandpartedaratline.

Felixswallowed.ItlookedlikeGotrekhadfailed.“Boarders!”cameDoucette’svoice.Themerchantshiphadbrokenthroughtheorclineandwasinsidetheblockade,butwasslowing

sharply,towingthegrapnel-hookedraftsandtherestoftheshipswithit.Theman-o’-warwasturningasitwaspulled,anditsgunsremainedtrainedonDoucette’sshipaswavesofroaringgreenmonstersclimbedup the linesand thesidesandclamberedover the rail.Felixdrewhisdragon-hiltedswordand joined the others as they raced to hold them off—men of every colour and land stabbing,hacking and shooting at the age-old enemy of humanity — Tileans in stocking caps and baggytrousers,Bretonniansinstripedpantaloons,menofAraby,Indandfurtherplaces,allfightingwiththecrazeddesperationoffear.

Therewasnoretreat,andsurrendermeantanorcstew-pot.Felixsidesteppedacleaver-blowthatwould have halved him had it connected, and ran his towering opponent through the neck. Twogoblinsattackedhisflanks.Hekilledoneandkickedtheotherback.Anotherorcsurgedupinfrontofhim.

Felix was no longer the willowy young poet he had been when, during a night of drunkencamaraderie,hehadpledged to recordGotrek’sdoom inanepicpoem.Decadesof fightingat theSlayer ’ssidehadhardenedhimandfilledhimout,andmadeaseasonedswordsmanofhim.Evenso,hewasnomatch—physicallyat least—fortheseven-footmonsterhefaced.Thebeastwasmorethantwicehisweight,witharmsthickerthanFelix’slegs,andanunderslungjawfromwhichjuttedupcrackedtusks. Itstanklike thebackendofaPig-Itsmadredeyesblazedwithfuryas it roaredandswungablack ironcleaver.Felixduckedandslashedback,but theorcwasquick,andknockedhisswordaside.Therewasanotherboomandacannonballpunchedthroughtherail tenfeet toFelix’sleft,cuttingaswaththroughthemeleethatkilledbothmerchantsandorcsalike.Redbloodandblackmixedontheslipperydeck.Felixdeflectedaswipefromtheorcthatshiveredhisarmtotheshoulder.Thecatapult’screwchieffellbackintwopiecesbesidehim.

Another series of booms rocked the ship, and Felix thought the orcs had somehow got off adisciplinedsalvo.Heglancedpasthisorc to theman-o’-war.Smokepouredfromthecannonportsbut,strangely,nocannonballs.Theorcslashedathim.Felixhoppedbackandtrippedoverthecrewchiefstorso.Helandedflatonhisbackinapuddleofblood.

Theorcguffawedandraisedhiscleaveroverhishead.Withamassiveka-rumptheman-o’-warexplodedintoabillowingballofflame,bitsoftimber

andropeandorcpartsspinningpast.Thefightersonthedeckof themerchantmanwereblownofftheir feet by a hammer of air. Felix felt as if his eardrums had been stabbedwith spikes. The orcabovehimstaggeredandlookeddownathischest,surprised.Acannon’scleaningrodwasstickingoutfrombetweenhisribs,thebristlyheaddrippingwithgore.Ittoppledforwards.

Felixrolledoutofthewayandsprangtohisfeet,lookingtowardstheflame-envelopedman-o’-war.SoGotrekhaddoneitafterall.Butatwhatcost?Surelytherewasnowaythedwarfcouldhavesurvived?

Out of the boiling fireball toppled the man-o’-war ’s mainmast, crashing towards themerchantman’sdecklikeafelledtree—andracingoutacrossit,halfclimbing,halfrunning,wasabroad,compactfigure, faceandskinasblackas iron,redcrestandbeardsmoulderingandsinged.Thetopofthemastsmasheddownthroughthemerchantman’srailandpulverisedaknotofgoblinsthat was just climbing over. With a wild roar, Gotrek leapt from this makeshift bridge into themerchantman’swaist,rightinthemiddleofthecrowdoforcsthatwaspushingDoucette’screwbacktowardsthesterncastlewithheavylosses.

TheSlayerspunashelanded,axeoutstretched,andadozenorcsandgoblinswentdownatonce,spinesandlegsandneckssevered.Theircompanionsturnedtofacehim,andsevenmorewentdown.Heartened, the merchant crew pressed forwards, attacking the confused orcs. Unfortunately, morewererunningacrosstherafts,andthemerchantmanwasstillcaughtinanetofgrapnels,andpinnedinplacebythefallenmast.

Felix leapt the forecastle rail, yelling to Doucette as he plunged into the circle of orcs andgoblinstowardsGotrek.“Cutthelinesandclearthemast!Forgettheorcs!”

Doucettehesitated, thennodded.Hescreamedathiscrewinfour languagesandtheyfellback,chopping at the remaining ropes and heaving together to push the man-o’-war ’s mast off theirstarboardrail,whilethegreenskinspressedintotakedownthecrazedSlayer.

Felixtookuphisaccustomedposition,behind,andslightlytotheleftofGotrek,justfarenough

awaytobeclearofthesweepofhisaxe,butcloseenoughtoprotecthisbackandflanks.Theorcswerefrightened,andshoweditbytryingdesperatelytokilltheobjectoftheirfear.But

theharder they tried, the faster theydied,getting ineachother ’sway in theireagerness, forgettingFelixuntilhehadrunthemthroughthekidneys,fightingeachotherforthechancetokillGotrek.Thedeckunderthedwarf’sfeetwasslickwithblackblood,andorcandgoblinbodieswerepiledhigherthanhischest.

GotrekcaughtFelix’seyeashebifurcatedanorc,topknottogroin.“Notabadlittlescrap,eh,manling?”

“Thoughtyou’ddiedatlast,”saidFelix,duckingacutlass.Gotreksnortedasheguttedanotherorc.“Not likely.Stupidorcshadall thepowderupon the

gundeck.Icutsomeuglygreenskin’sheadoffandstuckitinacookfireuntilitcaught.”Hebarkedasharp laugh as he decapitated two goblins. “Then bowled it down the gun-line like I was playingninepins.Thatdidit!”

Withascreechingandsnappingofrendingtimbers,themerchantman’screwfinallypushedtheman-o’-war ’smainmastclearoftherail.Grapnellinespartedwithtwangslikealoosedbow’sastheReineCelestesurgedforwards,straighteningoutbeforethewind.

The crew cheered and turned to fight the last few orcs. Itwas over in seconds. Felix and theothers wiped their blades and looked back just in time to see the three orc pursuit ships smashtogetherastheyalltriedtoshootthegapthroughtheblockadeatonce.Roarsoffuryrosefromthem,and the threecrewsbegan tohackateachotherwhile theirboatsbecameinextricablyfouled in themessofrafts,ropesandfloatingdebris.

Nexttothethree-shipsquabble,theremainsoftheburningman-o’-warsankslowlyintothegulfunderatoweringplumeofblacksmoke.Orcsfromfurtheralongthelinewerehastilycuttingitfreesoitdidn’tpullanythingelsedownwithit.

CaptainDoucette steppedup toGotrekandbowed lowbeforehim.Hehadadeepgashonhisforearm. “Master dwarf, we owe you our lives. You have saved us and our cargo from certaindestruction.”

Gotrekshrugged.“Onlyorcs.”“None-the-less,weareextremelygrateful.Ifthereisanythingwemaydotorepayyou,youhave

onlytonameit.”“Hrmm,”saidGotrek,strokinghisstillsmoulderingbeard.“Youcangetmeanotherkegofbeer.

I’venearlyfinishedtheoneIleftbelow.”Itwasatensetwentyminutes,sailingintotheharbourfromtheblockade, thecrewwarilywatchingtheraftsandrowboatsoforcsthatchasedafterthemfromthefloatingbarricadeuntiltheyatlastgaveupandfellbehind.AstheReineCelestegotcloser toBarakVarr ’scavernousopening, theyhad topicktheirwaythroughalitterofwreckedorcshipshalf-sunkaroundtheseawall.Signalsflewfromthelighthouse,whichCaptainDoucetteansweredspeedily.Grim-faceddwarfcannoncrewswatchedthem from fortified emplacements below it. Dwarf masons were at work on the lighthouse itself,repairingagreatholeblastedinitsside.

FelixgazedinwonderastheReineCelestesailedbetweenthetwostatuesandintotheshadowoftheharbourcavern,staggeredbythebeautyandimmenseproportionsoftheplace.Thecavewassowideandsodeepthathecouldnotseethewalls.

Hundredsof thickchainshungdownfromthedarknessof theroof.At theendofeachwasanoctagonallanternthesizeofanobleman’scarriage,whichprovidedanevenyellowlightthatallowedshipstofindtheirwaytothedocks.

Theharbourfilledthefronthalfofthecave,awide,curvingfrontagefromwhichthebranching

stone fingers of quays andwharves extended. Theywere laid outwith typical dwarfish precision,evenly spaced and perfectly positioned, to make manoeuvring in and out of the slips as easy aspossiblefortheshipsthatdockedthere.Therewerethirtyshipsberthedtherenow,androomforatleastfiftymore.

Acityofstonerosebeyondtheharbour. ItwasstrangeforFelix,whohadvisitedmoredwarfholdsthanmosthumans, toseesuchhumanstructuresashousesandmercantilebuildingsarrangedalong broad avenues under the shadow-hidden roof of the cave, but the dwarfs had made thesesurface-worldformstheirown.NeverhadFelixseensquatter,moremassivelybuilthouses,allsteelgreygraniteanddecoratedtotheroofpeakswithintricategeometricdwarfornamentation.Eventhesmallestlookedasifitcouldwithstandacannon-blast.

As theyapproached theembankment,a tinydwarfsteamship, littlemore thanadinghywithafurnace,puffedouttothem,andthenguidedthemtoanemptyslip.Acheereruptedfromthedockasthecrewthrewouttheirlinesandextendedthegangplank.TherewasacrowdofnearlyahundredonhandtowelcomeCaptainDoucetteandhiscrewastheysteppedofftheship.Mostweredwarfs,buttherewereafairnumberofmenaswell.

The harbourmaster, a fat dwarf in slashed doublet and breeches, stumped forwards amid thegeneralhubbubofcongratulationandgreeting.“Welcome,captain,andtwicewelcome.Youarethefirstshiptodockhereinthreeweeks,sincetheaccursedorcssettheirbarricade.Agreatdeed,sir.”

DoucetteturnedtoGotrek.“Thisonedothedeed,sir.Heblowuptheman-o’-warwiththesinglehand,bien?”

“Then we are indebted to you, Slayer,” said the harbourmaster, bowing low. Then, withoutfurtherado,hetookouthisledgerandgottobusiness.“Now,sir,whatdoyoucarry?”Helickedhislipseagerly.

“IbringcinnamonandotherspicesfromInd,”saidDoucettegrandly,“andoilofpalm,patternedrugsofAraby,andlittlelacecapsfortheladies.Verypretty,yes?”

Theharbourmaster ’ssmilecrumpled,andmanyinthecrowdfellsilent.“Spices?Allyouhaveisspices?”

“Andrugsandcaps.”“Spices,”gruntedtheharbourmaster.“Whatgoodarespiceswhenwehavenomeat?Youcan’t

makeamealofpepperandsalt.”“Monsieur,I…”“Theorcshavebeenblockingtheharbourforthreeweeks?”interruptedGotrek.“Whatailsyou?

Whyhaven’tyoublastedthemoutofthewater?”Adwarfsailorwithhisbeardandhairintarredbraidsspokeupbeforetheharbourmastercould

reply. “Grungni-cursed greenskins got lucky and sank one of our ironclads, and the other istransportingdwarfstothewarinthenorth.”

“It’strue,”saidtheharbourmaster.“WithsomanygonetoaidtheEmpire,we’vebarelyenoughdwarfsandshipstokeeptheorcsfromenteringtheharbour,letalonechasethemaway.Theyinfestthelandsideentranceaswell.We’rebesiegedlandandsea.”

GotrekandFelixglancedateachother.“War?”askedGotrek.“Whatwar?”“Youdon’tknowofthewar?”askedtheharbourmaster.“Wherehaveyoubeen?”“IndandAraby,”spatGotrek,“chasingourtails.”“YousaythiswarisintheEmpire?”askedFelix.“Aye,” said the sailor. “TheChaos hordes coming south again: usualmadness. Some ‘chosen

one’andhisladsmakingatryfortheworld.Alotofholdssentdwarfsnorthtohelpturnthemback.

Ourshipscarriedmanyofthem.”“Chaos,”saidGotrek,hisoneeyeshining.“Nowthere’sachallenge.”“Itwerebetterifweleftmen’stroublestomen,”saidtheharbourmasterbitterly.“Theorcshave

takenadvantageoftheclansbeingawayandarerisingallovertheBadlands.Manysmallholdsandhumantownshavebeenputtofireandsword.EvenKarakHirnislost.Theotherholdshavebuttonedthemselvesuptightuntilthey’reatfullstrengthagain.”

“Buthowgoesthewar?”askedFelix.“DoestheEmpirestillstand?Havetheyreached…Nuln?”Theharbourmastershrugged.“Whocansay?Theoverlandcaravansstoppedcomingmorethan

amonthago,andeveryship thatdockedbefore theorcs strung their raftsacrossourmouthhadadifferentstory.OnesaidMiddenheimhadfallen,anotherthatAltdorfwasinflames.ThenextsaidthehordeshadbeenpushedbacktotheWastesandnevergotfurtherthanPraag.Itmightalreadybeoverforallweknow.Grimnirmakeitso.Theseorcsmustbeputdownorweshallstarve.”

GotrekandFelixturnedbacktoCaptainDoucette.“Takeusoutofhere,”saidGotrek.“Wemustgetnorth.”“Yes,”saidFelix.“ImustgettoNuln.Imustseeifitstillexists.”Doucetteblinked.“But…but,myfriends,itisimpossible.Wemustmaketherepairs,no?AndI

musttakeonwaterandsupplies,andcargo.Itwilltakeaweekatleast.”Hegesturedtotheentranceoftheharbour,glowingorangeinthelateafternoonsun.“Andwhatofthegreenones?Willwemaketheescapethewaywemaketheentrance?Itmaynotbesoeasy,eh?”

“Damnyourexcuses,”saidGotrek.“I’veadoomwaitingforme.Let’sgo.”Doucetteshrugged.“Myfriend,Icannot.Notforaweek.Itisimpossible.”Gotrekglaredathim,andFelixwasafraidhewasgoingtograbthecaptainbythescruffofthe

neckanddraghimbackonboard,butatlasttheSlayercursedandturnedaway.“Where’sMakaissonwhenyouneedhim?”hegrowled.“Forgive me, harbourmaster,” said Felix, bowing, “but can you tell me where we can find

lodgingsforaweek?”Theharbourmasterbarkedalaugh.“Goodluck.Thecityisfilledtoburstingwithrefugeesfrom

everyholdandhumantownintheBadlands.Thereisn’tabedtoletatanyprice,andnotmuchfoodeither,butyou’vecinnamontodineon,soyou’llmakeoutallright.”

Gotrekballedhisfistsasthecrowdlaughed.ForonceFelixwasinalikemood.Hewantedtopuncheveryonewithinreachinthenose.Thiswasmaddening.Hehadtogetnorth.Hehadtolearnwhathadbecomeofhisfamily—hisfather,hisbrotherOtto.Hedidn’twanttostayinsomeoutofthewayportwhilehishome,hiscountry,wasravagedbybloodthirstybarbarians.HehadseenwhatthehordeshaddonetothelandsofKislev.ThatthesamethingmightbehappeningintheEmpire—intheReiklandandAverland—whilehewasfarawayandpowerlesstostopit,wasalmostmorethanhecouldbear.

“Come,manling,” saidGotrek at last, turning towards the city and hefting his axe. “Let’s gomakesomeemptybeds.”

CHAPTERTWOTheharbourmaster ’spredictionprovedtrue.GotrekandFelixvisitedthirteentavernsandnotonehadabedtospare.Mosthadrentedouttheirstablesandhayloftstodesperaterefugeesaswell.Othershadbeentakenoverbythecityasbarracksandhospitalsforthedwarfsandmenwhodefendedthecityagainst theorcs in theharbourandon thewallsof thedwarf fort thatprotected theport’s landsideentrance.Eventhebawdyhousesinthehumanquarterweretakinginboarders,andmakingtheirgirlsplytheirtradeindownstairsparloursandalcoves.

Barak Varr ’s lantern-lit underground streets were crowded with dwarfs and men of everydescription,traders,sailors,merchants,gauntfarmerswiththeirfamiliesintowandtheirbelongingsontheirbacks,angrymen-at-armstalkingofretakingtheircastlesorexactingvengeanceontheorcs,lostchildrencryingfortheirmothers,thesickandthemaimedandthedyingmoaningandignoredinalleysanddarkcorners.

The long-timeresidentsofBarakVarr—bothdwarfandhuman—whohad threeweeksagowelcomedtherefugeeswithopenarms,werenowglaringatthembehindtheirbacks,theirpatiencestretched to breaking point. Supplies of food and ale were dwindling rapidly, and with the orcblockadeinplace,therewaslittlepossibilityofmoresuppliescomingsoon.Felixheardvoicesraisedincomplaintandargumentoneverystreettheyturneddown.

Bythefourteenthtavern,theSeaChest,Gotrekgaveupandorderedanale.“Enoughdrinks,itwon’tmatterwhereIsleep,”hesaidwithashrug.Felixwasnotsoeasyaboutaccommodations,butheneededadrinktoo.Ithadbeenalongday.

Theyshovedinatacirculartablewithacrowdofdwarfsandmenintheuniformofthecityguardandstaredforalongmomentatthefoamingmugsofalethebarmaidsetdownbeforethem.Beadsofcondensation ran down the sides, and a heady scent of hopswafted from them like amemory ofsummer.

Gotreklickedhislips,butdidn’treachforthemug.“Realdwarfale,”hesaid.Felixnodded.Hetoowasmesmerisedatthevisionofliquidgoldbeforehim.“Notthatdamned

palmwinewehadinInd.”“OrtheBretonnianslopDoucetteservedontheCeleste,”saidGotrek.Hesnorteddismissively.

“Humanbeer.”“OrthesugarwatertheyservedinAraby,”saidFelixwithfeeling.Gotrekspatafatgobofphlegmonthefloor,disgusted.“Thatrotwaspoison.”At last they could stand it no longer. They snatched up the steins and downed them in long,

greedypulls.Gotrekfinishedfirst,bangingdownhismugandleaningback,hiseyesglazed,lickingfoamfromhismoustache.Felixfinishedamomentlaterandsatbackaswell.Heclosedhiseyes.

“It’sgoodtobeback,”hesaidatlast.Gotreknodded,andsignalledthebarmaidforanotherround.“Aye,”hesaid.Aftertheyhaddrunktheirsecondandthirdinsilence,Gotrek’sbrowbegantocloud,andhisone

eye stared off into nothingness. Felix knew the signs andwas therefore not surprisedwhen a fewmomentslaterGotrekgruntedandspoke.

“Howmanyyearswerewegone?”Felixshrugged.“Ican’tremember.Toolong,atanyrate.”“Andstillalive.”Gotrekwipedthefoamfromhismoustacheandtraceddistractedcirclesonthe

patinated planks of the table. “My best dooms are behindme,manling. I’ve slain trolls, vampires,giants,dragons,daemons,andeachwastobemydeath.Iftheycouldn’tkillme,whatwill?AmIto

spendthenextthreehundredyearskillingskavenandgrobi?ASlayermustdietobecomplete.”Heraisedhisaxehighintotheair,holdingthehaftbytheveryendsothattherazorsharpedgeglintedinthelight.“Theaxemustfall.”

“Gotrek…”saidFelixuneasily.Gotrekblinkedblanklyatthegleamingblade,thenletitdrop.“Gotrek!”Felixsquawked.Gotrekstoppedthebladeahairsbreadthfromhisnoseashecaughtitagain,andthenloweredit

tohissideasifhehaddonenothinguntoward.“ImagineaSlayerwhodiedofoldage.Pathetic”Hesighed,thentookanotherlongdraught.

Felix’sheartwaspoundingwithreaction.Hewantedtoscreamatthedwarfforbeingafool,butafteryearsinhiscompany,heknewthatanyprotestationswouldonlymakeGotrekdighisheelsinanddosomethingevenmorestupid.

“Wemustgonorth,”Gotrekcontinuedafteramoment.“Thatdaemonwas thebeast thatcameclosesttokillingme.Iwantanothergoat—”

“Pardon,Slayer,”saidavoicebehindthem.“YouareGotrek,sonofGurni?”Gotrek andFelix turned, handsmoving to theirweapons.Twoyoungdwarfs in travel-stained

doubletsandwornbootsstoodatarespectfuldistance.Gotrekeyedthemlevelly.“Whowantstoknow?”Thenearerofthetwo,whosesandyhairwaspulledupinaclubbedtopknot,duckedhishead.“I

amThorgigHelmgard,sonofThaneKirhazHelmgard,oftheDiamondsmithclanofKarakHirn,atyourserviceandyourclan’s.ThisismyfriendandclanbrotherKagrinDeepmountain.”Theseconddwarf,around-facedyouthwithabrownbeardevenshorterthanThorgig’s,duckedhishead,butsaidnothing.Hiseyesremainedfixedonthefloor.

“We…Werecognisedyouraxewhenyouraisedit,”continuedThorgig,“thoughwehaveonlyhearditdescribed.”

Gotrekfrownedat thenameof thehold.“Andthat’sexcuseenoughto interruptadwarf inhisdrinking,short-beard?”

FelixglancedatGotrek.Thatwasunusuallybrusque,evenforhim.Thorgigcolouredalittle,butkepthimselfincheck.“Forgiveme,masterSlayer.Ionlywantedto

ask if you had come toBarakVarr to help your old friend,my liege, PrinceHamnirRanulfsson,recover Karak Hirn, which was lost to the grobi not three weeks ago. He is organising an armyamongtherefugees.”

“Oldfriend,isit?”saidGotrek.“Iwouldn’thelpHamnirRanulfssonfinishakeg.Ifhe’slosthisfather ’sholdit’snomorethanI’dexpect.”Heturnedbacktohismug.“Offwithyou.”

Thorgig’sfistsclenched.“Youborderclosetoinsult,Slayer.”“Onlyclose?”saidGotrek.“ThenI’vemissedmymark.HamnirRanulfssonisanoathbreaking

dog,notfittoshapetinordigmiddens.”Felixedgedback.“Stand,Slayer,”saidThorgig,hisvoicetrembling.“Iwouldnothitasittingdwarf.”“ThenI’llstaysitting.Idon’twantyourdeathonmyhands.”Thorgig’sfacewasasredandmottledasFelix’scloak.“Youwon’tstand?Areyouacowardas

wellasaliar?”Gotrek’shandsfrozeonhismugandthemusclesinhismassivearmsflexed,butthenherelaxed.

“GobacktoHamnir,lad.I’venogrudgeagainstyou.”“ButI’veoneagainstyou.”Theyoungdwarfsposturewasrigidwithamixtureoffearandfury.

“Fairenough,”saidGotrek, lookingintohismug.“ComebackwhenyourbeardreachesyourbeltandI’lltakeyourmeasure,butatthemoment,I’mdrinking.”

“Morecowardice,”saidThorgig.“YouareaSlayer.Youwillbelongdeadbythen.”Gotreksighedmorosely.“I’mbeginningtodoubtit.”ThorgigandhiscompanioncontinuedtostareatGotrekwhiletheSlayerdownedhisale,lostin

moodyreflection,andFelixeyedthesceneanxiously,everymusclereadytojumpawayat thefirstsignofafight.HehadwatchedGotrek’sbackinbattleswithdaemons,dragonsandtrolls,butonlyamadmangotinthemiddleofbrawlingdwarfs.

Aftera longmoment, theawkwardnessofhispositionat lastbecame toomuch for theyoungdwarfandheturnedtohiscompanion.“Come,Kagrin,wearefoolstoexpectaSlayertodefendhishonour.Dotheynottakethecrestbecausetheylostitlongago?”

Gotrektensedagainasthetwodwarfspushedthroughthecrowdtothedoor,buthesuccessfullystoppedhimselffromgoingafterthem.

“Whatwasallthatabout?”askedFelixwhentheyweregone.“Notyourconcern,manling.”Gotrekdrainedhismugandstood.“Let’sfindanotherplace.”Felixsighedandrose.“Anotherplacewillbebetter?”“Itwon’tbethisplace,”camethereply.

Lodgingssuddenlybecameavailableatthenexttavern,afilthydivecalledtheBlindAlley,whentwoTileantraderswhohadbeenstayingtheregotinafightwiththreeEstaliansailorsoverthefavoursofa tavern girl, and all five of themwere thrownout.Therewas a fierce biddingwar for the roomamongthetavern’scustomers,butGotrekshowedthelandlordadiamondthesizeofhisthumbnailand theauctioncame toanabruptend.Heorderedahalfkegof the tavern’sbestbrewsentupandretiredimmediately.

Felixshookhisheadwhenhelookedaroundthecramped,grimyroom.Thereweremouldstainsonthewalls,andthesheetson the twonarrowcots tuckedunder theeaveswereblotchedandgrey.“ThatdiamondwasthegiftoftheCaliphofRasKarim,”hesaid.“ItmighthaveboughtatownhouseinAltdorf,andyouusedittopayforthis?”

“Iwantsomepeace,”rumbledGotrek,“andifyougoonaboutit,youcansleepinthehall.”“NotI,”saidFelix,pullingbackhiscot’spatchedblanketdubiously.“I’llbetoobusywrestling

bed-bugstospeak.”“Justbequietaboutit.”Therewasadeferentialtaponthedoor,andtwoofthelandlord’sbarmenwaddledinwithahalf-

keg. Themark of a BarakVarr dwarf brewerywas branded on the side. They set it on the floorbetweenthecots,thentappedit,lefttwomugs,andwithdrew.

Gotrekturnedthetapandletafewinchesofaleslidedownthesideofthemug.Hetookasip,thennodded,satisfied.“NotBugman’s,butnotbad.TenortwelveoftheseandIcouldsleepinapigsty.”Hefilledthemugtothebrimandsatintheroom’sonlychair.

“Apigstymighthavebeencleaner,”saidFelix.Hefilledhismugtoo,andtookaswallow.Therichamber liquid flowed, cool andpleasingly sharp,down tohis stomach, and sent awarm tinglethroughhislimbs.Atonce,amellowglowspreadoverthewholeroom,agoldenpatinathatblindedonetothedirtanddisrepair.“Ontheotherhand,apigstywouldn’thavethis,”hesaid,liftingthemug.He took a longer drink and sat downonhis cot.A slat creakedominously, andhe slid toward thecentre.Hesighed.“So,isthiswhatyoumeantodowhilewewaitouttheweekfortheCeleste?Sitinthisroomanddrink?”

“Youhaveabetterplan?”Felixshrugged.“Itjustseemsawasteoftime.”

“That’sthetroublewithmen,”saidGotrek,“nopatience.”Hetookadrink.Felixtriedtothinkofabetterplan,butcouldn’t,sohehadanotherdrinktoo.

Fourorfivemugslateranotherknockcameonthedoor.Felixthoughtitwasthelandlordagain,bringingupanotherhalfkeg,andleveredhimselfoutofthesway-backedbed,butwhenheopenedthedoor,aprosperous-lookingdwarfstoodinit,fourmorebehindhimintheshadowsofthehall.FelixrecognisedyoungThorgigandhissilentfriendKagrinamongthem.

ThedwarfinthedoorlookedofanagewithGotrek—thoughitwashardtotellwithdwarfs—butconsiderablylessweathered.Hischestnutbrownbeardfloweddownhisgreenandgolddoublet,bulgedover a comfortablepaunch, andwas tuckedneatlyunderhisbelt.Apairofgold spectaclesdangledfromagoldchainclippedtohiscollar.Hehadsquare,broadfeaturesandclearbrowneyes,currentlyflashingwithsuppressedanger.“Whereishe?”heasked.

Gotreklookedupatthevoiceandglaredbalefullyatthespeakerfromacrosstheroom.“Foundme,didyou?”

“Therearen’tmanyone-eyedSlayersintown.”Gotrekburped.“Well,nowyoucangoagain.Ialreadytoldyourboot-boyIwouldn’thelp.”The dwarf — Felix assumed it must be the aforementioned Hamnir Ranulfsson — stepped

forwards,ignoringFelixentirely.“Gotrek—”“Yousetfootinthisroom,”saidGotrek,interruptinghim.“I’llkillyou.Afterwhathaspassed

betweenus,you’venoreasontoexpectanythingfrommeexceptacleftskull.”Hamnir hesitated for a second, and then stepped deliberately into the room. It was an act of

couragefor,comparedtoGotrek,helookedsmallandsoftandfat.“Thenkillme.I’veswallowedalotofpridecominghere.I’llspeakmypiece.”

Gotreklookedhimovercoldlyfromhischair.Heshookhishead.“You’vebecomeashopkeep.”“Andyou’vebecomeatavernbullybyallaccounts,”saidHamnir.“Itoldyourboymygrudgewaswithyou.Ididn’tfighthim.”“Iknowourgrudge,Gurnisson,”saidHamnir,“whichiswhyIdon’tcomeaskingformyself,

but forKarakHirn,andall itsclans,and forall thedwarfsandmenof theBadlandsaswell.WithKarakHirnfallenthereisnobastiontostopthegrobifromraidingthecountryside.Itburns.Tradetwixtdwarfandmanhasceased.Nograinforale.Nohumangoldfordwarfswords.Theholdsareslowlystarving.”

“Andhowdidthistragedycomeabout?”askedGotrek,sneering.“Nofaultofyours,surely.”Hamnir looked down, colouring. “The fault is minemore than anyone else’s, I suppose.My

fatherandolderbrotherwentnorthtojointheforcesfightingtheChaosinvasionandleftmewiththerunningofKarakHirn.Assecondson,Ihavedealtprimarilywithtrade,asyouknow,andithasbeenmycustomtocometoBarakVan-tonegotiatewiththeTileangrainmerchants,astheyareknownfortheirsharppracticesandslipperyways.”

“Nosharperorslipperierthanyours,I’msure,”mutteredGotrek.Hamnirignoredhim.“SoIleft theholdinthehandsofDurinTorvaltsson,oneofmyfather ’s

advisors,toooldtogotowar,and—”“The orcs took the hold while you were away arguing over wheat?” Gotrek’s disgust was

palpable.Hamnirclenchedhisjaw.“Wehadnoreasontoexpectanattack.Theorcswererunningwildin

theBadlands, but they hadn’t attacked the holds.Whywould theywhen therewere somany easiertargetsamong thehumansettlements?But…but theydidattack.Wehadbeenhere threedayswhenThorgigandKagrinslippedthroughthesiegebynightandfoundme.Theysaidtheorcshadcomeupfromourmines,inoverwhelmingforce.Weweretakenentirelyunawares.Ouralarms,ourtraps,all

failed.Durinisdead,asaremanyothers:Ferga,mybetrothed,Thorgig’ssister,maybeoneofthem.I—”

“Soyouaretoblame,”saidGotrek.“AndifIam,”saidHamnir,hotly,“doesitchangewhathasbeenlostandwhatmorewillbelost

becauseofit?Canatruedwarfturnaway?”“IamatrueSlayer,Ranulfsson,”growledGotrek,“sworntoseekagreatdeath,andIwon’tfind

thatfightinggrobiinKarakHirn.I’mgoingnorth.Therearedaemonsinthenorth.”Hamnirspat.“ThatforSlayers:vainandselfish.Theyseekgreatdeaths,notgreatdeeds.”Gotrekstood,takinguphisaxe.“Getout.”The dwarfs in the hall put their hands on their axes and hammers, and stepped forwards, but

Hamnirwavedthemback.HeglaredatGotrek.“Ihopeditwouldn’tcometothis.Ihopedyouwoulddotherightthingand

come to theaidofKarakHirnoutof loyalty toyour race,but I see thatyouarestill thesameoldGotrekGurnisson,stillmoreconcernedwithyourownglorythanthecommongood.Verywell.”Heraisedhischin,pushinghisbeardoutlikeanauburnwaterfall.“Beforetheoathwasmadethatbirthedthegrudgebetweenus,therewasanother,spokenwhenwefirstbecamefriends.”

“Youdirty—”saidGotrek.“We vowed,” continuedHamnir, talking over him, “with blood passed between us, that come

whatmayonlife’sbitterroad, ifcalledupon,wewouldaidanddefendeachotheras longas therewasstillbloodinourveinsandlifeinourlimbstodoso.Icallonthatvownow.”

Gotrek’ssingleeyeblazedandheadvancedonHamnir,axeraised.Hamnirpaled,butstoodfirm.Gotrekstoppedbeforehim,trembling,andthenwhippedtheaxedown,soclosetoHamnir ’ssidethatitshavedsomestraythreadsfromhissleeve,thenbitintothefloorboards.

Hamnirletoutarelievedbreath.Gotrekpunchedhiminthenosesohardthathelandedonhisneckatthefeetofhisdwarfs.They

steppedforwardstocoverhim,butGotrekstayedwherehewas.“You’vesomegallcallingonanoath,afterwhatyou’vedone,”GotreksaidasHamnirtriedto

raisehisbleedinghead,“but,unlikesome, Ihaveneverbrokenavow.I’ll joinyourarmy,but thisfoolishnessbetterbefinishedbeforethewarisoverinthenorth.”Heturnedhisbackonthedwarfsinthedoorandpickeduphismug.“Now,getout.I’mdrinking.”

CHAPTERTHREEAwideboulevard,theRisingRoad,ranstraightthroughBarakVarrfromthedockstothebackwalloftheenormouscavernwheretheholdsoftheport’sfoundingclanswerebuiltintothesolidrockinthemore traditionaldwarfmanner, eachwitha fortified frontdoor toppedwith theclan sigil.Theboulevardpiercedthebackwallandcontinuedon,rising,straightandbroadandgradual,throughtheearth to the surface, where it opened within a sturdy dwarf fortress, built to defend the landsideentrance.

Onthisroad,threedayslater,HamnirRanulfsson,PrinceofKarakHirn,musteredhisarmyofrefugeedwarfs—fivehundreddoughtywarriorsfromascoreofclans,alongwithdwarfsmithsandsurgeons, and bustling dwarfwives, overseeingwagons full of food, camp gear and supplies, allheaded for Rodenheim Castle, a human keep near Karak Hirn where, according to Thorgig, thesurvivors of the orc invasion had taken refuge. The castle too had been ravaged by orcs, BaronRodenheim slaughtered with all his vassals, but the green horde had soon abandoned it for freshpillage,andthedwarfshadmovedin.

Banners waved proudly at the head of Hamnir ’s column. The force was well kitted out witharmour,shields,axes,crossbows,handgunsandcannon—aswellasprovisionsandfodder—forBarakVarrhadhelpedoutfitthearmy.Felixdidn’tdoubtthatthiswasbecausethedwarfsoftheportwishedHamnireverysuccessinregainingKarakHirnandassuringthesecurityofthedwarfrace,butnodoubtthefactthat,withhisforcegone,theywouldhavesixhundredlessmouthstofeedprobablyhadsomethingtodowithitaswell.

Felixwastheonlymaninthelongcolumn.Thiswasnotyetanarmyofgeneralliberation.Thedwarfsweregoingto takebackKarakHirn,andmenwerenot invitedfreely intoadwarfhold,nomatterhowdesperatethesituation.OnlyFelix’sstatusas“DwarfFriend”andGotrek’s“rememberer”allowedhimtojointhedwarfs’solemnranks.HestoodwithGotreknearthefrontoftheforcewhiletheywaitedforalltheclanstoformup.

Therewasafairamountofargumentabouttheorderofmarch,witheachclanclaimingsomeancient honour or precedent that would put them closer to the front, and Felix could see Hamnirstandinginthecentreofacrowdofclanleadersdoinghisbesttokeephistemperwhilehearbitratedamongstthem.

GleaminggromrilarmourcoveredHamnirhead-to-toe—ifalittlesnugaboutthewaist—andoverthiswasbeltedadarkgreensurcoatstitchedwithKarakHirn’ssigilofahornoverastonegate.Ashieldoverhisbackhadthesamedesign,andheworeonhisheadanelaboratewingedhelm,thecheekandnoseguardsofwhichdidnotquitehidehislumpybrokennoseandhistwopurple-tingedblackeyes.

GotrekswayedbesideFelix,moaning,andproppinghimselfupwithhisaxe.Truetohisoriginalintention,hehadspentthelastthreedaysintheirfilthyroom,blinddrunkforthefewhourshewasawake each day.Yet it had been him—with a dwarf’s uncanny ability to know the time under oraboveground,inlightordark—thathadwokenFelixtwohoursagoandtoldhimtogetready.Now,however,withnothingtodobutwaitand,eventually,march,theeffectsofthepreviousnight’sbingehadcaughtupwithhim.

“Wouldyoumindverymuchnotbreathingsoloudly?”hegrowled.“Icouldstopbreathingentirely,ifyoulike,”Felixsaid,snappily,forhetoohadbeenlessthan

sparingwiththealethenightbefore.Gotrekpinchedhistemples.“Yes,do.Anddon’tshout.”

Atlast,afteranotherhourofargumentandreforming,anorderofmarchwassettledupon,andthe dwarf army got underway. They were accompanied by Odgin Stormwall, commander of thelandside fortress, a stout,white-beardedoldveteran,andacompanyofBarakVarr ’scityguard—fiftydwarfsinring-mailandblueandgreysurcoatsaccompaniedthem.Odginexplainedthesituationaboveastheymarched.

“Thegrobifilthbesiegethefort,”Odginexplainedastheymarched,“thoughthey’renottryingvery hard to take it.Mostly, they’re eating and drinking every bit of forage to be hadwithin fiftyleagues,andslaughteringeverycaravanthatcomestotradewithus.Whentheygetrestless,theymakearunatthewallsandweturnthemback.Usuallytheyjustlobrocksandgobbosatus.”

“Whydon’tyoujustmarchoutanddestroythem?”askedThorgigwhowalkedatHamnir ’ssidewithhissilentfriendKagrin.

OdginexchangedanamusedsmilewithHamnir,andthennoddedatThorgig.“Oh,we’dliketo,lad,butthere’smorethanafewofthem.Whyshouldweputourselvesatriskwhenwe’reniceandsafebehindourwalls?”

“Butyou’restarvinginhere,”saidThorgig.“Aye,andthey’llstarveouttheresooner,”saidOdgin.“Whenthey’vekilledallthelivestockand

lootedall the townswithinaday’smarch, theirhungerwillwinoutover theirpatienceand they’llmoveon.Theyalwaysdo.”

“Whatifyoustarvebeforetheydo?”Odgin chuckled. “Your orc isn’tmuch on rationing.Our ladsmay complain about tightening

theirbeltsandrunningoutofbeer,butwecanfeedtheholdforanothertwomonthsorsoonbiscuitandspringwater.”HeturnedtoHamnir.“Now,PrinceHamnir,here’showwe’llgetyouaway.Ifyouweretomarchoutofthemaingate,you’dhaveeveryorcinthecampafteryou,butthere’sahiddensallyportroundtheback.Itgoesundergroundforabitandcomesupinoneofouroldbarns.”Hegrinned.“Orcssmasheditupabit,andburnttheroofoffit,buttheyneverfoundthedoor.”

“Andthegreenskinswon’tseeuswhenwemarchout?”askedGotrek.“Therearesixhundredofus.”

“That’swhattheseladsarefor,”saidOdgin,jerkingathumboverhisshoulderatthecompanyofBarakVan-cityguard.“It’s themwho’llmarchout thefrontgate,andwhenthegreenskinscomerunningtogetstuckin,youwillslipoutofthesallyportandaway.”

Hamnirblinkedandlookedbackatthedwarfguards.“Theymeantosacrificethemselvesforus?Thatismorethanwewished.I—”

“Oh,itwon’tbeanysacrifice.They’relikethatshort-beardthere,”hesaid,noddingatThorgig.“They’vebeenwanting to come to gripswith the greenskins since this business started.We’ll pullthemoutofthefireonceyou’reaway.They’llgonofurtherthanthegate.”

“Nonetheless,”saidHamnir,“theyputthemselvesindangerinordertohelpus,andIthankthemforit.”

“Thereisn’tadwarfinBarakVarrthatdoesn’twanttoseeKarakHirnrestored,PrinceHamnir,”saidOdgin.“TheHirnholdstheBlackMountainstogether.ItprotectstheBadlands.We’dnotsurvivelongwithoutit.”WhenHamnir ’scolumnreachedthetopoftheFusingRoad,greatgranitedoorsswungoutandtheymarched into thewidecentral courtyardofKazadVarr, amassivelybuiltdwarf fortresswith thickwallsandsquare towersat eachcorner.Felix lookedbehindhim,momentarilydisoriented.Hehadexpectedthedoorstothelongtunneltobebuiltintoacliff-faceormountainside,aswasusualwiththe entrances of dwarf holds, but here there was nomountain. The doors were built into a squat,arrow-slottedstonestructurethatoccupiedthespacewhere,inacastle,thecentralkeepwouldhave

stood.Withinthefortallwascalm.Dwarfquarrellersinblueandgreysurcoatspatrolledthewalls,and

cannoncrewswatchedfromthetowers.Theyhardlyraisedtheirheadswhen,afteradistantthud,anoddlyshapedmissilearcedhighoverthewallandslammed,screaming,intotheflagstones,notthirtyfeettoHamnir ’sleft.

Felixlookedatit.Itwasascrawnygoblinwithaspikedhelmetandpoorlymadeleatherwingstiedtoitsarms.Itsneckwasbrokenanditsbodyburst.Bloodspreadoutfromitinblackrivulets.

“Idiots,”saidGotrek.Felixblinkedathim.“Butyou…ontheship,youdidthesame…”“Imadeit.”As the dwarfs of the Barak Varr city guard continued on towards the main gate, Odgin led

Hamnirandhisarmytowardsthebackoftheforttoastonestables,builtoutfromthebackwall.Atthe rearof the stables,Odginunlockedandopenedapairofbig ironbounddoors.Behind them,abroadrampdescendedintoatunnelthatpassedunderthefortresswall.

“Hold here until the guard is fully engaged and the signal is given,” saidOdgin. “When youleave thebarn,marchstraightahead.Thewestgateof theoldpasturewall isonlyahundredyardsbeyond,andoncethroughit,yourforcewillbeshieldedfromtheeyesoftheorcs.”

Gotrekspat,adisgustedsneertwistinghisface.Felixsmirked.Evenwhenitmadetacticalsense,Gotrekdidn’tcaretohidefromanenemy.

Therewasashortwait.Then,fromacrossthefortresscametheclatterofchainsandgears,andFelixcouldseethehugedoorsofthemaingateswingingoutandtheportcullisrising.Withafierceshout, the Barak Vanguard marched forwards into the mouth of the gate, helms and axe bladesflashinginthemorningsun.

Arisingroarfrombeyondthewallechoedtheirshout.Itgrewlouderandmoresavagewitheachsecond.

“They’veseenthebait,”saidThorgig,chewinghislip.ItlookedtoFelixasiftheyoungdwarfwouldratherbeatthemaingatethanhere.

Soonaftercametheunmistakablesoundoftwoarmiesslammingtogethershieldtoshieldandaxetoaxe.Thorgig’seyesglowed,andtheotherdwarfsshiftedrestlessly,grippingtheirweaponsandmutteringtothemselves.

Gotrek groaned and massaged his temples. “Don’t suppose they could fight quietly?” hegrumbled.

Thesoundofbattleintensified.Felixcouldseeviolentmovementintheopenarchofthemaingate—flashesofsteel,fallingbodies,surginglinesofgreenandgrey.

Finally,aflutterofredcamefromthewallabovethegate—abannerwavingbackandforth.“That’sit,”saidOdgin.“Thewholehorde’scomingnow.Offyougo.”HamnirsalutedOdgin,fistoverhisheart.“Youhavemythanks,OdginStormwall.KarakHirn

willnotforgetthis.”Odgin returned the salute, grinning. “Remember it next timewe come to trade sea pearls for

swordsteel,prince.”Hamnir motioned his troops forward and marched down the ramp into the tunnel. It was a

cramped space compared to the Rising Road, with only room enough for four dwarfs to marchabreast. After less than two hundred paces it ended in another ramp, rising, it seemed, to a blankceiling.

HamnircalledahaltasThorgigsteppedtoaleverintheleftwall.“Companiesready!”calledHamnir.

Thedwarfsdrewtheiraxesandhammers.Quarrellerssetboltsonstrings.Gotrektookadrinkfromhiscanteen.Felixheftedhissword,nervous.

“Open!”calledHamnir.Thorgigpulled the lever.Witharumbleofhiddengears, theceilingroseandsplit,andbright

morningsunlightpouredintothedarkness.Hamnirraisedhisaxe.“Forward,sonsofGrungni!March!”The column started up the ramp, Hamnir in the lead, Gotrek and Felix in the first rankwith

ThorgigandKagrin.Theycameup ina ruinedbam.Thebuildingwas roofless— thewallsmereheapsofrubble.Skeletonsofsheepandcattlewerelitteredeverywhere,bitsofrottingmeatstillstucktothem.

Asthedwarfssteppedfromthebarnandbeganmarchingtowardsthepasturegatedirectlyaheadofthem,Felixlookedaroundattheorccamptotheirright—anendlessclutterofraggedskintents,gutted and toppled outbuildings,make-shift boar pens and refuse, that spread out in all directionsfromthefrontgateofthedwarffortress.Crude,leeringfaceswerepaintedonthetentsinbloodanddung.Fliesbuzzedoverheapsofrottinggarbageonwhichhumanbodiesandboneshadbeentossed.Primitivetotemshungabovethebiggertents,proclaimingthedominanceofthisorthatchieftain.

From all over this shambles, orcs ran towards the main gate. The entire camp seethed withmovement.Warbossesandtheirlieutenantschivviedtheirfractioustroopstowardstheopengatewithcurses,kicksandslaps.Hulkinggreenwarriorssnatcheduptheirweaponsandbeattheirchests.Tinygoblins unleashed fang-toothed, four-legged beasts that looked like deformed pigs. Blood-daubedwarbanners,decoratedwithseveredhumananddwarfheads,wavedaboveswarmsofenragedorcs,allroaringchallenges.

Therewasamobmusteringdirectlybehindastandoftentsjusttotherightofthedwarfcolumn—soclosethatFelixcouldhaveseentheyellowsoftheireyesiftheyhadbeenfacingtowardsthem.

ThebulkofthefortwasbetweenHamnir ’sforceandthemaingate,soitwasimpossibletoseehowwelltheBarakVarrguardswerefaring,butthesoundofsteelonsteelstillranginFelix’sears,soheknewtheyweren’tdeadyet.

Thorgiggroundhisteeth.“Notfair,”hesaid,underhisbreath.Felixshookhishead.Imaginewantingtobeinthewayofthatsavagegreenavalanche.He,for

one,washappytobeslippingoutofthebackdoor.Helookedaround.Theywerealmosthalfwaytothepasturewallgate,butthetailofthecolumnhadnotyetemergedfromthetunnelinthebarn.

Suddenly,fromtheright,cameabelligerentshriek,veryclose.Theentiredwarfcolumnlookedright.Agoblinthathadbeentryingtocorraloneofitsunrulypetshadseenthem.Itturnedtailandran,bug-eyed.Thedwarfquarrellersfired,andascoreofcrossbowboltsflashedafterit.Theyweretoolate.Thelittlegreenskindodgedaroundatentandrantowardsthemusteringorcs,screamingatthetopofhislungs.

“That’sdoneit,”saidadwarfbehindFelix.“Good,”saidThorgig.Orcswereturningandpointingandcallingtotheirmates.Warbosseswerescreamingorders.Hamnircursed.“Doubletime!”heshouted.“Doubletime!Hurryitup!”“Yourunning,shopkeep?”askedGotrekasthedwarfcolumnpickedupitspace.“Can’tstomach

agoodset-toanymore?”“If I losehalfmy troopshere for the sakeof ‘agood set-to’,” snarledHamnir,his face tight,

“whatamItodoatKarakHirn,whenthebattlemeanssomething?”GotrekglaredatHamnir ’slogic,butcontinuedmot-tingalongwiththeothers,muchtoFelix’s

relief.

Theorcswerecoming.Amobofmassivegreen-skinnedwarriorspouredaroundtheshatteredhouses, roaring for dwarf blood, bone and skin totems bobbing like grislymarionettes overhead.Goblinsscamperedintheirwake,longknifesglinting.

Hamnir ’s head swivelled from them to the gate and back. “We’re not going to make it,” hemuttered.“We’renotgoingtomakeit.”

“Thenturnandfight,Grimnircurseyou!”saidGotrek.ThorgiglookeduneasilyatHamnir.“Yourorders,prince?”“Orders,” said Hamnir, as if he didn’t know what the word meant. “Yes, of course. I…” He

lookedaroundagain,eyesshowingwhite.Theorcswerefiftyfeetawayandclosingfast.“Grungnitakeit.Quarrellers,right!Fire!Fire!Column,dressright!”Hisvoicewasthinwithtension.

Thequarrellersfired,andtwentygreenskinswentdown.Therewasnotimeforasecondvolley.The orcswere on them, slamming into the right side of the column in a piecemeal charge as thedwarfsbelatedlyturnedouttofacethem.

Axeandcleavermetblade-to-bladeandhaft-to-haftinanimpactthatFelixcouldfeelthroughhisfeet.Notchedblack ironsmashed throughshiningdwarfmailandsturdydwarfshields,bitingdeepinto dwarf flesh.Gleaming dwarf axes chopped through leather and scrap armour, cleaving greenorc-fleshandshatteringwhiteorc-bone.

Gotrekpushed to the front line and laid about him like a thresher, separatingorcs from theirsinewylimbsandtheirugly,thick-skulledheads.Felixdrewhisdragonsword,Karaghul,andjoinedhim,keeping justoutof thesweepof theSlayer ’sgreataxe.Hestabbedagoblin in themouthandduckedaclublikeatreestump,swungbyanorcwithbrasshoopspiercinghisup-juttingtusks.

Dwarfs fell right and left under the orc onslaught, but the line neverwavered. They took theorcs’savageblowsontheirshieldswithstoicdetermination,andfoughtbackwithgrim,gloweringcalm.Therewerenowildattacks,nodesperatelunges,onlyasteady,relentlessbutcherythatdroppedorcsoneafteranother.EvenHamnirwascalming,as if thephysicalworkofswinginghisaxewassteadyinghim.

A mob of orcs broke and ran, pin-cushioned with bolts and driven back by the dwarfs’implacableattack.Thegangbeside themcaught theirpanicandretreatedaswell,bellowingsavagecurses.

“We’returningthem,”saidHamnir,dodgingbackfromacleaverswipeandcuttingitsowner ’swristtothebone.“Wejustmight—”

Athunderousroarcamefromtheclusteroftents.Felixkickedagoblininthefaceandlookedup.An enormous orcwarbosswas stomping towards the battlewith a crowd of black orc lieutenantssurroundinghim.Hebellowedatthefleeingorcsandpointedanangryfingeratthedwarfcolumn.

Theorcscringedfromhisdispleasureandreluctantlyturnedbacktowardsthedwarfs.“Luckofthedwarfs,”growledHamnir,bashinganorcinthekneewithhisshield.“Thebigone’sputthefearofGorkinthem,”saidGotrek.Heseemedalmostpleased.Thewarboss smashed into the centre of the dwarf column, his blackorcs and the backsliders

besidehim.Hishugecleavercutabloody trench throughacompanyof Ironbreakers. It seemed toglowwithagreenishlight.Deaddwarfsflewback,severedlimbsspinningawayasthebosschoppedand hewed. His black orc lieutenants ploughed in after him. Bolstered by his presence, the orcsattackedwithrenewedfuryallalongthedwarfline.

Hamnir cursedunder his breath. “Youwanted a good set-to,Gurnisson,” he snappedover hisshoulder.“Onyourway,then.”

Gotrek was already out of earshot, charging down the column towards the rampaging orcchieftain.Felixhurriedafterhim,asdidThorgigandKagrin.

“Wanttoseethecrestedcowardinaction,”Thorgiggrunted.“Maybehe’llpunchtheorcinthenosewhenheisn’tready.”

Kagrinsmirked,butsaidnothing.Thewarbosswashuge—twicetheheightofadwarf,andnearlyaswideasitwastall.Itsarmour

wasapatchworkofscrapmetalandlootedplate.Dwarfbreastplatesserveditforshoulderpieces.Anecklaceof staringhumanheadshungaround its tree-trunkneck,woven togetherby theirhair.AsGotrek andFelixgot closer,Felixheard an angry, high-pitched screaming, and realised itwas theboss’green-glowingcleaver,keeningforblood.TherunesonGotrek’saxeglowedredasitnearedthefellweapon.

All around the brute was chaos — dwarf warriors pushing forwards to get into the fight,quarrellersanglingtogetaclearshot,thewarboss’hulkinglieutenantshackingandchoppingrightandleft,tryingtowinfavourwithfeatsofmadsavagery.

Thewarbosscutadwarfintwo,thecleaverslicingthroughthewarrior ’sheavyring-mailasifitwerebutter.Themetalliterallymeltedandflowedatitstouch.

Gotrekleaptuponapileofdwarfbodiesandswunghisaxe,itsrunestrailingred.Theorcthrewuphiscleaverandtheweaponscametogetherinashiveringclash.Sparksflew.Thecleavershriekedlike a wounded daemon. The warboss roared and lashed out, furious at being thwarted. Gotrekblockedandbashedback,andtheaxeandcleaverbeganweavingawhirlingcageofsteelandironasheandtheorchackedandcountered.

Theboss’blackorclieutenantssurgedforwards,howlingforblood.Felix,ThorgigandKagrinclosedwith themtoprotectGotrek’s flanks.Felixdodgedaserratedaxeswungbyaone-eyedorc,thensteppedinandstabbedthemonsterinitsremainingeye.Itbellowedinrageandpain,strikingoutblindly inalldirections.Awild swingguttedoneof its comrades.Twomorekilled it and thrust itbehindthem.

Felix jumpedbackas theorcsslashedathim.Therewasnosenseparrying.Themassiveaxeswouldonlyshatterhisbladeandnumbhisarm.OnGotrek’sleft,Thorgigbashedanorc’sclubasidewith his shield and chopped through its knee. It toppled like a tree.A cleaver caught thewings ofThorgig’shelmetandknockeditflying.Heblockedanotherattackwithhisaxe.Theforceoftheblownearlyflattenedhim.Kagrin,whohadbeenhangingback,dartedinandgashedtheorcinthesidewithabeautifullymadehandaxe.Thorgigfinisheditoff.

Gotrekparriedanotherswingofthewarboss’cleaver,thenturnedhisaxesoitscreecheddownthe cleaver ’s haft and severed the orc’s fingers. They dropped away like fat green grubs, and theglowingcleaverfell.Thewarbossroaredandfumbleduselesslyforitwithitsbloodystumps.Gotrekjumpedupontoitskneeandsplititsbonyskulldowntoitssternum.

TheblackorcsstaredasGotrekrodethehugeorc’scollapsingbodytotheground,andtwodiedfromdwarf axes before they recovered themselves. Three leapt atGotrek, all trying to reach himfirst.Hefannedthembackwithhisaxeandsnatchedupthewarboss’cleaver.Itcrackledwithangrygreenenergywhereittouchedhisskin.Gotrekdidn’tflinch.

“Who’sthenextboss?”hecalled.“Whowantsit?”Asthethreeblackorcsadvancedagain,Gotrektossedthehummingcleaverbehindthem.They

liftedtheireyes,followingitsarc,thenturnedanddived,elbowingandpunchingeachothertogetatit.Theotherlieutenantslookedbackatthecommotionandsawthefirstthreefightingforthecleaver.Theyroaredandjoinedthescuffle,theirdwarfopponentsforgotten.

Thedwarfspressedforwards,swingingfortheorcs’backs,butGotrekthrewoutahand.“Don’tengage!”heshouted.“Letthemfight.”Thedwarfssteppedback.Theorcbrawlwasturningdeadly.Oneofthelieutenantsburiedhisaxe

in thechestofanother.Otherswerebellowingfor theirfollowers tocometo theiraid.Orcsbeganpeeling away from their fights all along the dwarf column to rally to their leaders. Felix saw theglowingcleavercutanorc’sheadoff,butitswielderwasstabbedinthebackandanothertookitup.

Gotrekwipedhisaxeonthetrampledgrass.“That’sdoneit,”hesaid,satisfied,andstartedtothefrontofthecolumnagain.Felixjoinedhim.

ThorgigglaredatGotrek’sbackasheretrievedhisdentedhelmetandfollowedwithKagrin.HeseemeddisappointedthattheSlayerhadprevailed.

More andmoreorcsweredeserting thedwarf line to join the scrumover the cleaver.Otherswerefightingamongstthemselves.BythetimeGotrekandFelixrejoinedHamnir,thedwarfs’lineofmarchwasclear.

Hamnirgrunted, reluctantly impressed.“Thoughtyou’d take theSlayer ’sway,and try to fightthemallwhilewediedbehindyou.”

“Isworetoprotectyou,”Gotreksaid,coldly.“Idon’tbreakmyoaths.”Thecolumnstartedforwardsastheorcsfoughton.

CHAPTERFOURThedwarfs’mood,alreadygrimbecauseof thecasualties theorcshad inflictedupon themduringtheirexit fromBarakVarr,grewgrimmerstill thedeeper they travelled into theBadlands.Thoughtheysawfeworcs,signsoftheirrampagewereeverywhere.

The landhadbeenplaguedby theorchordesforas longasdwarfsandmenhadsettled there.Theirinvasionswereascommonasspringfloods,andalmostaspredictable,andthehardyfolkoftheplainsprotected themselves from themas if froma storm.The few settlements huddled tightlyaround strong keeps, intowhich the farmers and their livestock could retreatwhen the greenskinscame.Theretheywouldwaitouttheravagingoftheirfarmsuntilthesavagetidereceded,thenreturntotheirlandandrebuild.

This time,becausesomanymenanddwarfshadgonenorth to fight, ithadbeenmuchworse.Therehadbeennoone tostop them,and theorcshadfollowedtheir lust forslaughterwherever ittook them.Thedevastationwasentirely random.Hamnir ’s armycameuponvillagesburned to theground, everyone slain, and then, not five miles on, others absolutely untouched, the farmersharvestingtheirfieldswithnervouseyesstrayingtothehorizonandlook-outspostedoneveryhill.

Theypassed castleswithbannerswaving, andothers thatwerenothingbut charred ruins.Thefarmsandhousesaroundthesewererazedtotheground,thepickedbonesofthepeasantsandtheirfamiliesstrewnabouttheblackenedcirclesofcookingfires.Nothingediblewasleftwheretheorcshad been.Livestock had been eaten, fruit trees and grain bins stripped, hogsheads of ale andwinedrainedandsmashed.

Theonlymenwhohadn’tbeenthrownintothestewpotwerethosewhohadbeenusedforsport.Rottingcorpses in ruinedarmourhadbeennailed,spread-eagled, to trees,crude targetspaintedontheirchests.Dozensofblackarrowsstuckoutofthem.Mosthadmissedthebulls-eye.Othercorpseshungfromthebattlementsofcastlesaswarnings,savagelymutilated.

Itwasagrimmarch,andGotrekwasgrimcompany,evenmoretaciturnanddourthanusual.Hekept as far from Hamnir as he could, walking at the back near the baggage train, while Hamnirmarchedatthehead.OnlywhenthescoutsreportedorcsorotherdangersinthevicinitydidGotrekreturntothefrontandtakeupaguardpositionnearhisoldcompanion.

TheSlayerspoketoFelixhardlymorethantoHamnir.Heseemedentirelywithdrawn,staringatthegroundaheadofhimashemarched,andmutteringunderhisbreath,ignoringFelixentirely.Theother dwarfs ignored him too, eyeing him warily if they looked at him at all. Felix couldn’trememberanyothertimeinhistravelswithGotrekwhenhefeltmoreofanoutsider,morealone.Onall theirotheradventures, therehadbeenat leasta fewotherhumanswith them—Max,Ulrica—thoughshewasn’thumananymore,wasshe?Here,heseemedtheonlymemberofhisspeciesforahundredleagues.Itwasastrange,lonelyfeeling.

Ateverystop,whiletheotherdwarfssmokedpipesorcookedupsausagesandmushrooms,ortooktheirease,andFelixpennedtheday’seventsinhisjournal,Thorgig’ssilentfriendKagrintookout a gold-trimmed dagger and a set of tiny files, chisels and gouges, and worked impossiblyintricatedesignsintothepommelandcrosspiece.Hedidtheseentirelyfreehand,andyettheworkwasperfectlysymmetricalandprecise, theepitomeof theangulargeometric style thedwarfs favoured.Eventheotherdwarfswereimpressed,stoppinginthemiddleofsettinguptheirtentstowatchhimworkandgivehimpraiseoradvice.Hetookbothwithoutaword,onlynoddingcurtlyandbendingevenmoreintentlyoverhiswork.

Felixwatchedhimtoo,asmuchforhisoddityashisworkmanship.Hehadneverseenaquieter

dwarf.Theraceasawholeseemedborntoblusterandbrag,butKagrinhardlyeverraisedhiseyes,letalonehisvoice.Ononeortwooccasions,however,FelixcaughtKagrinfrowningathim,onlytolookawayassoonasFelixmethiseyes.OtherdwarfsinthecampstaredatFelixaswell,belligerent,challenging glares as if they were offended by his mere presence and asking him to defend theexistenceofhiswholerace.Kagrin’sgazewasdifferent—morecuriousthanangry.

Then,on the eveningof the forthday, after theyhadmade campandeatendinner,Kagrin satdownnearFelixandbegantoworkonthedaggerasusual.Ittookhimanhouroffilingandtoolingbefore,atlast,helookedupatFelixandclearedhisthroat.

“Aye,goldsmith?”saidFelix,whenKagrinfailedtospeak.Kagrin looked around, as if fearful of being overheard. “Er, I… Iwished to ask, as you are

human…” He trailed off. Felix was about to prompt him again when he finally found his voice,rumblingalmostinaudibly.“Are…aredwarfswellthoughtofinthelandsofmen?”

Felix paused. He didn’t know what question he had been expecting, but that wasn’t it. Hescratchedhishead.“Er,well,yes,generally.Theircraftsmanshipishighlypraised,asistheirhonourandsteadfastness.Therearesomeamongthelesslearnedwholookupondwarfswithsuspicionandjealousy,butmosttreatthemwithgreatrespect.”

Kagrin seemed heartened by this answer. “And… and there are places where dwarfs livepeacefullybesidemen?”

Felixlookedathimsurprised.“TherehavebeendwarfenclavesinthecitiesoftheEmpireforathousandyears.Youhaven’theardofthem?”

Kagrin’sshoulderstightenedandhelookedaroundagain.“Shhh!Aye,Ihave,butI’veheard…I’vehearditsaidthatdwarfsmustlockthemselvesinatnight,forfearofmenouttomurderandrobthem.Theysaydwarfshavebeenburntatthestakeasenemiesofman.”

“Whosaysthis?”askedFelix,frowning.“Dwarfsofmyclan.”“Ah.”Felixnodded.“ForgivemeifIimpugnthemotivesofyourclanbrothers,butperhapsthey

are reluctant to lose a goldsmith of your calibre, and tell you tall tales of the barbarity ofman todissuadeyoufromleaving.”

“Ihaven’tspokenofleaving!”hissedKagrinangrily.Hisfistsclenched.“Of course not, of course not,” saidFelix holding up his palms. “I can see that you are only

curious.So,er,tosatisfythatcuriosity:Ihaveneverheardofdwarfsbeingburntatthestakeorcalledenemiesofmen.Itistruethattherehavebeenaccountsofmobs—instigatedusuallybyjealousanddesperate smiths— attacking dwarf houses, but it is rare. I haven’t heard of it happening in thiscenturyatall.DwarfsarelongestablishedintheEmpire.Mostofthesepassionscooledlongago.AdwarfwhodidcontemplatesettingupshopintheEmpirewouldhavelittlefearoftrouble,andgreatprospectsforsuccess,particularlyifhewasasskilledagoldsmithas…well,assomeIcouldname.”

Kagrinnoddedbrusquely,andthenshotaguiltylooktowardsThorgig,whosatwithahandfulofotherdwarfs,playingagamewithstonepawnsanddice.

HeturnedbacktoFelixandbowedhishead.“Thankyou,human.You…youhave,er,satisfiedmycuriosity.”

Felixnodded.“Mypleasure.”HewatchedafterKagrinashegathereduphistoolsandretiredtohistent.Itwasstrangetothink

ofsomeonewhonodoubthadthirtyyearsonhim,asa“poorlad”,butFelixcouldn’thelpit.ItwasclearthatKagrinfelttornbetweenthelureofthewideworldandthebondsoffriendshipandfamily.Hehadahardroadaheadofhim,whateverroadhechose.Felixwishedhimwell.Aftersixdaysmarchingattheslowbutsteadydwarfpace,theBlackMountains,whichhadbeenalow

saw-toothed line on the horizon when the dwarfs had left Barak Varr, filled the northern sky, anendlesslineofgiants thatstoodshoulder toshoulderforasfaras theeyecouldseetotheeastandwest.Darkgreenskirtsofthickpineforestsweptuptothetoweringblackgranitecragsthatgavetherangeitsname.Theirsnowypeaksshonebloodredinablazingsunset.

“Home,”saidThorgig,inhalinghappilyashegazedupatthesplendidpeaks.Formountaingoats,thoughtFelix,groaningatthethoughtofalltheclimbingtowhichhewould

soonbesubjected.Acoldwindblewdownofftheslopes.Hepulledhisoldredcloaktighteraroundhimandshivered.

Andperhapsheshiveredforreasonsotherthanthecold,for,althoughthedwarfsthoughtfondlyoftheplaceashome,itstirredinFelixlesspleasantfeelings.IthadbeennotfarfromherethatGotrekandFelixhadhelpedtheill-fatedBaronvonDiehltrytofoundasettlement,onlytohaveitrazedtothegroundbywolf-ridinggreenskins.AtFortvonDiehlGotrekhadlosthiseye,andFelixhadlosthisfirstlove.Heshookhishead,tryingtokeepherghostatbay.Kirsten.Hewishedhehadn’tbeenabletorememberhername.

“ThereisRodenheimCastle,”saidHamnir,alittlefurtheron,pointingtoastern,squat-toweredcastleperchedononeoftheforest-coveredfoothillsthatsplayedoutfromthemountainslikeclaws.“ItisagreatshamethatBaronRodenheimwon’tbeamongthosewhomusterheretohelpus.HewasatrueDwarfFriend.Mayhisgodsreceivehim.”

Thearmystarteduptheweedycarttrackthatwoundupthehilltothecastle,andsoonbegantoseesignsofitsdemise.Thelittlevillagethatclungtotheslopesbelowitwasshatteredandburned,thestonehousesrooflessandtoppled,theshrinesdesecrated.Crackedboneswereheapedincornerslikesnowdrifts. A horrible stench came from the town well. Flies hovered above it. The red twilightpainted the scenewith a bloodybrush.Felixhad seen a lot of slaughter and ruin inhis yearswithGotrek,soitnolongerturnedhisstomach,butitneverfailedtodepresshim.

Thecastletoowastheworseforwear.Thoughitswallsstillstood,theywerescorchedandblackinplaces, andgreat chunkshadbeenknockedoff thebattlements.Flagswith the insigniaofKarakHirnflewovertheroofsofburnedtowers.

Asthedwarfarmyapproached,ahornechoedfromthewalls,andFelixcouldseestoutfigurescarryinglong-gunsmarchingtotheirpositionsbehindthecrenellations.Torchesflaredtolifeabovethem,revealingdwarfcrewsreadyingcatapultsandtrebuchetsandkettlesofboilinglead.Thehornwasansweredbyanother,followedbycriesandcommandsfromwithin.

Awhite-beardedThundererinwellwornchainmailclimbedontothebattlementsabovethegate,his finger on the trigger of his gun. “No closer, by Grimnir!” he bellowed, when the head ofHamnir ’scolumnhadcomeinrange.“Notuntilyouannounceyourselfandyourpurpose!”

“Hail,Lodrim!” calledHamnir. “It isPrinceHamnirRanulfson, and I’ve brought six hundredbravedwarfvolunteers.Haveweleavetoenter?”

The Thunderer leaned forwards, blinking myopically. “Prince Hamnir? Is it you? Valaya bepraised!” He turned and shouted over his shoulder. “Open the gates! Open the gates! It’s PrinceHamnir,comewithreinforcements!”

Withacreakingofwinches,theportculliswentupandthedrawbridgecamedown.Bothshowedsignsofrecentbattle,butalsofreshrepair.

Evenbefore the bridgehad thudded to rest, a dwarfwas running across it, armsoutstretched.“Hamnir!”hecried.“Prince!”

Hewastallforadwarf—almostfourandahalffeet,andpowerfullybuilt.Hisrecedingbrownhairwaspulledbackinaclub,andbrightwhiteteethflashedthroughathickbeardthatspilleddownhisbarrelchesttohisbelt.

“Gorril!Wellmet!”saidHamnir,asthetwodwarfsembracedandslappedeachother ’sbacks.“Iamrelievedtoseeyoualive,”saidGorril.“AndI,you,”repliedHamnir.Gorril stepped back and bowed, grinning. “Come, prince, enter your hold, meagre human

surfacehutthoughitmaybe.”Heturnedtotheclusterofdwarfwarriorswhostoodinthecastledoor.“Awaywith you! Prepare PrinceHamnir ’s quarters!And see if you can find beds for six hundredmore!”

Hamnirturnedandsignalledthecolumnforwards,thenstrodewithGorrilthroughthegatesandintothecastle’scourtyard,asGotrekandFelix,Thorgigandtherestmarchedinafter.Theyardwascrowdedwithcheeringdwarfs,andmorewerepouringfromeverydoor,allhailingHamnirandthenewtroops.

“Youmadeitunscathed?”askedGorrilastheypushedthroughthecrowdofwellwishers.“Some troublewith orcs aswe left BarakVarr,” saidHamnir. “Nothing since.”He looked at

Gorrilhopefully.“AnywordofFerga?”“Ormyfather?”askedThorgig,urgently.Gorril’s brow clouded. “None. I’m sorry.” He gave Thorgig a sympathetic look. “You and

KagrinaretheonlydwarfsoftheDiamondsmithclantohaveescaped.Manydiedinthedefence,andyourfatherisbelievedtohavelockedtheothersinhishold.Theymaystilllive,thoughfoodwillbegrowingshort.”

Thorgigclenchedhisfists.“Ishouldbewiththem.Iftheyarehurt…”“Youcan’tblameyourself,”saidGorril.“Youheldyourpositionasordered,andthentherewas

nogoingback.”“ThenIshouldhavedied.”Hamnirlaidahandontheyoungdwarfsshoulder.“Easynow.Iftheworsthashappened,atleast

we will have opportunity to avenge them.” He looked around at the cheering crowd and noddedapprovinglyatGorril.“Thorgigtoldmeyouweresendingforaid.Itseemsyouweresuccessful.”

Gorrilmadeaface.“Notsomanyaswecouldhavewished.Theotherholdshadn’tmanydwarfstospare.Toomanygonenorth.”Heshrugged.“Butlet’sleavethatfortomorrow,aye?Tonight’sforfeasting!”

Heturnedtothecrowd.“Settheboard,youlayabouts.Yourprincehascomehome!”Therewasagreatcheerandaxesandfistswerethrustintheair.ButasGorrilledHamnirtoward

thekeep,twodwarfspushedforward.“PrinceHamnir,”saidthefirst,ahammererwithabraidedredbeard.“Asleaderofthisthrong,

weaskyoutodismissthedwarfsoftheGoldhammerClan,whohavedishonouredthegoodnameofthe Deephold Clan by denying my great-great-great-grandfather the rightful command of hisIronbeardsinthebattleofBloodwaterGrotto,fifteenhundredyearsago!”

“Don’tlistentohim,prince,”saidtheotherdwarf,abroadshoulderedminerwithjuttingblondeyebrows. “We are guilty of nothing but common sense. A troll had his great-great-great-grandfather ’sarmoffattheshoulderbeforethatbattle.Whatwasmygreat-great-great-grandfathertodo?Ageneralmustthinkofwhatisbestforthebattle.We—”

Twootherdwarfspushedinfrontofthefirsttwo.“Prince,youmusthearusfirst!”criedone,aburly, black-bearded ironbreaker. “Their paltry dispute is nothing compared to the feud that existsbetweenweofthe—”

“Enough!”roaredGorril,wavingthemallaway.“Willyoubadgertheprincebeforehehashishelmetoff?Hamnirwillholdcounciltomorrowandheargrievancesthen.Surelygrudgesthathavestoodforathousandyearscanwaitonemoreday.”

Thedwarfsgrumbledtheirdispleasure,butsteppedaside.GorrilrolledhiseyesatHamnir.“Ithasbeenlikethissincetheothersbegantoarrive.Allwant

tohelp.Nonewanttoworkwithanyoneelse.”“Itneverchanges,”saidHamnir.Gotrekgrunted,disgusted.

“Tellmewhathappened,”saidHamnir.“ThorgigandKagrintolduswhattheyknewwhentheycametoBarakVarr,buttheirstorieswereabit…confused.”

Thefeastwasover,andHamnir,Gorril,GotrekandFelix,andahandfulofthesurvivorsfromKarakHirnweregathered inBaronRodenheim’sprivate apartments,whichhadbeen set aside forHamnir,todiscussthecomingaction.

DespiteGorril’swords,ithadn’tbeenmuchofafeast,assupplieswerelow,butthedwarfshaddonetheirbest,andnoneattheheadtablehadwantedforfoodorale.Felixhadhadanuncomfortabletimeofit,forthedwarfs,beinghandywiththeirtools,andunwillingtosuffertheindignityoftryingtousehuman-scalefurniture,hadsawndownthelegsofallthetablesandchairsinthekeep’sgreathall so that they better fit their short, broad frames. Felix had eaten his dinner with his knees uparoundhisears,andhisbackachedabominably.

Now,tiredfromthelongdaysofmarching,andabitdrunkfromthemanytoaststhathadbeendrunktoHamnirandKarakHirnandthesuccessofthemission,henoddeddrowsilyinanunscathedhigh-backedchair,whiletheotherstalkedandsmokedbythefireinchairseditedfordwarfuse.

Gorrilsighed.“Itwasabadbusiness,andverystrange…verystrange.”Hesuckedathispipe.“Theorcscameupfromourmines,butnotlikeanytimebefore:notinagreatscreamingrushthatwecouldhearcomingfromthehighestgallery,notfightingamongstthemselves,andnotstoppingtoeat the fallenand raid thealecellar.Theycamesilentandorganised.Theykneweverydefencewehad: allour alarms, allour traps, andallour locks.Theyknew themall. It’s almost as if theyhadtorturedthesecretsoutofoneofus,ortherewasatraitorinthehold,butthat’simpossible.Nodwarfwouldgivesecretstothegrobi,notevenundertorture.Itwas…itwas…”

“Eerie,iswhatitwas,”saidawhite-beardeddwarf,anancientveterannamedRuen,withfadingblue tattoos at hiswrists and neck. “In seven hundred years, I’ve never seen grobi act so. It’s notnatural.”

Felixnotedthat,likeRuen,mostofthesurvivorswerewhite-hairedLongbeards,toocrippledorenfeebled to follow King Alrik north to the war. Younger dwarfs had stayed behind as well, forsomeonehadtoguardtheholdwhilethekingwasaway,butmostofthosehaddieddefendingitwhentheorcscame.

“They came when we slept, and destroyed two clan-holds outright— slaughtered everyone,dwarf, woman and child,” said Gorril, his jaw tight. “The Forgefire and Proudhelm clans are nomore.Therewerenosurvivors.”

Hamnir ’shandsclenched.“As I said,” continuedGorril, “ThaneHelmgardwas seen to order theDiamondsmith clan to

lockthemselvesin.Wedon’tknowiftheyweresuccessful.”“Thenthereisatleastachance,”saidHamnir,moretohimselfthantheothers.Hesatlostinhis

thoughtsforamoment,andthenlookedup.“Howdoesitstandnow?Whatdoweface?”“Theorcsdefendtheholdaswellaswedid,”Gorrillaughedbitterly,“perhapsbetter.Ourscouts

report that themain doors arewhole and locked, and theywere shot at from the arrow slits.Orcpatrolscirclethemountain,andtherearepermanentguardswatchingallapproaches.”Heshookhishead.“AsRuensaid,theydon’tbehavelikeorcs.Nofightingamongstthemselves.Nogettingboredandwanderingfromtheirposts.It’suncanny.”

Gotreksnorted.“So theyhavesomestrongbossorshamanwho’sscared theminto toeing the

line,butthey’restillgrobi.They’llcrackifwepressthemhardenough.”Gorrilshookhishead.“It’smorethanthat.Youhaven’tseen.”“Well,Ibetterseequick,”Gotrekgrowled.“Iwanttobedonewiththisscuffleandheadingnorth

beforeIlosemychanceatanotherdaemon.”“We’lltrynottoinconvenienceyou,Slayer,”saidHamnirdryly.HeturnedtoGorril.“Havewea

map?”“Aye.”Gorril tooka largerollofvelumandspread itonashortened tablebetween thedwarfs.They

leaned forwards. Felix didn’t bother to look. He had seen dwarf maps before. They wereincomprehensiblepatternsofintersectinglinesindifferentcoloursthatlookednothinglikeanyplanFelixhadeverseen.Thedwarfsporedoveritasifitwasasclearasapainting.

“So,theyguardthemaindoor,”saidHamnir,hisfingersmovingoverthevelum,“andthehighpasturegate?”

“Aye.Theyateoursheepandrams,”saidahunchedolddwarf.“We’llneedtobuynewbreedingstock.”

“Andthemiddengate?Thatletsoutintotheriver?”“Threeminerswentupitfivedaysago,tohavealook.Theycamebackdowninpieces.”“What ofDukGrungmine?” asked an oldThundererwith an iron-grey beard. “The undgrin

connectsittoourmines.Thegrobicameupatusfrombelow.Wecoulddothesametothem.”Hamnir shook his head. “Its three days to the mine, Lodrim, and then two days back

underground,iftheundgrinisclear.TheDiamondsmithclanmaystarvebythen,andthegrobimightguard thewayfromtheminesasstronglyas theyguard the frontdoor.”He tapped themapwithastubbyfinger.“DotheypatroltheZhufgrimScarpside?”

“Whyshould they?”askedGorril. “It’s a sheer face fromCauldronLake toGam’sSpire, andthere’snoentrancetothehold.”

“Yesthereis,”saidHamnir,withaslysmile.“There’sthepassagetooldBirrisson’sgyrocopterlanding.Youremember?Neartheforges.”

“You’reoutofdate, lad,” saidoldRuen. “Thatholewas closedupwhenyour father took thethrone.Doesn’tholdnotruckwithsuchmodernnonsense,yourda.Heburntallthosenoisemakerstotheground.”

“Aye,”saidHamnir,nodding.“HetoldBirritowallitup,butBirriisanengineer,andyouknowengineers.Hewantedtokeeponeofthegyrocopters,andtohaveaplacetoworkonallthetoysmyfatherfrownedupon.So,hewalledupthepassageatbothends,butsetsecretdoorsinthem,andmadeaworkshopofit.”

“What’sthis?”criedGorril.“Theoldfoolbuiltanunprotecteddoorintothehold?”Theotherdwarfsweremutteringangrilyundertheirbreath.“It’sprotected,”saidHamnir,“engineerfashion.”“Whatdoesthatmean,praytell,”askedLodrimdryly.Hamnirshrugged.“Thatsecretdoorhasbeenbytheforgesforahundredyears,andnoneofyou

havefoundit.Theoneonthemountainfaceisascunninglyconcealed.Ifdwarfscan’tfindit,couldgrobi?AndBirriseteverytrickandtrapanengineercanconceiveofinside.Iftheyfoundtheouterdoor,they’dbechoppedmeatbeforetheygottheinner.”

“Itisn’tenough,”saidLodrim.“Howdoyouknowofthis,youngHamnir,”askedoldRuen,“andwhydidyoukeepsuchagrave

crimefromyourfather ’sknowledge?”

Hamnircolouredabitandlookedathishands.“Well,asyouknow,I’mnotsomuchmyfather ’sson—not thewaymyolder brother is. Perhaps it’s because he is crownprince, and I amonly asecondson,butIamnotsohideboundwhenitcomestotradition.Iwasonlyaboythen.Ilikedthegyrocopters,andallofBirrisson’scontraptions.OnenightIcaughthimsneakingthroughthesecretdoor.Hebeggedmenottotellmyfather.Iagreed,aslongasheagreedtoteachmehowtoflythegyrocopter,andtogivemeuseofthesecretworkshop.”

“But,lad,thedanger,”saidLodrim,“toyou,andtothehold.”Hamnirspreadhishands.“Imakenoexcuses.IknowIwaswronginthis,aswasBirri,butI…

well,Ilikedhavingasecretfrommyfather.Ilikedhavingaplacetogothatnooneelseknewof.ItookFergathereafewtimes.”Hesmiledwistfully,hiseyesfaraway,andthenrousedhimself.“Thepointis,nomatterhowthegrobilearnedourhold’ssecrets,thisisonesecretthatonlyIandoldBirriandafewofhisapprenticesknow,andnoonecanmakeanengineertalk.Theyarethekeepersofthesecretsofahold’sdefence.Grimnirwoulddenythemaplaceinthehallsofourancestors.”Hamnirtappedthemapagain.“Thegrobiwon’tbedefendingthisdoor.Ifasmallforcecanenterthere,andthensneakthroughtheholdandopenthefrontdoorfor themainforce, theywillnotstandagainstus.”

Gorrilnodded.“Aye. It isourowndefences thatdefeatus,not thegrobi. Ifwecanbreachourwalls,theyarefinished.”

Thedwarfsstaredatthemap,thinking.“It’llbecertaindeathforthosethatopenthedoor,”saidRuen.“Aye,”saidHamnir.“Likely.”Gotreklookedup.Felixthoughthehadbeenasleep.“Certaindeath?I’min.”Felixgroaned.Wonderful.Gotrekneverseemedtoconsiderhowhisremembererwasgoingto

livetotellhistalewhenhemadethesedecisions.“Youarewillingtodietoaidme?”askedHamnir.“Areyouinsultingmeagain,oathbreaker?”snarledGotrek.“I’maSlayer.I’dbefulfillingtwo

vowswithonedeed.”Hesighedandloweredhischintohischestagain.“NotthatI’lldie,ofcourse,Grimnircurseit.Notatthehandsofgrobi.ButatleastIwon’thavetoendureyourpresence.”

Thedwarfs in the roomglared andgrumbled to hear their prince so abused, butHamnir justsighed.“AndIwon’thavetoendureyours,”hesaid,“soit’sallforthebest.Good.”

“It’lltakemorethanonedwarftodothedeed,”saidGorril,“nomatterhowstrong.TwoleversintwoseparateroomsmustbepulledsimultaneouslytoopentheHornGate,andotherswillneedtoholdofftheorcswhilethey’repulled.”

Hamnir nodded. “We’ll ask for volunteers at the council tomorrow. That is if we are agreedhere?”

Theotherdwarfsstillseemeduncertain.Atlast,oldRuenshrugged.“It’saplan,whichismorethanwehadbefore.Isupposeit’llhaveto

do.”“Idon’tcaretoputthefateoftheholdinthehandsofadwarfwhoseemstocaresolittleforits

survival,”saidtheThunderer,Lodrim,glaringatGotrek,“butIhaven’tabetteridea,soI’llsecondit.”

Theothersnodded,butwithlittleenthusiasm.Hamnirsatback,weary.“It’ssettled,then.We’llworkoutthedetailsbeforecouncil.Now…now

I’mtobed.”Herubbedhisfacewithahandandsmoothedhisbeard.“I’veadozengrudgestotrytosortouttomorrow,Valayasaveme.”

CHAPTERFIVEGotrek’sjawclenchedandunclenchedoverandover.Hislegbouncedrestlesslyashetippedbackinhis sawn-off chair. Felix had his journal open, and was reading through his Araby entries.Rodenheim’sdininghallwasagainfullofdwarfs,butnotforameal.Therepresentativesofthedwarfcompanies sent from the various holds sat before the head table where Hamnir, Gorril and otherleadersofKarakHirn’srefugeespresided.Allwerewaitingtoheartheplanofbattlefortheretakingof the hold, but before they could proceed to strategy, there were grudges to be resolved thatdeterminedwhowould fightalongsidewhom,and if somewarriorswould returnhomebefore thebattlestarted.

Sofar,Hamnirhadprovedanadmirablenegotiator,andeachoftheninegrudgeshehadheardhadbeenresolved,oratleastpostponeduntilafterKarakHirnhadbeenretakenorthebattlelost.Itwasa longprocess,however.Theyhadbeenat it since justafterbreakfast,and lunchwasadistantmemory.Theheatofthehall’senormousfireplacewasmakingFelixdrowsy.Hewashavingtroublekeepinghiseyesopen.

“Yousay thealedeliveredwasnotof thequalityyouwere led tobelieve?”askedHamnir.Herestedhischeekonhisfist,lookingboredandfrustrated.

“Itwasundrinkable!”saidasandy-beardeddwarfwithabellythatsuggestedheknewquiteabitaboutale.“Thedouble-dealingHardstoneclanpromiseduswewouldbepaidinBugman’sBest.TheysentusBug-man’sworst,ifitwasBugman’satall.”

“Ifthealewasundrinkable,”saidafierce-looking,black-haireddwarfinayellowdoublet,“thenitwasdamagedintransit,foritwasinprimeconditionwhenwesampledabarrelbeforesendingitoff.TheWide-beltclanshouldtakeupthisdisputewiththetradersthatwecommissionedtotransportit.”

“Thisisfools’work,”growledGotrekunderhisbreath.“Weshouldbemarchingnottalking.IfRanulfsson were the leader his father was, these hair-splitters wouldn’t remember their grudges.They’dberallyingaroundhisbannerandhowlingfororcblood.”

IttookanothertenminutesforHamnirtoresolvethedispute,andrequiredallhiscunninganddiplomacy to shame the twodwarfs into settingaside thematterof the ruinedale.Gotrekgrowledunderhisbreaththewholetime,shootingdangerouslooksatalltheparticipants.

Whenatlastanaccordhadbeenreached,Hamnirsighedandlookedaroundthehall.“Now,arethereanyotherclanswhoareatissue,ormayweproceedwiththeorderofbattle?”

“Have you forgotten us, prince?” said a white-haired dwarf with blue eyes, jumping up. Hisbeardwasamagnificentsnow-whitefield.

Anotherdwarfwithhishairinlonggreybraidsthathungbeforehisearswasonhisfeetonlyasecond later,glaringat the first. “Aye,prince.Youhavenotyet takenup the issueof theShieldofDrutti.”

Hamnir groaned, as did the entire room.Gotrek growled, but although the assembled dwarfswereimpatient,theyhadtoomuchrespectfortheinstitutionofthegrudge,andforthesacreddutyofeverydwarftoresolveeverygrudgerecordedinhisclan’sbook,tocomplain,sotheydidnothingbutgrumbleandfoldtheirarmsandsettlebackintheirseats.

“I craveyourpardon,KirgiNarinsson,” saidHamnir to thewhite-beardeddwarf, “andyours,UlfgartHaginskarl,”hesaidtotheother.“Remindmeofthegrudge.Ithasbeenalongday.”

Thedwarfwith thegreybraidsbowed.“Thankyou,prince.Weof theStonemongerclanbeargrudgeagainsttheIronskinclanforstealingfromustheShieldofDrutti,whichhadbeenagiftfrom

Gadrid Ironskin, the father of their clan, toHulgir Stonemonger, the father of ours, two thousandyearsago,asatokenofthankswhenHulgirrescuedGadrid’sdaughterfromtrolls.”

“Itwasnotagift!”barkedKirgi.“Therewereno trolls! Itwasanaffairofbusiness,pureandsimple.Ourclan-fathertradedtheshieldtothetreacherousHulgirforminingrightsintheRufgrungdeeps.Rightswhichwerenevergiven.”

Gotrek’slegwasbouncinglikeasteamhammer.FelixcouldheartheSlayer ’steethgrinding.“Isthattheshieldinquestion?”askedHamnir,pointingbehindKirgitoanIronskindwarfwho

heldamassive,rune-carvedshieldathisside.“Aye!”criedUlfgart,angrily.“Theydaretoflaunttheirstolengoodsbeforeusandexpectusto

—”“Wedidnot steal it!Wemerely tookbackwhatwas rightfullyours.Whenyoupayuswhat is

owed,wewillgladlyreturnittoyou.Itwasourclanfather ’shonest,trustingnaturethat—”“Right! That’s it!” said Gotrek, standing suddenly and taking up his axe. He crossed to the

IronskintableandsnatchedtheShieldofDruttifromitssurprisedkeeperasifitweighedasmuchasapotlid.

“I’llsolvethisgrudge!”hesaid,andthrewtheshieldonthefloorandchoppeditinhalfwithhisaxe,hewingwoodandironwithequalease.Hethensplitthehalves,hackingmadlyassplintersflew.

Therewasacollectivegaspfromtheassembleddwarfs,buttheyallseemedtoostunnedtomove.Gotrekscoopedup themangledfragmentsof theshield,crossed to thegreathearthand threw

them in. The fire roared. He turned, grinning savagely at the Ironskin and Stonemonger leaders.“There.Nowyouhavenothingtofightover.Let’smarch!”

UlfgartoftheStonemongerswasthefirsttoregainthecapacityforspeech.Heturnedsolemnlyto Hamnir, whose face was buried in his hands. “Prince Hamnir, the Stonemonger clan formallyrenouncesourgrudgeagainst the Ironskinclan, and records insteadoneagainst theSlayerGotrekGurnisson,andletitbeknownthatthisgrudgecanonlyberesolvedinblood.”

“Aye,” agreed Kirgi Narinsson, his blue eyes blazing. “The Ironskin clan also declares itsgrudgeagainsttheStonemongerclancancelled,andclaimsanewgrudgeagainstGotrekGurnisson.”HedrewhishammerfromhisbackandsteppedtowardsGotrek,“AndIasktheprince’spermissiontoresolvethisgrudgehereandnow.”

HamnirraisedhisheadandglaredatGotrek.“Curseyou,Gurnisson!Nowwe’vetwogrudgeswheretherewasonlyone!”

Gotrek spaton the floor. “Fah! I thought theywerehonourabledwarfs, soconcernedwith therightofthingsthattheywouldletakarakfalltothegrobioverashield.Willsuchdwarfshavemebreakavowinordertofightthem?”

“Whatvowisthis?”sneeredKirgi.“Avowofcowardice?”“My vow toHamnir,” saidGotrek, staring down the old dwarf, “to aid and protect him until

KarakHirnisrecovered.Killingyouwon’taidhim,willit?You’llhavetowaittodie.”KirgigrippedhishammerandglareddeathatGotrek,butatlaststeppedback.“Letnonesaythat

awarrioroftheIronskinclanevercausedadwarftobreakanoath.WewillsettlethisinthefeasthallofKarakHirn,afterwehavedrunktoitsliberation.”

“It’llbeyourlastdrink,”saidGotrek.UlfgartturnedtoHamnir.“NeitherwilltheStonemongersendangerthisenterprisebykillinga

provenSlayer.”Gotrekbarkedalaughatthis.Ulfgartscowledandcontinued.“WetoowillwaituntilKarakHirniswon.”

Hamnirgavea sighof relief. “I thankyouboth foryour forbearance.”He lookedaround theassembly.“Arethereanyothergrudgestobebroughtforward?”Whennoonespoke,hecontinued.

“Verywell, then listen.”Hestood. “This is theplanwehavedecidedupon.Asyouknow,ourowndefencesprotectthegrobi,andsincetheyaregooddwarfwork,theyarealmostimpossibletobreach.Weare less than fifteenhundredstrong.Wewould losemore thanhalf thatbeforewewere inside,werewetoattackheadon.Fortunately,thereisawayintotheholdthatthegreenskinswillnothavediscovered.A small company, ledby theSlayerGurnisson,will enter through this door andmaketheirwaythroughtheholdtothemaingate.Whentheyhaveopenedit,thethrongwillenterandsplitup.Thebulkoftheforcewillholdthemainconcourse,whilesmallerforcessweepthroughtherestof thehold,pushing thegrobibefore them.Wewillwork from top tobottom, and force themoutthroughthemine-headdoors.”

“What?”askedayoungdwarf.“Willweleavethemthemines?”“Ofcoursenot,”saidHamnir,“butwemustsecuretheholdbeforewecanretakethemines,or

weareindangerofbecomingover-extended.”Whentherewerenoothercomplaints,hecontinued.“What isyet tobedetermined, iswhatcompanieswilldowhat,andwhowillvolunteer toopenthedoors.Ihope,”hesaid,hisfacehardeningasagrowingmurmurrosefromthedwarfs,“thatwecanreach an agreement on an order of march and a division of duty quickly, without argument orrecrimination,fortimeisoftheessence.”

Dwarfsalloverthehallbeganstandingandraisingtheirvoices,demandingthisorthatposition.GotrekgruntedandturnedtoFelix.“Come,man-ling,they’llbeatitallnight.”“Youdon’tcaretolearnwhoyouwillbeleading?”askedFelix.“NotasmuchasIcaretofindadrink.”Gotrekwalkedoutoftheroom,chucklingdarklyashe

passedthegreathearth,wheretheShieldofDruttiwasburningmerrily.

CHAPTERSIXEarlythenextmorning,whilethesoundsoftheclansformingupinthecourtyardcamethroughtheopendoor,GotrekandFelix lookedblearilyaround the stablesofRodenheimCastleat thedwarfswhosatwaitingfor theminthediminterior, theirpacksandweapons,armourandcoilsofropeattheirfeet.Hamnirstoodintheentrance,dressedingleamingbattlearmour,andlookingillatease.Heheldanancientbrasshorn,filigreedwithsilver.

“Theseareyourvolunteers,Gurnisson,”hesaid,“allsworntofollowyouuntodeath,ifneedbe,andtoobeyyourcommands.”Hegesturedtoabefuddledlookingoldwhitebeardwithrheumyeyesandawoodenleg.“OldMatrakherehelpedBirrissonwallupthehangarpassageandbuildhissecretdoors.Hewillgetyouthroughthelocksandtraps.”

Theengineerbrokeoffchewinghislong,whitemoustacheandnoddedblanklyatGotrek.Felixnoticedthathishandstrembled.Allthatandawoodenleg,hethought.Goingtobeinterestinggettingtheoldfellowupacliffface.

HamnirturnedtoThorgigandKagrin,whostoodnearesthim.“Thorgigwill…”Heglaredattheyoungdwarf.“Thorgigwillcarrythewar-hornofKarakHirn,andblowitfromtheHornGatewatchtoweronceyouarereadytoopenthedoors.Wewillnotadvanceuntilwehear it.”Heheldout thehorntoThorgig,whosteppedforwardstotakeit.

Beforehecould,Hamnirdrewitback,hisbrowfurrowing.“Thorgig,areyoucertainof this?Thereislittlehopeofsurvival.Thereareotherswhomight—”

“Who?”saidThorgig,his lipstight.“Iservedasaguardof theHornGatefor tenyears.Whoamongthesurvivorsknowsbetter thanI themechanismof thegate, theplacementof therooms?Itmustbeme.”

“Gotrekcanreadamap.”“Canheblowahorn?Doesheknowthecalls?”Hamnirgrowled.Felixhad the feeling thatheandThorgighadhad thisargumentmany times

before.TheprinceturnedtoKagrin.“Youtoo,Kagrin?Yourskillisinshapingaxes,notswingingthem.

Willyouthrowyourlifeawayandrobusofyourart?”Kagrinshruggedandlookedathisfeet.“WhereThorgiggoes,Igo,”hemumbled.“Itriedtotellhimthesame,”saidThorgig,angry,“buthewon’tlisten.”“Trytellingyourself,”snappedHamnir.“Youhavealonglifeaheadofyou.”“Mylifeisalreadyforfeit,”saidThorgigstiffly.“Ileftmyclanandmyfamilytrappedinahold

fullofgrobi,andescapedtosafety.Onlyfreeingthemwillexpungemyshame.”“You have no reason for shame. Therewas an army of orcs in theway,”Hamnir said. “You

wouldneverhavegottenthrough.”“ThenIshouldhavediedtrying.”Hamnir ’sfist tightenedaroundthehornuntilhisknuckleswerewhite. It lookedas ifhemight

crushit.Finally,heshoveditatThorgig,punchinghiminthechestwithit,andturnedaway.“Youshouldstartatonceifyouhopetoenterthekeepbeforeweareinposition,”hesaidashe

passedGotrek.Atthestabledoor,hepausedandlookedback,hisfacesolemn.“Lucktoyouall.Youareoursuccess…orourfailure.”

Hewalkedout.A chill settled on Felix’s heart. “Inspiring, isn’t he?” he said toGotrek out of the side of his

mouth.

Gotrekshrugged.“Whatdoyouwantfromanoath-breaker?”Felixhadnoideawhatthathadtodowithanything.“PrinceHamnirisnooathbreaker!”saidThorgig.“Takeitback.”“Whatdoyouknowofit,shortbeard?”askedGotrek.“Youweren’tbornthen.”Heturnedaway

fromThorgigandscowledattheothers.“AStonemongerandanIronskin,”hesaidlookingfromacold-visaged, black-bearded dwarfwearing the clan rune of the Stonemongers, to a blond-maned,blue-eyedIronskinwhowasthespittingimageofKirgiNarinsson,saveforbeingatleastacenturyyoungerandhavingascar that randownthe leftsideofhis face.Hehadasliverofcharredwoodknottedintohishugeblondbeardlikeacharm.“Ranulfssonhasameanstreakinhim,”saidGotrek,shakinghishead.“Hehidesitwell,butit’sthere.”

“We are not here at the prince’s bidding,” said the blond dwarf, smilingmischievously as hetoyedwiththeblackenedwood.“Wevolunteered,ashesaid.”

The black-bearded dwarf nodded. “The Ironskins and Stonemongers both have an interest inkeeping you alive in this venture.”His voicewas a soft and cold as snow. “Wedo notwish to becheatedofouropportunitytoresolveourgrudgeswithyou.”

“Youdon’thavetoworryaboutme,”saidGotrek,sighing,“notagainstgrobi.”“Dowebringthemanlingintothehold?”askedagrizzledIronbreakerwithabrokennoseand

braidedwhitehairandbeard.HeeyedFelixasifheexpectedhimtogrowfangsandhorns.“He’llspyoutoursecrets.”

“HeisaDwarfFriend,”saidGotrek.“Ivouchforhim.”“DwarfFriend?”snortedtheoldIronbreaker.“Thedwarfshavenofriendsbutthedwarfs,”“Nowonderourgloryisbehindus,”saidGotrekdryly.“What’syourname,doomsayer?”“Sketti Hammerhand, I am,” said the dwarf, puffing out his chest, “of theHammerhand clan.

IronbreakerandDeepWardenofKarakIzor.”Andtruetohisname,thehaftofawarhammerstuckupoverhisrightshoulder.

Gotrekturnedawayfromhim,unimpressed.“Andyou?”heasked,lookingattheblack-beardedStonemonger.“Theonewhomeanstoprotectmesohecanfightmelater.”

“DruricBrodigsson,”saidthedwarfinhismildvoice.“ArangeroftheBlackFirePass,yourstocommand, for now.” He bowed his head, whichwas covered in close cropped, bristly black hair.“Thoughitmaynotbemewhofightsyou;hewhowillhavethehonouroffacingyouisstillbeingdiscussed.IprayIamchosen.IhavealwayswantedtotakethemeasureofaSlayer.”

“Takethemeasureofyourcoffinfirst,”saidGotrek.Heturnedtotheothers,hisgazepassingoveroldMatrak,theengineer,whohadgonebacktochewinghismoustacheandstaringintospace,andcame to restupon theblonddwarfwith thepiercingblueeyes.“Andyou’re thesonof theoldblowhardwhochallengedmelastnight.”

Thedwarfsmirkedandleanedback,hookinghisthumbsinhiswidebelt.“Aye,that’sme,NarinBlowhardsson.Atyourservice,andyourclan’s.”

Theotherdwarfschuckled.“What’sthekindlinginyourbeardfor?”Narinclosedhishandaroundthesliverofwood,suddenlyembarrassed.“Myfather ’s idea,he

bidmewearapieceoftheShieldofDruttisothatyouwouldalwaysseeitandrememberourgrudgeagainstyou.”Hescowleddownathimself.“Idon’tcareforit.It’sdirtyingmybeard.”

Gotrekraisedaneyebrow.“Youwanttofightmetoo,Isuppose?”“Nono,”saidNarin.“Myfatherwillnotgiveup thehonour. I’monly tomakesureyoukeep

yourheaduntilhehasthepleasureofremovingithimselfHegrinned,hisblueeyessparkling.Youreallygottheoldbadger ’sdanderup.WishI’dbeenthere,buttherewasalassfromKarakDrazh,and

well,ittooksometimeforustogetproperlyacquainted.”Heshrugged.“Abouttimetheolddinnerplatewasturnedtotinderanyway.Nousetoanybody,saveasbeardjewellery.”

Druric’sheadcameup.Hiseyesflashed.“TheshieldofDruttiwasagreatandnobleheirloom.ThetheftofitbytheIronskinclan…”

“Ohcome,cousin,”saidNarinscowling.“Ithasneverbeentakenintobattle.Itwasmountedonthewallofyourfeasthallfora thousandyearsbeforemygreatgrandfather tookit,andthenitwasmountedonthewallofourfeasthallforathousandyears.Itwasadinnerplate.”

DruricglaredatNarinforalongmoment,andthensighed.“Verywell,itwasadinnerplate,butthat is entirely beside thepoint,” he said, raisinghis voice as theothers laughed. “Theft is theft. Itmattersnotifitisabarofgoldoraloafofbread,thedwarfwhotookitiswithouthonour.”

Narinhelduphishands.“Take itupwithmyfather. It isn’tmyfight.Thedwarfswillhavenofutureifwekeepfightingbattlestwothousandyearsinthepast.”

“Andwhatsortoffuturewillwehaveifitisachievedatthepriceofhonour?”askedDruric.“Enough,” said Gotrek, growling. “Save it for the beer hall.” He passed over Thorgig and

Kagrin,whoheknew,andlookedatthelastdwarf,whosatonanoverturnedbucketwiththehoodofhiscloakpulledsofarforwardsthathisfacewasentirelyinshadow.“Youat theback,what’syourname?Let’shavealookatyou.”

The dwarf didn’t speak, only reached up and pulled back his hood. The others swore andlaughed.EvenGotrekblinked.Felixdidn’tblamehim,forthisdwarfwasthestrangestofthatstrangebreedhehadeverseen.

“Whatareyou?”askedGotrek,scowling.ThedwarfstraightenedhisshouldersandlookeddirectlyatGotrek,lightgreeneyesglaringout

of the eyeholes of the head-covering leathermask hewore. Themaskwas, in its way, a thing ofexquisitecraftsmanship,beautifullytooledandsculptedinthesquarefashionofolddwarfsculptures.Thickstripsoforangetintedleatherhungintaperingplaitsfromitscheeksandjaw-linetorepresentabeard,andabristlinghorse-haircrestofflamingorangerosefromaflapof leatherthatwentupoverthedwarfsscalpandbuckledtostrapsthatextendedbackfromtheface.“IamaSlayer,”hesaidinalowrasp.“LeatherbeardtheSlayer.”

“ASlayer?Withnocrest?”Gotrekraisedashaggyeyebrow.“Whatmannerof…”Leatherbeardputhishandonhisaxe.Hewasbare-chested,inSlayerfashion,andworeonlythe

hoodedcloakoverhisshoulderstokeepoffthemorningchill.“DoIaskofyourshame,brother?”hegrowled.“DoIaskyourreasonforseekingdeath?”

Gotrek’steethclickedtogether.Hesoberedinstantly,andnoddedatLeatherbeard.“Fairenough.”Heturnedabruptlyfromthemaskeddwarfandshoulderedhispack.“Comeon,then.Upandout.”Hestartedoutofthestablewithoutabackwardglance.

FelixgapedatGotrekas thedwarfsgatheredup theirgear and followedhimout into thewetmorningair.Thathadalmostbeenanapology!TheytravellednorthandeastfromRodenheimCastleallmorning,upanddownthicklyforestedhillsthatroseoneaftertheotherlikeswellsinagreensea.TherewasaroadtoKarakHirn—theremainsofoneof theolddwarf roads—but theydidn’t take it.The road led to thehold’s frontdoor,andwouldbewatched.Hamnir ’sarmywasmarchingupit,boldasbrass.Withluck,theorcswouldkeeptheireyesfixedonthecolumn,andmissthelittlecompanyofninethatwentthehardway.

They sloshed through rock-choked mountain streams and scrabbled up loose shale slopes,trekked through deep forests and across uplandmeadows. As they climbed higher, drifts of half-meltedsnowappearedintheshadows,thoughthesunwashotontheirnecks.Felixhadthrownbackhis red cloak and was sweating though his shirt. His calves ached like fire, and they hadn’t even

reachedtherealclimbyet.Toomanymonthsatsea.He’dbecomeatenderfootagain.Thedwarfstookitallintheirstride,maintainingthesamedoggedpaceonflatgroundorsteep

hill.Evenoldpeg-leggedMatrakkeptup,mumbling,ashelimpedalong,inamonologuethatnooneelsecouldhear.

Felixwishedsomeoftheotherswereasquiet.SkettiHammerhandinparticularwouldnotshutupformorethantwominutesatatime,anditwasalwaysthesamesubject.

“It’stheelvesbehinditall.Theywantthedwarfsdeadbecausewe’rewhatstandsinthewayofthemrulingtheworld.Youcanbesurethey’rebehindthisgrobitrouble.”

“Howcouldtheybebehindthis?”askedThorgig.TheothersgroanedasSketti’seyeslitup.Hehadonlybeenwaitingforsomeonetogivehiman

opening.“Youdon’tknowelves likeIdo,youngone.I’vemet them,anda twistiersetofshock-headed

beanpolesyouwouldn’twanttofindyourselfdeadinaditchwith.Therearenodepthstowhichtheywouldn’tsink.Noplanistoodevious.”Helickedhislips.“I’ll tellyouhowitis, lad.Youthinkthegreenskinsgettingtoobigfortheirbritchesisbecausesomanydwarfsandmenhavegonenorth,andthereisn’tanyonetokeepthemoutoftheBadlands.That’strueasfarasitgoes,butthat’sonlythesurface.Atruedwarfdoesn’ttrustthesurfaceofnothing.Helooksbeneath.”

Gotrekmuttered somethingabout truedwarfsknowingwhen to shutup,butFelixdidn’tquitecatchit.

“Whatyouneedtoaskyourself,lad,”continuedSketti,“iswhythenorthmenareinvadinginthefirstplace.Whatstirredthemup?Putasidethefactthatitwastheelvesmessingaboutwithmagictheycouldn’tcontrolthatopenedtheChaosriftinthefirstplace,makingthemthefathersofChaos,youcanbesureitwaselvesputthebeeinthisArchaon’sbonnetaswell.Nowthe‘fairones’liketomakeout that theyhavenothing todowith theirdarkcousins inNaggaroth,buteveryoneknows that’satrick toblame their evildeedson someoneelse. Ihad it fromadwarfwho tradeswithBretonniansailorswhodealwithUlthuanthatitwasthedarkelveswhowhisperedintheearofthis‘chosenone’and toldhimhis ‘destiny’ lay in the south.”Sketti spreadhishands. “So,heheeds theirwordsandinvades theEmpire, and thedwarfs,whohavepledgedsinceSigmar ’s time toprotectmankind,nomatter how often they steal from us and stab us in the back, go north to defend the ungratefulweaklings,andloandbehold,thegrobi‘coincidentally’choosethatmomenttoriseandattack!Youcan’tmakemebelieveitisn’tallsomedarkelfscheme.”

“You’resayingitwasthedarkelveswhoconvincedthenorthmentoattacktheEmpirejustsothegrobicouldtakeoverKarakHirn?”saidNarin,chuckling.

“Andwhynot?”askedSketti.“Sotheelvesgiveorderstothegrobinow?”scoffedThorgig.“Notdirectly.Notdirectly,”saidSketti.“Butthey’reinleaguewiththeskaven,everyoneknows

that,andtheskaven…”Everyone groaned again. Felix shivered, recalling all the times that he and Gotrek had

encounteredthehorrid,man-likevermin,andthesingle-mindedgreyseerwhohaddoggedtheirstepsso unflaggingly during their travels in the OldWorld. He couldn’t imagine the great Teclis everconspiringwiththelikesofthem.

“Hammerhand!” saidNarin, interrupting Sketti’s rant. “There’s amanling among us. Do youtrulywanttorevealtohimallthissecretdwarfknowledge?Everyoneknowsthatmenarethelackeysoftheelves.Doyouwanttheelvestoknowhowmuchyouknow?”

Sketti’s mouth shut like a trap. He turned and glared at Felix with wild eyes. “It’s true,” hemuttered. “It’s true. I have perhaps said too much.” He shot a last suspicious glance at Felix and

marchedoninsilence.NarinwinkedatFelixbehindSketti’sbackastherestsighedwithrelief.Felixnoddedhisthanksandstifledagrin.Agoodfellow,Narin.Notasstiffastheothers.

Justbeforenoon,thepartysteppedoutofpinewoodsatthetopofashallowravinetofindthejuttingpeakofKaragHirntoweringabovethem,alongfeatheryscarfofblownsnowtrailingawayfromitswhitecraggypeakacrossthebrightbluesky.Therestof themountainwasasblackandsoberasajudge.Thorgig,KagrinandoldMatraklookedupatitreverently.

“Tothinkthehallsofourbirthholdrunwithgrobi,”Thorgigspat.“Tothinkthattheydefileoursacredplaceswiththeirpresence.Wewillavengeyou,karaz.Wewillcleanseyouoftheirtaint.”

Theothersmurmuredansweringoaths.Onthewestsideof themountain, thegleamingswitchbackcurveofaroadcouldbeseen,and

aboveit,almosthiddenbyrocksandoutcroppings,theregularplanesofmassivedwarfbattlements.“Thatisthefrontgate—theHornGate,”saidoldMatrak,pointing.“Wherewe…”Hechoked

onthewords.“Wherewefledfromthesilentgrobi.Hamnirandtheothersgotheretowaitforus.We…”Heswunghishandtotheright.“Wegothere.TheZhufgrimScarp.”

Felix’seyesfollowedtheengineer ’s finger to theeasternfaceof themountain.Thebaseof it,whereitrosefromthetrees,wasnotched,asifsomedwarfgodhadhackedoutagiganticfootholdwithanaxe.Averticalwallroseupfromthenotch,morethanhalfwaytothesnow-peakedcrown,andlooked,at least fromwhereFelix stood,as smoothand flat asa sheetofparchment.A thin lineofsilverglittereddownthemiddleofit.

“At thebase is theCauldron,”saidThorgig,steppingupbeside theoldengineer.“Adeeplakefedbythefallsthatpourdownthecliff.Thatisourroad.”

Felixswallowed.“Upthecliff?Doyouhavewingsinyourpacks?”Skettisnorted.“Nothingtoit,fordwarfs.”“Hist,”saidDruric.“Orcs.”Theotherswent quiet instantly and turned towhere he looked.A small companyof orcswas

pushingthroughtheheavyundergrowthofberrybushesthatcoveredtheflooroftheravinebelow.Thedwarfssteppedbackfromtheedge,andsquatteddownsotheycouldonlyjustseeoverthelip.

“Twentyofthem,”saidThorgig.“Andweareonlyeight,”saidSketti.“Nine,”saidDruric,“withtheman.”“AsIsaid,eight,”saidSketti.“We’llstillmanage.”Gotreksnortedatthat.“I’dmanagealone!”saidLeatherbeard,defensively.“Forgivemeforspeakingoutofturn,”saidFelix,“butisn’ttheaimofourmissiontoreachthe

secretdoorwithoutbeingseen?”“Ifthey’realldead,”growledNarin,tuggingonthecharredsliverinhisbeard,“howcanthey

tellwhatthey’veseen?”“Ifothersfindthemchoppedtopieces,”saidFelix,“theywillknowwewerehere.Andifweare

toopentheHornGateintimetoletHamnirin,canwesparethetimeforafight?”Thedwarfshesitated,palpablyangryatFelix’sattemptsat logic.Theyweretensedlikewolves

lookingdownonunsuspectingsheep.Every fibre in their squat,powerfulbodieswanted tochargeintotheravineandbutcherthegreenskins.

AtlastGotreksighed.“Themanlingisright.Thisisn’tthetimeforafight.”Theothersgruntedtheirannoyance.

“Howmuchtimecouldittake?”askedLeather-beard.“We’llhaveplentyoffightinginthehold,”saidGotrek,“enoughtokillus.Ortherestofyou,at

anyrate.”“Ihavesworntofollowyou,”saidThorgig,stiffly,“butitpainsmetoletevenasingleorclive.”“Itisn’tthedwarfway,”saidSketti.“It’smyway”saidGotrek.“Nowwaituntiltheypass.”Thedwarfsgrumbled,butdidasheordered,watchinginhidingastheorcspassedbelowthem.Thegreenskinswalkedindoublefile,theirleaderattheirhead,scanningthelandscape.Theydid

not talk or argue amongst themselves as orcs usually did. There was no shoving or fighting, nodrinkingoreating,orboredhackingattheunderbrushwiththeirweapons.Theykeptattheirtaskwitha sad dullness that looked almost comical on their hideous faces. Only occasionally would thislistlessnessbreak,whenoneofthemshookitsheadandtwitched,roaringlikeabullstungbyawasp,anditseyeswouldblazewiththeaccustomedorcishfury.Then,assoonasithadbegun,theoutburstwouldend,andtheorcwouldsinkbackintoitsstupor.

“What’scomeoverthem?”askedThorgig.Kagrinshookhishead,baffled.“Whatkindoforcsdon’tsquabble?”mutteredNarin,unnerved.“Itseemsalmostasiftheyareasleep,”saidSketti,frowning.“Thentheykillintheirsleep,”saidoldMatrak,trembling,“forthisishowtheycamewhenthe

Karakfell:silent,butbloodthirsty.Wedidn’thearthemuntiltheywereonus.Wedidn’t…”Hetrailedoff,hiseyeswideandfaraway.

The other dwarfs looked away from him, uncomfortable. “Elf work, no doubt,” said Sketti.“White sorcery.”Narin considered this. “Could any sorcerer alive today command thewills of anentireholdfulloforcs?”

“Onecould,”noddedSkettisagely.“TeclisofUlthuan.”“Hecouldatthat,”saidGotrek,strokinghisbeardthoughtfully.“Yousee?”saidSketti.“TheSlayeragreeswithme.”“TheSlayerthinksyouhaveelvesonthebrain,”saidGotrek,sneeringandreturnedtowatching

theorcs.Whentheyhadpassedoutofsightaroundatwistintheravine,thedwarfscontinuedon.Gotrek

frownedastheywalked,deepinthought.ItseemedthathehadfinallybecomeinterestedinthetaskthatHamnirhadsethim.

CHAPTERSEVENAftertwohourspushingupKaragHirn’ssteep,forestedflank,theyreachedthetreelineandcameoutontodark,quartz-veinedrock,patchedwithgreen-greylichen.Thewaygotharder,theslopesteeperandblockedbymassiveoutcroppings,andtheyhadtousetheirhandsasoftenastheirfeettoclimb.Felixfoundhimselfmorewindedthanheexpected.Theairwasthin,andthewindcold,buthewassweatingthroughhisclothes.

Anhourlater,withtheflatwallofZufgrimScarpgettinghigherandwiderabovethemall thetime,theybegantohearalowroaring.Itgrewlouderandlouder,until,astheycrestedanarrowpassbetween two looming fangsof rock, theycameupona steep-shoredmountain lake, surroundedonthreesidesbylowjaggedpeaks,andonthefourthbythescarp,whichrosedirectlyfromitsfrothingwaters.Thecliffdidn’tappeartoFelixtobeanyrougher,nowthattheywerecloser.Itwasstillasflatasthewallofafortress.Theonlybreakwasthewaterfallthatdroppeddownitscentreinarushingwhite torrent and split it in two.Thenoise of the cataract smashing into the lakewasdeafening. Itchurnedthewaterintoaroilingboilthatmadethesurfaceofthewholelakedance,flashingsunlightintotheirfacesfromathousand,thousandripples.Theedgesofthelakewerecrustedwithajaggedrimeofice.Flurriesdrifteddownfromthesnowcap,highabovethem.

Felix shieldedhis eyes and lookedup.The scarpwas evenmore intimidating from this anglethan it hadbeenwhenoldMatrak first pointed it out.He foundhehadbrokenout in an icy sweat.“It’s…it’simpossible.”

Narinsnorted.“Easyasfallingoutofbed.”Felixswallowed.“Fallingisalwayseasy.”“Eatbeforewegoup,”saidGotrek,“andgetyourgearready.”The dwarfs fell out, sitting down on the black boulders to eat salted meat and oatcakes, and

washingthedrystuffdownwithbeerpouredfromlittlewoodenkegstheyhadstrappedtotheirpacks.Kagrinasusualgotouthisdaggerandhistoolsandgottowork,ignoringeveryoneelse.Felixfoundit hard to look away.Onemistake, one slip of the tool, and itwould be ruined, butKagrin neverslipped.Hishandsweresteadyandsure.

Narinmunchedhishard-tackandsighedasifagreatweighthadbeenliftedfromhim.“Thisisthelife,”hesaid.“GrimnirandGrungni,butImissit.”

“Thelife,hesays?”saidSketti,cockinganeyebrow.“Mightbethedeathaswell,likeasnot.”“ThenI’lltakethedeath,”hesaidwithfeeling,“andwillingly.”Leatherbeardlookedupatthat.“Youdon’tweartheSlayer ’screst.Whywouldyouseekdeath?”Narinsmirkedathim.“Youhaven’tmetmywife.”Thorgig turned.“Yourwife?Didn’tyousayearlieryouwerewooingsomemaid fromKarak

Drazhyesterdaywhentherestofuswereatcouncil?”“AsIsaid,”Narincontinued,“youhaven’tmetmywife.”Mostoftheotherschuckledatthat,butThorgigandDruriclookedoffended.Narinchosetotakenonotice.Hesighed,playingunconsciouslywiththeburntstickofwoodtied

intohisbeard.“IhadthewanderlustwhenIwasashort-beard.IwalkedmyaxefromKislevtoTileaasamercenaryandadventurerforfiftyyears,andlovedeveryminuteofit.Sawmoreoftheworldinthathalfcenturythanmostdwarfsseeinfive.”Hetrailedoff,hiseyeslookingfaraway,andafaintsmile on his bearded lips. Then he shook himself reluctantly. “All that’s gone, now thatmy olderbrother ’sdead.”

“Calledbacktothehold,wereyou?”askedDruric.

“Aye,”Narinsaidsadly.“Thesecondsonofathanehasthebestofitandnomistake—justaskPrinceHamnir—goldandopportunity,andnomoreresponsibilitythanacat.Onlynow,I’mthefirstson.Theoldbadgerprobablyhasanothercenturyinhimatleast,butstillImustcomehomeandlearnthe running of the hold, and memorise our book of grudges from cover to cover, and make afavourablemarriage,and…”Heshivered.“Producesonswithmy…wife.”

“Everydwarfmustdohisduty,”saidLeatherbeard,throughhismask.“Weareadwindlingrace.Wemustbegetsonsanddaughters.”

“Iknow,Iknow,”saidNarin,“butI’dratherhaveyourduty.Killingtrollsisamorepleasanttaskthanbeddingone,andtrollsdon’ttalkasmuch.”

“Surelyshecan’tbeasbadasallthat,”saidThorgig.Narinfixedhimwithasharpblueeye.“Lad,weareallliketodieonthislittlejaunt,arewenot?

PrinceHamnirsaiditwasasuicidemission.”“Aye,Isuppose,”saidThorgig.“Well,letmeputittoyouthisway.I’llbedisappointedifitisn’t.”“AndIwillbedisappointedifitis,”saidDruric.“You’reafraidtodie?”askedThorgigsharply.“Notintheleast,”saidDruric.HeturnedhiscoldeyestowardsGotrek,whowaswolfingdown

hisfoodandpayingtherestnottheslightestattention,“butifSlayerGurnissondies,thegrudgetheStonemongers have against himwill go unresolved.As long as I know hewill live, I don’tminddying.”

Gotreksnortedderisivelyatthat,butdidn’tbothertorespond.Afterthemeal,therewasmuchrummagingthroughpacksandre-coilingofropes.Eachofthe

dwarfshungabandolierofringedsteelspikesoveroneshoulderandstrappedapairofcleatstohisboots.Fortunately,thoughdwarfsandmenweresodissimilarinsizeandproportionthattheycouldrarelyexchangeclothes,dwarfshadbigfeet,soapairofcleatshadbeenfoundforFelix.OldMatrakunbuckledhiswoodenpeglegandreplaceditwithonethatwasalong,black-ironspike.

Whenallstrapsweretightened,thedwarfstappedouttheirpipesandstood,slingingtheirpacksovertheirshoulders.Kagrinwaslasttobeready,tuckinghistoolsandthegold-pommelleddaggerawayreluctantly.

“Comeon,lad,”saidNarin.“There’llbeworkfortheotherendofthatelf-stickerpresently.”ThedwarfsedgedaroundthesteepshoresoftheCauldron,slipperywithbrokeniceandloose

shale,untiltheycametothecliffface,thefallsboomingtotheirright,andsprayingthemwithafine,freezingmist.

Rightupagainstit,thecliffwasn’tquiteassmoothandfeaturelessasithadappearedbefore,butitwasstilldaunting—along,nearlyverticalstratumofgreygranite,withfewcracksorprotrusions.Thedwarfsdidn’tevenslowdown.Theysteppedtothewall,reacheduptograbhandholdsthatFelixcouldn’tsee,jammedtheircleatsintotherockandpulledthemselvesupwithoutropesorpitons,aseasilyasiftheywereascendingaladder.

BywatchingcloselywhereGotrekputhishandsandfeet,Felixwasable tofollowhimup theface,butitwashard,finger-crampingwork,andhewasnowherenearassteadyasthedwarfs.EvenoldMatrakwasdoingbetterthanhewas,hisironlegspikebitingfirmlyintothegranite.

It struck Felix as odd that dwarfs, with their short, thick bodies, would excel at climbingmountains.Onewouldhavethoughtthataclimberwithlong,spiderylimbsandathintorso—anelf,for instance— would be better suited to the work, but although the dwarfs did have occasionaltroublestretchingforthenexthandorfoothold,theymadeupfortheirlackofreachwithincrediblestrengthofgripandtheiruncannydwarfishaffinityfortherockitself.Theyseemedtofind,moreby

instinctthansightortouch,ridgesandcrackstosliptheirsturdyfingersintothatFelixcouldnothavefoundifhehadbeenstaringdirectlyatthem.

Unfortunately,thisskill,andtheirvicelikegrip,gavethedwarfstheabilitytouse,ashandholds,tinyirregularitiesinthesurfaceofthecliffthatFelixcouldn’tgetagriponatall.Consequently,bythe time thedwarfswerehalfwayup the cliff,Felixwas far below themhis forearmson firewithcrampandsweatrunningintohiseyes.Hecouldnolongerheartheothersbecauseofthesoundofthewaterfallroaringpastthirtyfeettohisright.

Hepausedforamomenttoflexhishandsandtrytoshaketheachefromhislimbs,andmadethemistakeoflookingdownbetweenhislegs.Hefroze.Hewassohighup.Oneslip—oneslipand…Suddenly,hewasn’tsurehecouldholdonanymore.Amadurgetojustletgoandrelievethetensionashefelltohisdeathnearlyovercamehim.

Hefought itoffwithdifficulty,butfoundhestillcouldn’tmove.Hegroanedasherealisedhewasgoingtohavetoaskforhelp.Dwarfshatedweaknessandincompetence.Theyhadnorespectforsomeonewhocouldn’tfendforhimself.Evenwhentheywerealone,FelixalwaysfeltafoolwhenhehadtoaskGotrekforhelp.Itwouldbeworsehere,withapackofotherdwarfslookingon.Hewouldbemocked. On the other hand, better to live and be mocked than literally die of embarrassment,wasn’tit?

“Yourremembererislaggingbehind,Slayer,”cameNarin’svoicefromabovehim.Felixheardagruntandadwarfcurse,andthen,“Hangon,manling.”Theechoesofdwarfchucklingreachedhisearsandturnedthemcrimson.Thencameasoundof

hammering.Felixlookedup,butitwasdifficulttoseewhowaswho,letalonewhatwasgoingon.Allhecouldseewerethesolesofdwarfbootsandbroaddwarfrumps.

“Takethis,”calledGotrek.Acoilofropedroppedtowardshim,rushingatFelix’sfacelikeastrikingsnake.Heducked.A

smallironhookcrackedhimonthetopofhishead.Heyelpedandnearlylosthisgrip.“Mindyourhead,”laughedThorgig.ThehookslithereddowntheclifffacebetweenFelix’slegsandstoppedwithabouncebelowhis

feetattheendoftheropeitwasattachedto.“Canyougetahandfree?”askedGotrek.“Aye,”saidFelix.Hewasrubbinghisheadwithitashespoke.“Thenhooktheropetoyourbelt.”“Right.” Felix drew the rope up one-handed until he had the hook, then passed it under and

aroundhisbelttwiceandhookedittotheropeagain.“It’sdone,”hecalled.Theropebegantoslidebackupthecliffuntilitwastaut.“Comeahead,”saidGotrek.Felix startedup again.The rope slackened as he climbed, but then retightened every few feet.

FelixlookedupandsawGotrekpullingitthroughtheeyeletofapitonandholdingittight.Theotherdwarfswereallwatchinghimasherose,amusedsmilesontheirbeardedfaces.“What’sthisfishyou’vecaught,Slayer?”askedSketti.“Notmuchmeatonit,isthere?”saidNarin.“Aye,”saidThorgig.“Throwitback.”Ashecamelevelwiththem,FelixsawthatGotrekhadtappedtwopitonsintothecliff,oneabout

fivefeetabovetheother.“Bideabit,manling,”hesaid.“Putyourfootonthisone,andholdontothisone.”Felixsteppedgratefullyonto the lowerpitonandheldonto theother. Itwasn’tmuch,butafter

clingingonwithhisfingertipsforthelasthour,itwasablessedrelief.“Whenyou’vegotsomestrengthback,followon.We’llleavelinesandpegsforyou.”“Linesandpegs,”snortedSketti.“Likeababy.Nowondermenstealeverythingfromthedwarfs.

Theycan’tdoathingforthemselves.”“That’senough,Hammerhand,”growledGotrek.“Pardon,Slayer,”Skettisneered.“Iforgot.Heisyour‘DwarfFriend’.Hemustbeveryfriendly

indeedtobeworththetrouble.”GotrekfixedtheIronbreakerwithhisoneglitteringeyeandthemirthdiedontheolddwarfslips.

Hiswhitebeardmovedasheswallowed.“Right,”saidGotrekasheturnedbacktotherockface.“Upward.”ThedwarfsstartedupthecliffagainwhileFelixstoodonthepitonandflexedandstretchedeach

ofhisarmsinturn.WhenGotrekhadclimbedanotherfiftyfeetorso,hejabbedanotherpitonintothegranite,makingitstickwithjusttheforceofhishand,thenseatingitsecurelywithasmallhammer.He tied Felix’s rope to it, and moved on. From then on, this was how they proceeded. Felix’shumiliationathavingtousearopewastemperedbytherelativesafetyandeaseofthearrangement.Hewasnolongerfallingbehind,andhedidn’tfreezewhenhelookeddown.

Three-quartersof thewayup thescarp,even thedwarfshad touse“linesandpegs”.Thecliffbulgedoutatthetop,likemeltedwaxatthetopofacandle,andtheyhadtoclimbuptheundersideofthebulge.Gotrekwentfirst,reachingashighashecouldtotapinapiton,andthenhangingaloopofropefromitinwhichtositsothathecouldtapinthenext.Felixshiveredatthesight.TheSlayerwassoheavy,hismusclesasdenseasoakwood,andthepitonssotiny,thatheexpectedthemtopulloutoftherockandGotrektoplummetearthwardatanysecond.

Thedwarfstalked,unconcerned,whiletheywaited,aseasyclingingtotheirropesandrestingontheir pitonswith thewindwhistling around them as if they had been bellied up to a bar in a cosytavern.

“Lookthere,”saidSkettiHammerhand,pointingandraisinghisvoicetobeheardoverthefalls.“Youcan just seeKaraz Izor fromhere: thirdmountain in,behind thesplitpeakofKarazVarnrik.Youwon’t havegrobi takingourhold.My line has been Ironbreakers and deepwardens sincemygreat-grandfather ’s greatgrandfather ’s time, and no greenskin has ever slipped past us.We’ve anunbrokenrecord.”

“DoyouimplythatwelostKarakHirnoutoflaxness?”askedThorgigwithadangerousedgeinhisvoice.“Doyousaywedidn’tfighthardenough?”

“Nono,lad,”saidSketti,holdinguphisfreehand.“Imeantnoinsulttothebraveryofyourholdor clan. I’m sure you all fought as true dwarfs should.”He shrugged. “Of course, if any of yourking’slinehadbeenthere,thingsmighthavebeendifferent.”

“NowyouinsultKingAlrik,”saidThorgig,hisvoicerising.“I do not,” Sketti protested. “He isn’t the only dwarf to fall prey to this elf-birthed Chaos

invasion.Hisheartwas in therightplace, I’msure,wanting tohelp themenof theEmpire in theirtimeofneed,butadwarfsfirstdutyistohisown.So—”

“If youdig yourself anydeeper,Hammerhand,” saidThorgig, his fists balling, “You’ll strikefire.”

“Quiet!”cameGotrek’svoicefromabove.Thedwarfsceasedtheirargumentandlookedup.Gotrekhungabovethem,craninghisneckto

seeoverthecurveofthebulge.Hehadonehandonthehaftofhisaxe.Asoundofmovementcametothemfaintlyfromthetopofthecliff,barelydiscernibleoverthe

roarofthefalls.AspillofpebblesrattledpastGotrektodroptowardsthelake.

Felixthoughtheheardacommandgiveninahigh,harshvoice,butcouldn’tmakeouttheword.Whateveritwas,thespeakerhadn’tsoundedhumanordwarfish.

The dwarfs stayed as motionless as statues, listening. The sounds of movement came again,fainterandtothewest,andthenweregone.Afteramoment,Gotrekresumedtappinginthenextpiton.

“Goblinpatrol,”saidDruric.Narinnodded.“Dotheyknowwe’rehere?”askedSketti,lookingupanxiously.“We’dbedodgingbouldersiftheyknewwewerehere,”saidThorgig.Leatherbeardgrunted.“NotaSlayer ’sdeath.”“Theyknow,”saidoldMatrakinafarawayvoice.“Theyknoweverything.Theyknowwherethe

keysare.Theyknowwherethedoorsare.”Theotherslookedathim.Hewasstaringintothedistance,hiseyesseeingnothing.“Pooroldfellow,”saidNarinunderhisbreath.Gotrekreachedthetopshortlythereafter,andthrewdownarope.OldMatrakwentupfirst,the

line hooked to his belt for safety. As troubled as he was in his mind, he was still sure in hismovements.He let go of his piton and swung out on the dangling ropewithout a qualm.Then heclimbeduphandoverhanduntilhereachedthebulgeandcouldgainpurchasewithhisfootandironleg-spikeagain.

Felixwentupfourth,afterDruric.HehadshinnedupmanyaropeinhistravelswithGotrek,andfacedmanyadanger,butswingingoutoverthatdropwasoneofthehardestthingshe’deverdone.Only the sceptical scowls of the dwarfswaiting their turn kept him from hemming and hesitatingendlesslybeforelettinggo.Hewouldbedamnedifhewouldletthemthinkhimmoreofabuffoonthantheyalreadydid.

Of course, this hopewas dashedwhen one of his cleats slipped as he began climbing up theundersideofthebulge.Helosthisfootingandslammedfacefirstintothecliff,bloodyinghisnose.Hecaughthimselfandrecoveredalmostinstantly,buthecouldheartheguffawsofthedwarfsbelowandabovehim.His faceburnedwith embarrassment ashe topped thebulgeandGotrekheldout ahandtohaulhimup.

“Well done,manling.You’re the first to shed blood in the recovery ofKarakHirn,” said theSlayer,grinning.

“Thefirsttoshedhisown,”saidThorgig,chucklingbehindhim.“I’llbehappytoshedsomebodyelse’s,”saidFelix,glaringatThorgig.Theyoungdwarfwas

beginningtogetonhisnerves.HehadreasontohateGotrek,Felixsupposed.TheSlayerhadbeenmore than insulting, tohimand toHamnir,butFelixhadgivenThorgignocause tobeangry.Nocausebuthismerepresence,hethought.ThorgigwasnoSketti,buthehadthedwarfishdisdainforallthingsnon-dwarf.

Felixlookedaround.Theclifftopwasabroadflatledge,likealandinghalfwayupthemountain.Therestofthepeakstillloomedabovehim,itswhitesnowcapsilhouettedagainsttheblindingsun.Adeepblackpool—amirror-calm twin to the roilingcauldronbelow—wascut into the ledgebyages of erosion. To his right, the pool spilled over the edge of cliff to become the narrow silverthreadofthefalls.Therewasn’tmuchroomtwixtwaterandcliffedge.Itfeltasifheandthedwarfsstoodontherimofagiantstonepitcherthatforeverpouredwaterintoastonecupfarbelow.Thetopofthefallswasthinenoughtojump,buttheprospectofslippingmadeFelix’sskincrawl.

Druricwasstudyingthegroundatthecliffedge.“Itwasgoblins,”hesaid.“So,they’relookingforus?”askedSketti,glancingaroundwarily.“Notnecessarily,”Druricanswered.“Thereareregularpatrolsthroughhere.”Hepointed.“New

printsovertheold.”GotrekturnedtoMatrakashehelpedLeatherbeardup.“Whichwaytothedoor?”Matrakwavedtotheeast,beyondthestream,wherethecliff-topledgerosegraduallytoasplit

betweenthemainbodyofthemountainandaruggedsmallerpeak—abroadshouldertothekaraz’sproudhead.“Up.Throughthere.”

“Thegrobiwentthatway,”Gotreksaid.“Getyourarmouron.”Thedwarfstookofftheircleatsandpulledmailshirts,pauldronsandgauntletsfromtheirpacks,

replacingthemwiththeirclimbinggear.Felixbuckledonascale-sewnleatherjack,andfixedhisoldredcloakaroundhisshoulders.Noneofthemcarriedshields,whichwouldhavebeentooheavyandcumbersomewhileclimbing.

Gotreklefttheropeoverthebulgeinplaceandhoppedtheroaringfalls.Thedwarfsfollowedhimacross,apparentlywithoutasecondthought.Felixheldhisbreathashetookarunningjumpandtriednottoimaginefallinginthewaterandbeingdraggedovertheedgebytherushingcurrent.

Safely on the other side, the company followed the ledge as it rose to the split between themountain’sheadandshoulder.Thiswasanarrow,shadowedcleftthatwoundcrazilybetweenthetwopeaks,andthenopenedoutontoasway-backedsaddleofhard-packedsnowthatslopeduptotheblackflankofKarazHirntotheirleft,anddowntoasheercliffontheirright.Thelastfewyardsbeforethecliffwereblackice—frozenrun-offfromtheslantingplainofsnow,asglossyandsmoothasthelipofawinebottle.

Astheywereabouttostepoutofthecleftontothesnow,apatchofredandgreenonthefarsidedrewFelix’seye.Adozengoblinswerehackingapartthecarcassofamountaingoat,anditsbloodstainedthesnowallaroundthem.Liketheorcstheyhadseenbefore,thegoblinsweremaintainingavery un-greenskin-like silence. They weren’t fighting over the choice bits, or devouring theirportionsimmediately,butinsteadstuffedthebloodylegsandflanksteaksintotheirpacksforlater.

“They’reintheway,”quaveredMatrak,pointingtoadarkgapintherockfaceonthefarsideoftheslopeofsnow.“Thedoor ’sbeyondthatpass.”

“We’llhavetotakethem,then,”saidNarin.“ThankGrimnirforthat,”saidSketti.“ThedayIhidefromgoblinsisthedayIshavemybeard.”Leatherbeardgrowledinhisthroat.“Shutupandattack,”saidGotrek.Hestartedforwardsatarun.Thedwarfschargedafterhimasfastastheycould,which,byFelix’sstandardswasn’tveryfast.

Hehadtokeeptoatrot,soasnottogettoofarahead.Thegoblins saw themcoming,butdidn’t shriek inalarm,or scatter inblindpanicasgoblins

werewont to. Instead, they justdropped thebitsofhacked-upgoat theyheldand turned to face thedwarfs,assilentasmonks.

Druric loosedacrossbowbolt that tookonegoblinhighin thechest, thenthrewthecrossbowaside and drew a hand axe. He and Felix and the dwarfs crashed into the runty greenskins like abatteringram,mowingthemdownwiththeirsheermass.Fourgoblinsdiedimmediately,axesburieddeep in theirscrawnychestsandpointyskulls.Threemorewerebowledoff their feet.Gotreksplitoneintwo.Felixhackedatasecond,atiny,snaggle-toothedhorrorthatrolledawayfromhisblade.OldMatrakstompedonanotherwithhisironleg-spike,impalingit.

ThegoblinleaderchitteredanorderashefoughtThorgig,andtwogoblinspeeledawayfromthe fight to scamper up the rise. Leatherbeard sent one of his axes spinning after the runners,droppingone,buttheotherwasnearingtheopeningatthetopofthesnowyslope.

“Afterhim,manling!”calledGotrek.“Makethoselonglegsuseful!”Felixsprinteduptheincline,hisfeetsmashingholesinthehardcrustofsnow.Thegoblindarted

throughthedarkgapanddownintoadropping,rockycleft.Felixchargedinafterhim,gainingwitheverystep.Thegoblinlookedbackonce,emotionlessasafish,andthenranon.

The floorof the cleftwas filledwith rocks and loosegravel.Felix slippedand slid ashe randownit,twicenearlytwistinghisankle.Hecamewithinayardofthegoblinandswipedatitwithhissword,butitleaptahead,duckingaroundabigboulderandoutofsight.Felixswungwidearoundtheboulder,andfoundhimselfsuddenlyonthelipofawidecrevassethatdroppedawayintoblackness.Helurchedleft,heart thudding,hisscrabblingfeetkickingpebblesintotheabyss,andtwistedawayfromtheedgebarelyintime.

The goblin scampered up a rocky rise before him. Felix surged after it, skin prickling at theclosenessofhisnarrowescape.Noonewouldeverhavefoundhimhadhefallenintothatchasm.Noonewouldknowwhathadbecomeofhim:ahorribleendforamemoirist.

Thegoblin slippedon loose screeand fellon its faceas it reached thecrestof the rise.Felixclosedonitrapidly.Itpickeditselfupagainanddivedovertheridge.Felixleaptafteritandtackledittotheground.Theyrolleddownthefarsideoftheridgeinatangleoflimbs,andjarredtoastopatthebaseof the slope, thegoblinon top. It raised its saw-bladed short sword to stabhim,butFelixclubbeditoffhischestwithhisfreearmandrolledontopofit,slashingdownwithhissword.Thesteelbitthroughthegoblin’sskull.Thelittlegreenmonsterspasmedandlaystill.

Felixcollapsedtothesideandlaywithhischeekonthecoldrock,pantingandwheezing,glaringatthedeadgoblinbesidehim.“Gotyouatlast,youfilthy—”

Anenormousfur-bootedfootsteppedintohiscircleofvision.Helookedup.Ahugeorcinscraparmourloomedoverhim,staringdown.Twentymorestoodatitsback.

CHAPTEREIGHTThe orc slashed down at Felix with a huge double-bladed axe. Felix yelped and rolled. He wasdeafened as the axe bit deep into the ground, an inch from his shoulder, pinning his cloak. Felixsurgedup,thecloaknearlystranglinghimbeforeitrippedfree.Anotherorcswungathim.Hejerkedasideandran,stumblingandunsteady,backuptheridge.

Theorcs racedafterhim,unnervingly silent.Felixpoundeddown the slope towards theblackchasm,skiddingwithininchesofthedropasheturnedintothenarrowconfinesoftherockypass.Heheardtheorcsthunderingbehindhim,andthenafadingbellowasoneofthemmisseditsfootingandtumbledintothedepths.Therestcameon,notsparingtheirlostcomradeabackwardsglance.

AstitchstabbedatFelix’ssideashescrabbledupthe tight, risingpath,andhisbreathcameinraggedgasps.

He’dalreadybeenwindedwhenhecaughtthegoblin.Nowhefeltasifhewasgoingtodie.Hewantedtostopandvomit,buttheorcsweresocloseathisheelsthathecouldheartheirbreathingandsmelltheirrankanimalodour.Thegroundshookwiththeirfootsteps.

The light fromthesnowfieldglowedat the topof theshadowedpass likeabeaconofhope. Itlookedahundred leagues away.He slippedon a loose rock and this timehedid twist his ankle. Itflaredwithsuddenagony.Hecriedout,andnearly fell.Swift steelwhistledbehindhimandanaxerangofftherockwallbesidehishead.

Hescrabbledon,anklescreamingwitheachstep.Hedidn’thave the luxuryof favouring it—justjammedhisfootdownandtookthepainasbesthecould.Atlast,nearlyfaintingwithagony,hegained the top of the pass, inches ahead of the orcs, and burst out onto the snowfield.A slashingcleavergrazedhisscale-coveredshoulderandsenthimsprawling.Heslidface-firstdownthesnowyinclinetowardsthecliff.

Thedwarfsweremarchinguptheslopewiththedeadgoblinsbehindthem.Theyreadiedtheirweaponsashespedtowardthem,lookingbeyondhimwitheageranticipationontheirfaces.GotreksteppedoutandFelixcrashedintohisknees.TheSlayerhauledhimup.

“Er,”saidFelix,probinghisthrobbingshoulder.Theorchadcutthroughtheleatherandtornoffsomeofhisscales,buthewasunbloodied.“Igotthegoblin.”

“Good,”gruntedGotrek,andsteppedpasthim,heftinghisaxe.The orcs were spreading out in an even semi-circle and marching down in a dressed rank,

weaponsattheready.Felixshiveredatthesight.“They aren’t orcs,” said Sketti, uneasily, echoing Felix’s unspoken thought. “They can’t be.

They’resomethingelse,dressedupingreenskin.”“Elves,maybe?”saidNarin,smirking.Druriclookedoverhisshoulder,downtheslope.“Theymeantokeepusinfrontofthem.They

wanttopushusoffthecliff.”“Letthemtry,”saidLeatherbeard.Theorcleaderjabberedanorderandtheorcscharged,utteringnotaword.Thedwarfsbraced

andmet the attackwith an unmovingwall of sharp steel. Gotrek blocked the leader ’s first strike,shattereditswaraxewithhisreturnblow,andthencutitslegsoutfromunderit.Twomoreleaptintotakeitsplace.

NarinandDruric foughtback toback ina ringof threeorcs.Leatherbeardwassteppingoverone dead orc to get to another, two dripping double-bladed axes in his massive hands. SkettiHammerhandandoldMatrakfoughtanorcthatwieldedanironmacethesizeandshapeofabutter

churn.ThorgigandKagrinbutcheredanotherwiththeiraxesandturnedtofacetwomore.Felixfoughtashort,barrel-guttedbrutewithaheadlikeagreenpumpkin.Strange,hethought,

ashe slippedan axe stroke andmissedwith an attackofhisown.Though their tacticswerevastlyimproved, and though their fury seemed to be contained, the strange orcs still fought like orcs,slashingwithgreat,clumsyswingsthatcouldflattenabuildingiftheyconnected,butmoreoftenthannotmissed.Whyhadoneaspectchangedandnottheother?Andwhathadchangedtheminthefirstplace?Thenhesteppedawkwardlyonhistwistedankleandallthoughtswentoutofhisheadinarushofpain.

Theorcsawhimstumble. It swung.Felix lurchedasideandran it through theribs, joltinghisankleagain.Theorccollapsed.Felixnearlyjoinedit.Theworldwasfadinginandoutaroundhim.Another orc attacked, this one stringy and tall. Felix groaned. He wasn’t ready. He blocked andretreated,limpingbadly.

Halftheorcsweredead,andnotasingledwarfhadyetfallen,butbysheerweightandnumbers,thegreen-skinshadforcedthestoutwarriorsbackalmosttotheblackicethatglazedtheedgeofthecliff.Gotrekkilledanotheranditslidpasthimasitfell,spinningnoiselesslyintothevoid.

Felixsteppedbackagain.Hisbadfootshotbackontheice.Hiskneehittheslicksurfacewithasmack.His visionwent black and red.Hewas sliding backwards.The tall orc pushed in, eager tofinishhimoff,andinsteadsatdownabruptlyasitsfeetflewoutfromunderit.Felixgrabbedatthegreenskin’sbelt,moretostophimselfslidingthanasanattack,andpulledtheorctowardstheedge.Itscrabbleduselesslywiththickyellowfingernailsatthehardice,thenitwasgone.

Felixshuddered,terrified,thencrawleddelicatelybackupontothesnow,hissingandgroaning,asthebattleragedaroundhim.

Tohisright,Narinkickedanorc’slegoutanditslammeddownonitschinbeforesailingoffthecliff.Tohisleft,Thorgigjumpedbackfromacleaverslashandtrippedoverthecorpseofadeadorcbehindhim.Hefellflatonhisbackontheiceandstartedslidingheadfirstfortheprecipice.

“Thorgig!”roaredKagrin,andsteppedforwards,onlytosliphimself.Heclutchedataboulderashewatchedhisfriendspintowardsthevoid.

Thorgigrecoveredatthelastsecond,andslasheddownwithhislong-axe.Thehookedheeloftheheadbit into the iceandheld.Heswungtoastop,holdingone-handedontotheveryendofhisaxe-haftwithhisfeetdanglingofftheedge.

Thorgig’s orc swung atKagrin, still clinging to the boulder. It swung. The young goldsmithpushedaway,andtheorc’saxestrucksparksofftherock.Kagringasheditbehindthekneewithhishandaxeanditslegbuckled.Itfellonitsside,grunting,andslid,twistingandflailing,acrosstheice,comingperilouslyclosetodislodgingThorgigasitflewofftheedge.

“Holdfast,Thorgig!”calledKagrin,tearingintohispackandpullingouthisclimbingrope.Hebeganlashingoneendaroundtheboulder,butanotherorchadnoticedhimandwascomingaroundthefighttowardshim.Kagrindroppedtheropeandstood.

FelixpulledhimselftohisfeetandstartedforKagrin,buthisanklegaveoutandhenearlyfellagain.Hewouldneverreachhimintime.Helookedaroundhimdesperately.Kagrinblockedabrutalblowwithhishand-axeandwassmashedtotheground,dazed.

AseveredorcheadlaybehindGotrek.Felixsnatcheditbyitstopknotandturnedinacircle.Thegruesomethingwasamazinglyheavy—allskull,nobrain,nodoubt.Hisankleandkneeblazedwithpainashespun.

“Hoy!”heshouted,lettinggo.“Ugly!”Theorclookedupjust intimetotaketheheadofitscomradefull intheface.Itwasn’tahard

blow,butitdistracteditlongenoughforKagrintostaggerupandburyhisaxebladeinthething’s

gut.Theorcsteppedback,surprised,anditspaunchrippedopen,itsentrailsspillingoutofthewoundandslappingwetlyontheice.Itslippedonthemandcrasheddownintothesnow.Kagrinstoodandchoppeditthroughtheneck.Itspasmedanddied.Kagrinthrewdowntheaxeandturnedbacktohisrope.

FelixlimpedforwardstodefendKagrinwhileheuncoiledtherope,butashelookedaroundhesawtherewasnoneed.Thebattlewasover.Theotherdwarfsstoodpantingovertheirkills,thesnowallaroundthemstainedwithblood,bothredandblack.Gotrekclimbedoutofacircleofdeadorcsandrubbedthebladeofhisaxewithahandfulofsnow.Leather-beardhadalonggashacrosshisbarechest,buthiswasthegravestwound.Theresthadonlynicksandbruises.

KagrintossedtheendofhisropetowardsThorgig.Theotherdwarfsturned.“Careful,lad,”saidNarin.“Nosuddenmoves.”“That’swhyadwarfalwayscarriesanaxe,notasword,”saidSketti,lookingdisapprovinglyat

Felix’slongsword.“Aswordwouldn’thavestoppedyou.”Thorgigreachedoutgingerlywithhisfreehandandfeltfortheropebesidehim.Hefounditat

lastandgrippedittight.“Don’ttrytoclimb,”saidGotrek.“Justholdon.”HetooktheropefromKagrinandpulleditingently,handoverhand.Thorgigsliduptheicein

little jerks and starts, his axe dragging behind him, until Gotrek had pulled him to the snowline.Kagrintookhisfriend’shandandhelpedhimtohisfeet.Thorgig’sfacewassetandemotionless,buthewaswhite,andhishandsshook.

“ThankyouSlayer,”hesaid.“Thankyou,cousin.”HeturnedtoFelixandinclinedhishead,“Andthankyou,human.Isawwhatyoudid.Yousavedmylifeandthelifeofmyfriend.Ioweyouagreatdebt.”

Felixshrugged,embarrassed.“Forgetit.”“YoucanbesurethatIwillnot.”“Slayer,”saidDruric.“Weshouldthrowthebodiesovertheedge,andallthebloodysnowwith

them.Theremaybeanotherpatrol,anditwouldbebestiftheydidn’tlearnwhatbecameofthefirst.”“Aye,”saidGotrek,nodding.“Carryon.”While the others pushed and rolled the orcs off the edge, and scooped the stained snow after

them,Druric,whocarriedafieldkit,dressedandboundLeatherbeard’swound,andwrappedFelix’sswollenankleinbandages.

“Notbroken,Ithink,”hesaid.“Itmaystillkillme,”saidFelix,thinkingofthedescentbackdownthemountain.Sketti laughed asFelix forced his foot painfully back into his boot. “Nowmaybe you’ll slow

downandwalkataproperdwarfishpace.”“AndmaybeifIhungyoubytheneckyou’dgrowtoaproperhumanheight,”returnedFelix.Skettiblusteredandreachedforhisaxe.Gotrekgavehimalook.“Nevergetintoawarofwordswithapoet,Ironbreaker.Youcan’twin.”Whenalltheevidencehadbeenpitchedoffthecliffandthedwarfshadbandagedtheirwounds,

theysetoffonceagainupthesaddle-shapedslopeofsnowanddownthroughtherockypass.“There,”saidMatrak,afteranotherhalfhourofwindingaroundthecragsandcliffsofKarazHirn.“There is Birrisson’s door, that once led to the gyrocopter landing further up.” He pointed to anunremarkable stretch of black granite that looked to Felix no different from the rest of themountainside.

Druricstudiedthegroundastheypausedbeforeit.Heshookhishead,frustrated.“Thegroundistoohard,andthereisnosnowhere.Icannottellifthegrobihaveusedthisdoor.”Hesniffed.“Theyhaveleftnospoornearby.”

“Whereelsewouldtheyhavebeengoing?”askedNarin.“Circlingbackallthewaytotheentrance?”suggestedSketti.“Thereisn’tmuchofapaththatway,”saidoldMatrak.“Nopathatall.”“Iftheydousethisdoor,”saidThorgig,“doesitchangeourcourse?Wemustgoinevenifitis

defended.PrinceHamnirdependsonus.”“Itislikelynotwelldefendedevenifitisused,”saidNarin.“Theycan’texpectanattackfrom

thisquarter.”“Openitandwewillsee,”saidGotrek.Matraksteppedforwards,butthenhesitated,staringblanklyatthewall.“Don’ttellmewe’vecomeallthiswaytohaveyoutellusyou’veforgottenhowtogetin,”said

Narin.Hetooktinderfromhispackandlithistinlamp.Theothersfollowedhisexample.“Theyknowwecome.Theywaitforus,”saidMatrak.Hewasshivering.“Wewillalldie.”“Enoughofthat,youolddoomsayer,”saidSkettiangrily.“Openthedoor!”As the dwarfs lit their lamps, Matrak nodded and did something at the cliff face that Felix

couldn’tsee.Hesteppedback.Thedwarfswentonguard.Felixdrewhissword.Atfirstitseemedthatnothinghappened.ThenFelixfrownedandshookhishead,assaultedbyvertigo.Hiseyesfoughttofocus.Hefeltasifhewasslidingbackwards,thoughhisfeetweren’tmoving.No,itwasthecliff-facegettingfurtheraway!Atall,squaresectionof itwassinkingintothesurfaceof themountain.Felixstrainedhisears,butcouldhearnosoundofgearsorgrinding.

Afteramoment,thesquareofrockstopped,aboutfifteenpacesintothemountain,revealingtheedgesofadark,cut-stonechamber.Whenahordeoforcsdidn’tchargeoutof thedoorandattackthem,thedwarfsstartedforwards.

“Hold!”saidMatrak.“Thereisatrap.”Hesquattedatthegrooveinthefloor,whichtheslidingdoortravelledin,andreacheddownintoit.Afteramomentoffumbling,therewasaclunkthatFelixfeltmorethanheard,andMatrakstood.

“Nowitissafe,”hesaid.It didn’t feel safe. ThoughFelix saw nothing particularly alarming, as he andGotrek and the

otherssteppedwarily through thedoor,hecouldnot shake the feeling that somethingwasn’t right.Hisbacktingled,andhekeptlookingoverhisshoulder,thinkinghewouldfindevileyesglowinginthedarkness,buttherewasnothingthere.

Matrakclosedthedoorbehindthem.Onthisside,asimpleleveroperatedit.Thechamberwithinwasonlyofamoderatesize,bytheusualstandardsofdwarfarchitecture,withalowarchedceiling,criss-crossedwithwoodenbeams that supported ironpulleys andwincheshungwithheavychains.Workbenches, forges and writing desks cluttered the space, and old, half-built machines andcontraptions were everywhere. Their shadows moved across the walls of the workshop like theskeletons of strange mechanical beasts as the dwarfs passed among them with their lanterns. Agyrocopterlaydismantledinacorner.

Skettishookhisheadashelookedaround.“Engineersaremad,”hewhispered.“Allofthem.”Matrak led them to a shadowed archway on the far side of the room.Beyond itwas a short,

narrowcorridorthatrose,inaseriesoflong,shallow,slightlyslantingsteps,toastonedooratthefarend.

“Becareful,”saidMatrak,holdinguphishandashestoppedbeforeit.“HereiswhereBirrisetallhistrapsand—”Hefrozesuddenly,andthenwhimperedsoftly.

“Whatisit,now?”askedThorgig,annoyed.Matrak steppedback, trembling. “It isn’t right. It isn’t right,” saidMatrak. “Smellswrong.All

wrong.”The dwarfs lifted their bulbous noses and inhaled. Felix sniffed too, expecting the familiar

animalreekoforcs,butcouldsmellnothing.Thedwarfshoweverwerefrowning.“Fresh-cutstone,”saidKagrin.“Aye,”saidDruric.“Notmorethanaweekold.”“Theorcshavetakenupmasonrynow?”askedThorgig.Kagrin thrust his lantern through the arch, illuminating the corridor, and examined it with a

criticaleye.“Can’tbe,”hemurmured.“It’sallstraightandtrue.”Felixscowled.“Youcantellhowlongagostonehasbeencutbythesmell?”“Ofcourse,”saidSketti.“Mencan’t?”Felixshookhishead.“NonethatIknowof.”“Yoursisasad,weakrace,man,”saidSketti,pityingly.“Thatrulestheworld,”Felixretorted.“Onlybytheftandtrickery,”saidSketti,hisvoicerising.“Quiet!”barkedGotrek.HeturnedbacktoMatrak,whowasstaringintothecorridorwithwet,

frightenedeyes.“Whatdoesitmean,engineer?”“They’vecutstone.Grobiwhocutstone?It…”Hemoaned.“Itcanonlymeanthey’vechanged

the traps.”He turned toGotrek. “Valayaprotect us all.Theyknewwewere coming!They set newtraps!”

Gotrekgrabbedhimbythefrontofhischainshirt.“Stopyoursnivelling,Grimnircurseyou!”herasped.“Ifsomething’swrong,fixit!”

“He’slosthisspine,”sneeredSketti,turningaway.“Thegreenskinsstoleitfromhimbeforeheescapedthehold.”

“Youdidn’tsee!”wailedMatrak.“Youdon’tknow!Wearedoomed!”“Perhapsthere’sanotherexplanation,”saidNarin.“Itdoesn’thavetobecunninggrobi.Perhaps

the trappedclanshavemanaged to retakesomeof thehold.Perhaps theyhaveaddednewdefencesagainstthegrobi.”

“Ormaybethegreenskinsjustwalledupthefarsideofthedoor,andthat’swhatwesmell,”saidLeather-beard.

“Whateverthecase,”saidDruric,“we’dbestgowithcaution.Itwouldbeagrislyjoketobecuttopiecesbytrapssetbythosewecometorescue.”

GotrekreleasedMatrak.“Right.Geton,engineer.”Matrak hesitated, staring unhappily into the tunnel.Gotrek glared at him, hefting his axe.The

engineer swallowed and at last stepped reluctantly to the arch again, examining every inch of thesurrounding floor and wall before finally touching in sequence three square protrusions in thedecorativeborder.Felixheardnothing,butthedwarfsnodded,asiftheysensedthatthetraphadbeendisarmed.Theystartedforwards.

Matrak held up a hand. “Just to be sure.”He took off his pack and dropped it heavily on theflagstonesjustinsidethearch.Thedwarfssteppedback,butnothinghappened.

Matrakletoutalongheldbreath.“Right.”Hetooktwostepsintothecorridorandfroze,peglegintheair.Hebackedawayandwavedtotheotherstoretreat.Thereisanewnap.”Hewassweating.

Hesquattedandexaminedthefloor,runninghisfingerslightlyalongthehair-thinseambetweentwoperfectlycut flags,and then lookedaroundat thewalls.Somethingalong themouldingon the

rightsidecaughthiseyeandheshookhishead.“Isitdwarfwork?”askedNarin.Matrakchewedhisbeard.“Itcan’tbeanythingelse,butit’s…Nodwarfwouldadmittoworkthis

bad.”Hepointedtoasectionofthemoulding.“Lookhowpoorlyit’sset.”Felixcouldseenodifferencebetweenitandthenext,buttheotherdwarfsnodded.“Maybetheywererushed,”saidThorgig.“Maybetheytriedtofinishitbeforethegrobifound

thepassage.”“Evenrushed,adwarfwould takemorecare,”Matraksaid.“Something’swrong.Something’s

wrong…” He bent and pressed the new piece of moulding, then let out a breath as he sensedsomethingthatFelixcouldn’t.

“Goon,engineer,”saidGotrek,moregently.“Testitandmoveon.We’relateasitis.”Matrak nodded, and tested the new trapwith his pack.Nothing happened.He picked it up and

inched forwards again, lamp low to the ground. They proceeded in this slow, painstakingway allalongthecorridor,Matrakdisarmingtrapsheknew,findingnewoneshedidn’t,andlookingpalerandshakierwitheach.Thedwarfswatchedhiseverymove,tensingashesearchedforthenexttrap,andrelaxingashedisarmedit.

Felixlookedaroundatthewallsandceilingastheyprogressed,tryingtoseesignsinthestoneworkofwherethesetrapswouldspringfrom,buthecouldmakeoutnothing.Therewerenoholesorsuspiciousornamentationintheshapeofaxeorhammer.Thestoneblocksweresowellset,andtheirpatternssoregular,thathecouldnotimagineanytrapbehindthem.

WhileMatrak grewmore andmore petrified, the other dwarfs grewmore at ease, becomingconvinced that their brethren inside the hold still lived, andwere putting up a spirited defence ofreclaimedhallsandchambers.

“They’rekeepingthegrobiout,”saidSkettiHammerhand,astheynearedtheendofthecorridor.“It’sasplainasthenoseonyourface.There’llbedwarfsontheothersideofthatdoor,I’llbetmybeardonit.Weshouldstopthispussyfootingandcallthemtoletusin.”

“Itwill bemy father,” said Thorgig. “Hewouldn’t sit in his hold doing nothing,waiting forrescue.Hewouldbefightingback,attackingtheattackers.”

Matrakstoppedbeforethelaststep.Thedoorwasonlytwostridesaway.“Thefinalstepis thelastoftheoldtraps,”hesaid.Hereachedforatorchsconceintheright-handwallandpushedontheside of the basewith his thumb. It turned, andMatrak breathed a sigh of relief. “There,” he said,turningtotheothers.“Onlynewonestofind—”

Felixfeltadeepthudunderthefloorandaclickoverhead.

CHAPTERNINEThedwarfsfroze.Therewasarollingsoundintheceiling.

“Matrak looked up, blinking. The cunning villains,” he breathed, with something akin toadmiration.“They’vetrappedthedisarmingswitch.”

“Run!”roaredGotrek.Thedwarfs turned,butbeforetheyhadtakentwosteps,ahugesquareof theceilingabovethe

doorswungdown,itsleadingedgehittingthefloorwithaboom.Kagrinscreamed,hisfoottrappedunderit,hisanklecrushedtopaste.Arumblingcamefromtheholeintheceiling.

“Kagrin!”criedThorgig,turningback.“Fool!”Gotrekgrabbedhimbythecollaranddraggedhimon.Stone spheres the size of large pumpkins shot down from the hole and bounded down the

hallway.Thenoisewasdeafening.OnelandedsquarelyonKagrin’shead,squashingitflat,andthenspedonwiththeothers,leavingredsplotcheswitheachbounce.

The dwarfs ran as fast as their short legs could carry them. Itwasn’t fast enough. Skettiwasmoweddownbythreespheres.Theymashedhimtoapulp.Anotherspherehithisbatteredbodyandvaulted up into the air. Gotrek jerked his head aside and the sphere only grazed his temple. Hestaggeredandwoveon,bloody.Thorgigrecoveredhisfeetandranpasthim.AspheretookMatrak’speglegoutfromunderhimandhelandedflatonhisback.Anotherdroppedonhisbelly,burstingit.

Felixsprintedaheadofthedwarfs,ignoringtheagonyofhisankle,andthrewhimselfleftattheendof thecorridor.Astonesphereflewpasthim,missinghimby inches.He lookedbackandsawanothersphereknockDruricsidewaysintothecorridorwall.Hefell.Leatherbeardscoopedhimupwithbrawnyarmsanddivedoutof thecorridor to the right.Narinwas rightbehindhim.Thorgigdodgedacareeningsphereand landedfacefirstbesideFelix.Gotrekcameout last, staggeringandweavinginchesaheadoftwospheres,andcrashedontopofNarin,clutchinghisbleedinghead.

The spheres barrelled out of the corridor like charging bulls and smashed into Birri’scontraptionsandworkbenches,turningthemintoscrapandkindling,beforefinallylosingmomentumand coming to rest. A tall copper reservoir tank toppled slowly, two of its metal legs bent, andcollapsedtothefloorwithametalliccrashandabillowingeruptionofdust.

Felix and thedwarfs laywhere theyhad fallen, catching their breath andcollecting theirwits.Felixwasn’tsureifhewashurtorwhole,orhowmanyofhiscompanionsweredead.Hismindwasstillawhirlofrunninganddodging,andthenightmaregrindingsoundoftherollingspheres.

AgroanfromthecorridoratlastbroughtThorgigup.“Kagrin?”Hestood.“Don’tgetyourhopesup,lad,”saidNarin,sittingupandrollinghisneck.Hegingerlytestedhis

leftarm.Thorgigsteppedtothemouthofthecorridor.FelixandNaringottotheirfeetandjoinedthem.Gotrekstoodaswell,buthadtoholdthewall.“Whotiltedthefloor?”hemumbled.Leatherbeard pushed himself up and stood behind the others, pulling hismask straight so he

could see through the eyeholes.OnlyDruric stayedwhere he lay, curled into a tight ball, his eyesclampedshutinpain.

Anothermoancame from thehall.Felixand thedwarfs stepped forwards.Fouryards in, theyfoundoldMatrak.Helay,halfconscious,inapoolofhisownblood,oneofthespheresintheplacewherehisstomachhadbeen.Helookedupatthedwarfs.

“Knewitwasn’tright,”hemurmured.“Didn’tItellyou?”Thorgigtooktheolddwarfshand.“Grimnirwelcomeyou,MatrakMarnisson.”

“AmIdying,then?”Hewas dead before any could answer him.The dwarfs bowed their heads, and thenThorgig

looked further up the hall. Sketti lay ten feet away, his body shattered, his sightless eyes staringaccusinglyattheceiling.Beyondhimwasanotherbrokenlump.Thorgigstartedintotheshadows.

“Nolad,”saidNarin.“Youdon’twanttosee.”“Imust!”Thorgigcried.Butbeforehecould takeanotherstep, thedoorat theendof thecorridorswungslowlyopen,

halfhiddenbehindthegraniterampoftheceilingtrapthathadreleasedthestonespheres.Acrowdofhulking silhouettes filled it.One reached in and touched the decorative border that surrounded thedoor. There came a sound of gears and counterweights from thewalls, and the trapdoor that hadreleasedthestonespherestiltedbackupintotheceiling.Therewereclicksandthudsfrombehindthewallsallalongthecorridor.

“Thesearen’tthesurvivors,”saidNarin,steppingback.“Butit’simpossible,”insistedThorgig.“Grobicouldn’thavesetthesetraps!”“Perhapsnot,”saidLeatherbeard,“buttheyjustdisarmedthem.”Theorcspushedintothecorridor,lookingdownatKagrin’smashedcorpse.“Forget the traps,” slurred Gotrek. “Get them.” He stepped ahead of the others, weaving

drunkenlyandslappinghisaxehaftintohispalm.“Aye,”saidLeatherbeard,joininghim.“They’vemuchtoanswerfor.”The orc leader spotted the dwarfs in the gloom, and barked an order. The orcs stepped over

Kagrinandstalkedahead,silentandalert.“Ah,”saidFelix,back-pedalling.“Ihatetobethevoiceofreasonagain,butwewon’tmakethe

frontgate.Notwiththewholeholdroused.We’llleavePrinceHamnirhighanddry.”“Themanling’s right,Slayer,” saidNarin, edgingback. “Wemust return toHamnir andwarn

himoffhisattack.”Gotrekspatandgrowledavileoath,butsteppedback.Hepluckedupthespherethathadcrushed

oldMatrakasifitwasmadeofwoodratherthanstone,andbowleditunsteadily,butforcefully,attheorcs. It caught the first two in the shins andknocked themback into theothers, toppling them likeninepinsandcausingajumbledpile-up.“Right,”Gotreksaid,turning.“Out.”

As the other dwarfs started after the tottering Slayer, Leatherbeard stopped and squatted byDruric,whowasstillonlysemi-conscious.

“Gethimonmyback,”hecalledtoNarin.“Hurry.”NarinturnedbackandliftedDruricunderhisarms.Therangerscreamedinpain,sprayingblood

andspit.Narin ignoredhim.Therewasno time tobegentle.HedrapedhimacrossLeatherbeard’sbroadback.TheSlayercaughtDruric’slegsandstood.Thenhewentaftertheothers.Inthecorridor,theorcswerepickingthemselvesupandstartingforwardsagain.

Thorgig pulled the lever and the dwarfs squeezed through the slowly opening door onto themountainside,turningdownthepaththatledtotheZhufgrimscarp.Whentheywereallout,Thorgigflipped the leverdownand ran throughas thedoorbegan to reversedirections,but itwasclosingmuchtooslowly.

Theyranon.The sun squatted on the horizon, a bleeding red ball gutted by the jagged peaks of theBlack

Mountains.All itswarmthwasgone.The thinmountain airwasgrowing colderby themoment. ItfrozethesweatonthebackofFelix’sneck.ThehouragreeduponforHamnir ’sattackhadarrived,ifitwasnotalreadypast,andtherewasnothingtheycoulddototellhimthatthehornblastwouldnotbecoming.

“Iwillrepaytheorcsten-foldforthedeathofKagrinDeepmountain,”saidThorgig,hisfaceset.“Theyhavetakenagreatcraftsmanandagreaterfriend.”

Whohadnobusinessbeingthere,thoughtFelix,ashelookedoverhisshoulder.Thedoorwasslidingopenagain,and theorcswerepouringoutof it likeagreenriver.Thereseemednoend tothem,andtheywerealreadygaining.

“Poindesstocarryme,”gaspedDruricfromLeather-beard’sback.Hisfacewaswhiteandslickwithsweat.EachofthemaskedSlayer ’sjoltingstridesbroughthimfreshagony.“Legisbroken.Hipaswell.Won’tmakeitdownthemountain.”

“Bah!”saidLeatherbeard.“I’llstrapyoutomyback.We’llgetalong.”“We’ll fall,” saidDruric through his teeth. “Pegswon’t hold two.Leavemewithmy axe and

crossbow.Letmebuyyousometime.”“YouwantagreatdoomwhenIamdeniedone?”snarledGotrek.“Notlikely.”FelixobservedthatGotrekwashavingahardtimerunninginastraightline.“Aye,”saidLeatherbeard.“Ifthere’sanyonestaysbehindit’llbeme.ThisisSlayer ’swork.”“Ha!”Druriclaughed.Bloodfleckedhislips.“Doyoureallywanttoberememberedasamere

orcslayer?Leaveme,andsaveyourselfforabetterdeath.”Noonereplied,butonlyranoningrimsilence.“Valaya curse you for fools!” criedDruric. “Iwill not survive these injuries. Letme die as I

wish!”“Leavehim,”saidGotrek,at last.“Adwarf shouldhave the right tochoose themannerofhis

death.”TheycarriedDruricuntilthepathbecameanarrowledgebetweencliffandmountainside.The

dwarfscouldhardlywalkitwiththeirshoulderssquared.“Here,”saidGotrek.Leatherbeard stopped and lowered Druric to the ground. Felix looked back. The orcs were

hiddenaroundthecurveofthemountain,buthecouldhearthemcoming—heavybootsstomping,armourclanking.

Therangerslumpedacrosstheledge,cringinginpain.Hetookoffhispackandfieldkit.“Pegs,”hesaid,teethclenchedagainsthispain.“Icannotstand.Pinmetothewall.”

Thedwarfsdidn’tquestionhisorder.Leatherbeardliftedhimandproppedhimagainstthewallwhile Thorgig andNarin deftly tapped pitons through the back of his chain shirt at his neck andflanks.

Druricgrinned.Histeethwerefilmedwithblood.“Good.ThiswayIwillblocktheirwayevenwhenIamdead.”

Gotrekwasstillhavingtroubleholdinghimselfupright.Hekeptshakinghisheadandblinkinghisoneeye,onehandonthemountain’sflank.

“Allright,Gotrek?”askedFelix,concerned.Gotrekgrunted,butmadenoanswer.“It’sdone,”saidNarin,steppingback.HecockedandloadedDruric’scrossbowandputitinthe

ranger ’slefthandasThorgigputhisaxeinhisright.Theorcsroundedintoviewfiftyyardsback,lopinglikepatientwolves.“IhadhopedthatIwouldbetheonetofightyouforthehonourofmyclan,Slayer,”saidDruric.

“Iregretthatwillnotcometopass.”GotrekstooduprightandlookedDruricintheeye.“I’msorrytoo,”hesaid.“Diewell,ranger.”

Heturnedandstarteddownthepath.

The other dwarfs saluted Druric in dwarfish fashion, fists over their hearts. They followedGotrekwithout aword,Thorgig slingingDruric’s field kit over his shoulder. Felixwanted to saysomething in parting, but all he could think of was “good luck” and that somehow didn’t seemappropriate.Heturned,vaguelyashamed,andtrottedaftertheothers.

Fiftypaceson,theyheardsharpcriesandtheclashofsteelonsteelechoingfrombehindthem.GotrekandLeatherbeardcursed,almostinunison.Thorgigmutteredadwarfprayer.

Naringrowled.“Hewasagooddwarf,”hesaid.“Stonemongerorno.”ForalmostquarterofanhouritseemedthatDruricmighthavestoppedtheorcsentirely,forthe

dwarfsheardnosoundsofpursuit,butthen,astheywereclimbingthenarrowclefttothetreacheroussnowfield, theheavy treadofboots found themagain.Felixhad fallenbehind,his throbbingankleslowinghim,andhehearditfirst.Hepickeduphispace,hissingwitheachstep,andcaughtuptothedwarfs.

“Theygainagain,”hesaid.Gotrek nodded. He seemed to have recovered his balance, but the left side of his head was

bruisedandpurplebeneaththedryingblood.“Wewillhavetroubleatthetopofthecliff,”saidNarin.“Theywillcutthefirstropebeforewe

canalltraversethebulgetothepegs.”“Iwillstaybehindandprotecttherope,”saidLeather-beard.“Iwillstaybehind,”growledGotrek.Hestoppedastheyreachedthetopofthepass.“I’llhold

here.Wheneveryonegetsbelowthebulge,pegtheendofthefirstropeandblowthehorn.I’llcutitmyselfandswingdown.Keepthemfromfollowingusdown.”

“Swingdown?”saidThorgig,alarmed.“You’llpullthepegout.”“Pegittwicethen.”TheorcsappearedatthebottomofthepassandGotrekturnedtofacethem.“Go,”hesaid.“Thisisallmine.”But as Felix and the dwarfs turned to step out onto the snowfield, Leatherbeard looked up.

“What’sthat?”Felixlistened.Bootswererunningabovethem.Atfirsthethoughtitwasaweirdechofromthe

orcsinthepass,thenhesawlong,hulkingshadowslurchingacrossthemountainsideabovethepass.“They’vesplitup.Foundanothertrail.”

Thorgigcursed.“Theymeantogoaroundthepoolandcomeatusfrombehind.They’llfindtheropesandcutthem.”

“Flanked,”Gotrekgrowled.“Tothecliff!”Hestormedoutofthepassandledthemdownthesaddleofsnow.Theorcsburstoutnottwenty

pacesbehindthem,flowingdownthewhiteslopeafterthemlikeagreenstain.Thedwarfsranashardas theycould,but theyhadbeen trekkingandclimbingand fightingallday, andweregaspingandflushed.Felixhissedwitheachstep.Hisanklefeltthickandspongy.Bythetimethedwarfsreachedthemirrorpool, theorcswere tenpacesbehind.As they racedaround the shore towards thecliff-edge,theywereonlyfivepacesdistant,andFelixsawtheothergroupcomingdownfromthecragsandcirclingaroundtheoppositesideofthepool.Theywouldreachtheropesonlysecondsafterthedwarfsdid.

“Ironskin,”raspedGotrek,astheyhoppedtherushingfalls.“You’redownfirst.”Naringrunted.“Notmuchonsharingglory,areyou?”Gotrekskiddedtoastopnexttotheropeandturnedtofacetheorcsastheyboundedthestream,

asilentgreenavalancheofdeath.“I’llhold the left,”hesaid.“Therestofyouhold theright.Thendownonmycall.”

With a roar, the Slayer sprang tomeet the charging orcs, chopping down threewith his firstswing,andanother twowithhisbackhand.Theorcsswarmedhim,slashingathisnakedtorsowithsavage silence, but they could not penetrate the net of flashing steel hewove around himself.OrclimbsflewandorcaxesshatteredasGotrekblockedandbashed,hisorangecrestbobbingwildly.

Felix shookhis head.Hehad seen it a thousand times, but it never ceased to amazehim.TheSlayerinhiselementwasaterribleandawesomesight.Heseemednottohavetwoarms,butsix,andthreeaxes,allmovingatblurringspeed.

ThesecondgroupoforcscrashedintoFelixandtheothersfromtheleft,nearlydrivingthemoffthecliff.Theyheld justat thebrink,parryingandhackingfuriously.Felixgoredanorcandpulledanother past himover the edge as it thrustwith a crude spear. It bounceddown thebulge and intoemptyair.NarinandThorgigdispatchedoneeach,andLeatherbeardhackeddowntwo.

“Down,Ironskin!”cameGotrek’svoicefromthebloodyscrumtotheirright.Narin cursed as he gutted another orc, but backed from the combat as ordered, while Felix,

ThorgigandLeatherbeardclosedranks.Narinsnatcheduptheropeandstartedbackwardsdownthecliff.“Youdarenotdiehere,Gurnisson!”heshoutedovertheclashofweapons.“Youowemyfatherafight.”

FelixandtheotherswerepressedbacktobackwithGotrekastheorcspushedinonthemfromallsides,asurginggreenwall,outofwhichlashedsnappingtusks,massivefistsandblack-ironaxes.EveryswingandshiftofweightmadeFelix’sanklescream.Gotrekfoughttheleader,ahuge,milky-skinnedorcwhosebeadyblackeyesglitteredsilentlyattheSlayerwithcoldintensityastheyfought.Felixfrowned.Didn’torcshaveredeyes?Oryellow?

“Thorgig,down!”calledGotrek.“What?”criedtheyoungdwarf.“Mebeforethehuman?Iwon’t!”“Down,orIthrowyoudown,”growledGotrek,swinginghisruneaxeupthroughtheblack-eyed

orc’sjawandintohisbrain.“Themanling’sfoughtbymeformorethantwentyyears.Heknowshisbusiness.”

Thestrangenessoftheorc’seyesflewoutofFelix’sheadandhefeltaburstofprideasThorgigstarted,snarlingandreluctant,downtherope.Hedidn’tthinkhe’deverheardGotrekcomplimenthisprowess as a fighter before. He fought with renewed vigour, inspired by the off-hand praise,protectingtheSlayer ’sflankandrearashe’dalwaysdone,whileGotrekdealtbrutaldeathleft,rightandcentre.

On the other hand, he thought sheepishly, he wouldn’t have minded entirely if Gotrek hadthoughtlessofhimandlethimgodownfirst.

Deadorcslaythickontheground,buttheredidn’tseemtobeanylesspressingthem,andwithThorgigandNarinmaking theirwaydownthecliff,Gotrek,LeatherbeardandFelix foughtharderthanever.Felixwondered ifevenGotrekcouldkeep theorcsawayfromtheropealone.AcleavergrazedFelix’sleg,openingupanangryredgash,andadeadorc,fallingfromGotrek’saxe,nearlyknockedhimbackwardsoff thecliff.Hisankle throbbed,onepainamongmany.He feltdazedandnumb,thegreenhordeblurredbeforehim.Hecouldhardlyholduphissword.

“Down,manling,”Gotrekshouted.“It’sSlayers’worknow.”Felixnoddedandbackedoutof thefight, relieved,andtookuptherope.HesawLeatherbeard

puffupatGotrek’swords,justasFelixhadamomentearlier,andlayintotheorcsafresh,pleasedtothinkthatGotrekcountedhimhisequal.Strangehowsuchataciturnmisanthropecouldinspirewithanunconsideredword.

Ashelethimselfdown,handunderhand,feelinggingerlyforfootholdswithhisdamagedfoot,Felixwatched the twoSlayers fightback toback,axes flashingcrimson in the last raysof thesun,

their deep-muscled chests and backs streaked with sweat and blood, their thick legs braced widebeforetheonslaughtoftheraveninggreenhorde.Andthemadthingwas,theywerelaughing.Inchesfrom the cliff-edge—where a singlemisstep could send them plummeting— battling scores ofsavagebehemothsthatlustedfortheirblood,andtheylaughed.

Felixunderstoodthistoacertainextent.Hewasnotimmunetotheeuphoriaofbattle,tothemadrush thatcamewithputtingone’s lifeon the line,whenpainandwearinessandany thoughtsof thefuturewentawayandonewas lostentirely in thegloriousviolenceof themoment.But, forhimatleast,thiswasajoythatalwaysteeteredontheedgeofterror,theexcitementalwayswellmixedwithfear.TheSlayersseemedtohavenosuchqualms.Theylookedentirelycontent.

AsFelixedgedbelowthebulge,heheardGotrekshatterthatcontentmentwiththreelittlewords.“Leatherbeard,godown!”“Down?No!”shoutedthesecondSlayerthroughhismask.“Thegloryishere!”“There’snogloryinorcs,”saidGotrek.“Youheardwhattherangersaid.Down!”“ThisisnottherespectduetooneSlayerfromanotherSlayer!”saidLeatherbeardangrily,but

finallyFelixfelttheropejerkabovehimasthemaskeddwarfbeganhisdescent.ThoughFelixcouldnolongersee thefight, thesoundsof it rangdownfromthecliff like the

clangingofa foundry,harshcriesand theclashofsteelechoing through the thinmountainair.Helookeddown.NarinandThorgigwaitedbythefirstpeg,eachhangingfromhisownpeggedrope,lookingup.Theropefromthecliff topwas,asGotrekhadrequested,doubledpeggedat itsnetherend.

“Hurry,human,”saidThorgig.“TheSlayercan’tholdforever.”“Ibegintowonder,”saidNarinthoughtfully.“Hewillbeafearsomeopponent.Ifmyfatherdies

fightinghim,IwillbecomeThane,Grungnisaveme…”Therewas a thunder-crack bang from above.A bodywith a Slayer ’s crest hurtled past Felix,

plunging down the cliff into the twilight shadows below. Felix gaped. Had it been Gotrek?Leatherbeard?Helookedup.

Theropewentslackinhishands.Hefellawayfromthecliff.

CHAPTERTENFelixstaredatthelooseropeashedropped,stupidwithshock.Anotherbodywasfallingwithhim,bellowing.HecaughtaglimpseofThorgiggapingathimasheplummetedpasthim,andthought,“Iamgoingtodie.”Thentheropejerkedtaut,andrippedoutofhishands.Hespunandslammedupsidedown into thecliffwith teeth-jarring force, stoppedshortbysomething thatgrabbedhis leftankle.Hislegwasnearlypulledoutofitssocket.

Hesuckedina tremulousbreath,heartpoundingandbodyringinglikeabell.Hispalmswerewetwithshocksweat.Theworldwasupsidedown,anddimattheedges.

I’malive,hethought,thoughhewasn’tsurehow.Heshouldhavebeenspinningdowntheclifflikeastrawdoll.

Someone groaned below him. He tipped his head back to look down. Leatherbeard held onwoozilytotheropetwentyfeetfurtherdownthecliff,therighthalfofhismaskscrapedandscarredandhisrightshoulderbloody.

IfLeatherbeardwashangingfromtherope,thenitwasGotrekwhohadfallen.Gotrekwas…Asearingpaininhisankledrovethethoughtaway.Well,hehadtwistedit,hadn’the?Thenhe

realiseditwastheotheranklethathurtnow.Hefoughtgravitytolookupatit.Itwascaughtinaloopof rope — a loop that was being drawn tighter and tighter by the weight of the masked Slayerclingingtoitbelowhim.Itwasagony,abrightfireatopthedullthrobofallhisotherachesandpains.

“Leatherbeard,getoffthe—”Felixsnappedhismouthclosed,terrifiedbywhathehadalmostdone.TheSlayer ’sweightwas

allthatkeptFelixfromfalling.Ifheletgooftheropeandclungtothecliffinstead,theloopwouldloosenandFelixwouldslipaway.

“Holdfast,manling,”cameThorgig’svoice,andtheyoungdwarfrappelleddowntostopbesidehimasNarindroppeddowntoLeatherbeard.

Thorgigheldouthishand.“Takeit.”Felixreachedoutandclaspedithard.Belowhim,NarinwashelpingLeatherbeard,swinginghis

rope towardshim.TheSlayercaught itand transferredeasily.ThepressureonFelix’sankle letupandhedroppedagain,scrapingdowntheroughclifffacetoswingfreefromThorgig’shand.

“Now,taketherope,”saidThorgig.Felix grabbed Thorgig’s rope with his free hand, wrapped his legs around it, and let go of

Thorgig’shand.He and the threedwarfshung from the ropes and caught their breath.They couldheartheorcsmarchingawayabovethem,asvoicelessasever.

“TheSlayerisdead?”Thorgigasked,lookingdownintothedarknessbelow.“We’llknowwhenwegettothebottom,”saidNarin.“SurelyevenGurnissoncan’thavesurvivedafalllikethat,”saidThorgig.Narinshrugged.“Ifanyonecoulditwouldbehim.”“Butwhatknockedhimoff?”askedThorgig.“Whatwasthatbang?”“Maybetheyhadashamanwiththem,”saidNarin.“Isawnoshaman,”saidLeatherbeardwearily.“Comeon,”saidNarin.“Downwego.Nopointinspeculating.We’relateforHamnir.”Theirdescentwasmuchquickerthantheirascenthadbeen.Thedwarfsusedlinesandpegsthe

wholeway,andrappelleddowningrasshopper-likeleaps.Felixtookitslower.Hisanklewouldnotallowhimtheirlonghops,andhewentdowninsilence,

hismindstrugglingtotakeinthethoughtthatGotrek,atwhosesidehehadwalkedformorethantwodecades,mightbedead.

Itwastooearlytogrieve—hecouldn’tyetbelievetheSlayerwasgone.Buttheideaofalifewithouthimmadehisheadspin.Whatwouldhedo?FollowingtheSlayerhadoccupiedalmostallofFelix’sadultlife.HisdutytorecordtheSlayer ’sdeathhadgoneonforsolongthathehadahardtimerememberingwhat it had replaced.What had hemeant to dowith himself before hemetGotrek?Write poetry, plays? Give up his bohemian ways and help his brother with the family business?Marry?Havechildren?Isthatwhathewantednow?

Howoldwashenow?Forty?Forty-two?HehadlosttrackoftheyearsduringhisandGotrek’stravelsintheeast.Wasittoolatetopickupwherehehadleftoff?Wasaforty-year-oldstudenttooridiculous?Ofcourse,evenifGotrekweredead,Felixstillowedhimsomeworkbeforehegotonwithhislife.HisvowwouldnotbefulfilleduntilhehadwrittentheepicoftheSlayer ’sdeath.

Hisheartsankatthethought.Gotrekwouldbefurioustohaveitrecordedthathehaddiedatthehandsof“mereorcs”.Itwasn’tafittingdeathforaSlayerthathad,inhistime,killeddaemonsandgiants, an anti-climax of the first order.Gotrekwould never let Felix hear the end of it. Except…Felixchokedbackanunexpectedsobasitfinallyhithim.ExceptGotrekwas…

“Thereheis,”saidNarin,farbelowhim,pointingdown.Felix stareddown into thegloomof thecauldronvale, eyes searching, andat lastmadeout a

patchofbrightredhairontheshoreofthechurninglake.TheSlayerlaymotionlessonhisstomach,halfin,halfoutofthewater.Hadhefallentherefromthecliff,ordraggedhimselftotheshore?Felixalmostlosthisgripashehurriedtolowerhimselftotheground.

Narin,ThorgigandLeatherbeardweredownbeforehim,butoutofsomesenseoffitness,waiteduntil he had reached the ground before starting around the steep shore of the boiling lake to thebroad,prostrateform.AtFelix’slimpingpace,itseemedtotakeforever,butatlasttheystoodoverhim.TherewasjustenoughlightleftinthevaletoseethatGotrek’sbackandneckwereaflaming,angry red, as if agianthandhadslappedhim.Hisoneeyewasclosed, andhiscrestwas limpandbedraggled.Bloodranfromhisnoseandmouth,andpooledontheblackshaleunderhishead.Therewasmoretricklingfromunderhisshoulder.Hisaxelaybesidehim.

“Gotrek?”saidFelix.Therewasnoanswer.FelixsquatteddownandreachedouttowardstheSlayer,butthenhesitated.Ifhetouchedhimhe

wouldknow,andhewasafraidtoknow.“Gotrek…Areyou?”Gotrek’s eye fluttered open. He groaned, and then coughed violently. Water spilled onto the

shale.Felixandthethreedwarfsbreathedsighsofrelief.Gotrek’scoughingsubsided.“Slow-pokes,”hesaid,barelyaudible.“Whattookyou…solong?”Narinkneltbesidehim.“Canyoumove,Slayer?Anythingbroken?”Gotrekthoughtforalongmoment,eyesclosed,andthenopenedthemagain.“No,”hemumbled.

“Just…stingsabit.”Hetriedtoturnoverandsitup,buthisarmstrembledandhesankback.ThorgigandLeatherbeardhelpedhimupandsathimonarock.Hehissedwitheverymovement

andtouch.Felixsawthathehadadeep,bloodywoundinhisleftshoulder.“Whatisthat?”heasked,pointing.Gotrekblinkeddownatthewound.“That?”Heliftedhishandtowardsit,butseemedtootired.

Heletitdropinhislap.“ThatisthereasonIlefttheorcs.”“Don’ttellmeyoumadethatleaponpurpose,”snortedLeatherbeard.“Ofcoursehedid,”saidNarin.“Asparrowinsultedhisgreat-great-grandfather,andheleaptoff

tochallengeit.”Thorgiglaughed.TheyallseemedabitgiddytofindGotrekalive.“Sparrowslayer,they’llcall

him.”“No,”Gotreksaid,shakinghisheadheavily.“Theyshotme.Knockedmecleanoffthecliff.”“Shotyou?”askedThorgig,confused.“Withwhat?That’snoarrowwound.”“Along-gun,”saidGotrek.“Orcsdon’thaveguns,”scoffedNarin.“Theybarelyhavefire.”“Adwarflong-gun,”finishedGotrek.Thedwarfsfellsilent.“Theseareverystrangeorcsindeed,”saidThorgigatlast.Felix’smemoryflashedbacktotheorclieutenant’sglitteringblackeyes.Hehadtoagree.ThorgigopenedDruric’sfieldkitandbroughtoutbandages.HeboundGotrek’sshoulderasbest

hecouldastheotherssawtotheirownhurts.Whenhewasallpatched,Gotrektriedtostand.Heswayedlikeawheatstockinthewindandsat

backdown.“Curseit.Leatherbeard,yourshoulder.Wecan’twait.”LeatherbeardhelpedGotrekupandslippedhisshoulderunderhisarm.Gotrek cocked an eyebrow at Felix as they started around the pool. “All right,manling?You

lookalittlepale.”Felix coughed. “I… I’m just glad I didn’t have to make ‘knocked off a cliff by orcs’ sound

heroic.”“Didn’tthinkIwasdead,didyou?”“It…itcrossedmymind.”Gotreksnorted.“Youshouldhavemorefaith.”Hehissedandstumbled.Leatherbeardcaughthim

andtheycontinued.“Goodthingthatpoolwasdeepthough.”Theyhurriedasfastas theycouldaroundthebaseofKarazHirn.Thiswasn’tveryfastatfirst,butGotrekrecoveredhimselfafterabouthalfanhour,andwasabletowalkonhisown.Theymadebettertime after that, though it was still hard going, pushing through the rough terrain and denseundergrowth of the pine forests in almost utter darkness. The dwarfs, not wanting to draw theattentionofanymoregrobipatrols,disdainedtheuseoflanterns,andnavigatedthewoodswiththekeen tunnel-born sight of their race. Felix, however, was constantly cracking his head on lowbranches,orre-twistinghisankleonprotrudingroots.

Afterafurtherhourofdifficulttravel,thefivecompanionscametothevalleythroughwhichrantheolddwarfroadthatledtoKarakHirn’sfrontdoor.Astheypushedthroughathickwoodtowardstheroad,Leatherbeardstoppedandheldupahand.

“Someone’sontheroad,”hewhispered.Theylistened.Theclinkingandrumblingofanarmyonthemarchreachedtheirears,andhere

andtheretorchlightwinkedthroughthetangleofbranches.“Itcan’tbeHamnir,”saidThorgig.“Theforwardpositionisamilenorthatleast.Hecan’tstill

begettingintoposition.”“Whoelsecanitbe?”askedNarintuggingontheburntpieceoftheShieldofDruttiinhisbeard.

“Reinforcementsfromanotherhold?”“Orcscomingupfrombehind?”askedLeatherbeard.“Wewon’tfindoutbytalking,”saidGotrek.Hepushedforwardsandtheothersfollowed,more

cautiously,unlimberingtheirweaponsastheywent.Soonthewoodthinned,andtheylookedoutat theroadfromitsshadowstoseeadwarfarmy

marchingslowlysouth.“ItisHamnir!”saidThorgig.“Whathashappened?He’sgoingthewrongway!”Leatherbeardpointedtothetailofwoundedanddeadonstretchersandponycartstrailingbehind

themaincolumn.“Didthefoolattackwithoutoursignal?”askedNarin.“PrinceHamnirisnotafool!”saidThorgigangrily.“Heisifheattackedabuttoned-downhold,”saidGotrek.“Comeon.”Thedwarfssteppedoutofthewoodandwalkedupthewearycolumntoitshead.Alongtheway,

variousdwarfsglaredatthem,faceshardandangry.Someofthemspatatthesightofthem.“Ah,thehero’swelcome,”saidNarin.“Whatarewesupposedtohavedone?”askedThorgig.When they reached the front they found Hamnir marching grimly with Gorril and his other

lieutenants.Hamnirhadacutonhisforehead,andhischainmailwasrentintwoplaces.Gorrilandtheothersweresimilarlybattered.Theylookedutterlyexhausted.

HamnirgaveGotrekaflatglanceashefellinstepwithhim.“So,youlive.Iamsorrytohearit.”“SoamI,”saidGotrek.“Wasn’tthroughlackoftrying.”Hamnir ignored him. “Dead, youwould have been a hero— the brave Slayerwho tried and

failed towinhisway into thehold toopen thedoor for thearmy.Alive…alive,youhavea lot toanswerfor.”HelookedatThorgigsadly.“Asdoyou,Thorgig.”

“Thegrobi discovered us, prince,” saidThorgig, hurt. “Wewould not have reached the frontdoortoopenit.Wedidourbesttoremainaliveinordertoreturnandwarnyounottoattack.”

“Ifyouattackedwithoutoursignal,”saidGotrek,“youhavealottoanswerfor.”“Wedidnotattack!”criedHamnir.“Wewereattacked!Thegreenskinsraidedourpositionwhile

wewaitedtohearthehorn—archersinthehillsthatwecouldnotengage,skirmisherswhostruckandran,wolfriders.Wedarednotpursue,forfearofscatteringourforce,andsowesat,waiting,forasignalthatnevercame,whiletheypickedusoffinonesandtwos,andwekilledoneforeveryfivetheyslew.”

“Prince,”saidThorgig,hisyoungfacepalebehindhisbeard.“Forgiveus,wehadno—”“Indeed, Idohavea lot to answer for,” continuedHamnir,hotly, interruptinghim. “Forwhen

Gorrilandtheothersbeggedmetowithdrawandgivethedayupforlost,Iwouldnot,forIhadfaithinmyoldcompanion,GotrekGurnisson.SurelythegreatSlayerwouldnotfail.Surelyitwouldonlybeamatterofafewmoreminutesbeforeweheardthehorn.”Hehunghishead.“Formyfoolishness,Ilostanotherfiftynobledwarfs.”

Gotreksneered.“Youblamemebecauseyou’reabadgeneral?”Gorril andThorgigbristledat that,butHamnirwaved themdownwitha tiredhand.“Iamno

generalatall,asyouwellknow.Iamatrader,asellerofsharpsteel,finealeandpreciousgems.Itisfateanddutythathavebroughtmetothispass,notinclination.Icanonlydomybest.”HeturnedhardeyesonGotrek.“Justasyouvowedtodoyourbest.”

“YouthinkIhavenot?”Gotrekgrowled.“Youarealiveandthedoorremainsclosed.Canyousayyougaveyourall?”“Ourdeathswouldnothavewonthedoor,PrinceHamnir,”saidNarin.“Thegrobiwerealerted

toourpresencewhenpooroldMatrak trippedanewtrap,whichkilledhimandKagrin,andSkettiHammer-hand.Theycamethroughthesecretdoorandattackedus,andevenhadwedefeatedthem—”

“Newtraps?”interruptedGorril,hisvoicesharp.“Whatdoyoumean,newtraps?”Hamnirmoaned.“MatrakandKagrindead?”

“ThereweretrapsinthepassagethatMatrakdidnotknowof,myprince,”Thorgigexplained.“Dwarfwork,hesaid,andbuiltwithinthelastweek,bythesmellofthenew-cutstone.Hefoundanddisarmedallbutthelast.”

“Theorcsopenedthesecretdoorandtouchedthesecretleversthatdisarmedallthetrapsasiftheyhadbuiltthemthemselves,”saidNarin.

“Impossible,”saidHamnir,ashen-faced.“Aye,”continuedLeatherbeard,“buttruenone-the-less.Weallsawit.”“Evenhadwedefeatedtheorcswhocamethroughthesecretdoor,”continuedNarin,“thealarm

hadalreadybeenraised.Therewouldhavebeenanentireholdofangrygreenskinstofightthrough.PerhapsSlayerGurnissonmighthavemade it, but the restofuswouldnothave lived tohelphimopenthedoors.”

Hamnir ’sheaddrooped.Hestaredatthegroundforalongwhile,andthen,atlast,lookedupatGotrek.“Ifthistaleistrue,thenIsupposeImustbelievethatyouhavedonewhatcouldbedone.”

Gotreksneered,unappeased.“Buthowcanthesethingsbe?”Hamnircontinued,almosttohimself.“Howcantherehavebeen

trapsthatMatrakdidnotknowof?Howcouldthegrobiknowtheiruse?Itmakesnosense.”“I fearwemay only learn the answers to these questions oncewe have retaken the hold,my

prince,”saidGorril.“Aye,”saidHamnir,hisjawtightwithfrustration.“Aye,buthowarewetodoit?Theyseemto

havecountersforoureverymove!Wethoughtthistheonlywaypossible.Canwefindanother?”“Maybeyoucanconvincethemtotradetheholdforsomefinealeorpreciousgems,”Gotrek

growled.Hamnir ’s fists clenched. “If there was a chance that it would work, I would do it,” he said.

“Wouldyou,Slayer?Orwouldyouleavetheholdtothegrobibecauseyoufoundthewinningofitlacking in glory?” He moved pointedly away from Gotrek, and began talking in low tones withGorril.

GotrekglaredatHamnirforalongmoment,thengruntedandlookedaway.TheSlayerandtheprinceremainedsilentandsullenfortherestofthemarch.Felixwondered

againwhat itwas thathadmade themhate eachother so.Evenamongdwarfs, thegrudgebetweenthemseemedparticularlymalignant.Oneusuallyonlysawthissortofintensehatredbetweenbrotherswhohadfallenout.Gotrekhadsaidithadbeenoverabrokenvow,butwhathadthevowbeen?DidithavesomethingtodowithGotrektakingtheSlayers’oath?Aninsult?Awoman?Astight-lippedastheSlayerwas,Felixmightneverknow.The next day, after a deep and well-deserved sleep, Felix joined Gotrek as he reconvened withHamnir,Gorril, oldRuen, and the prince’s other counsellors inHamnir ’s quarters. It seemed that,howevermuchenmitytherewasbetweenGotrekandtheprince,Hamnirstillwantedhisadvice.

Beforethemeeting,Felixwasseentobyadwarfphysician,awhite-hairedlong-beardwithgoldrimmedspectacles,whoignoredallFelix’syelps,gaspsandcursesasheunmercifullyproddedandtwistedhisswollenankle.Itfeltasiftheoldmumblerwasbreakingwhathadonlybeenasprain,butto Felix’s surprise, after the dwarf had smeared it with vile-smelling unguents and wrapped it inbandages,theswellingactuallywentdownandhewasabletowalkonitalmostwithoutwincing.

FelixandtheothermembersofthepartywhohadattemptedtopenetrateBirri’ssecretpassagewere invited to attend so that they could relate everything that had occurred: every trap and everytriggertheyhadfound,everyencounterwiththestrangeorcs.Astheyfinished,theassembleddwarfsshooktheirheads,bewildered.

“Thereareonlytwopossibilities,”saidHamnir,“andneitherofthemispossible.Itcan’tbethe

greenskins,theyhaven’ttheskill,anditcan’tbethedwarfsurvivors,becausetheywouldneverallythemselveswithgrobi.”

“Forgivemeforspeakingoutofturn,”saidFelix,“butIcanthinkofafewotherpossibilities.”“Goon,”saidHamnir.“Well,” said Felix, “perhaps some covetous group of dwarfs has decided to overthrow your

family,princeHamnir,andtaketheholdforthemselves,andareusingenslavedorcsasacover.”Thedwarfslaughed.Hamnirmade a face. “This is a thing a dwarfwould never do.Dwarfs do notwar upon each

other.Wearetoofewtothinourranksthisway,andevenifwedid,nodwarfwouldsendourmosthatedfoesagainsthisfellows,nomatterwhattheprovocation.”

“Are there not dwarfs thatworship theChaos gods?” askedFelix. “Fromwhat I have seenofthem,theywouldnotscrupletouseanyweapon.”

“Aye,”saidHamnir,“buttheirrealmisfarfromhere,beyondtheWorldsEdgeMountains,andnorth.Itwouldbeextremelystrangetofindthemsofarsouth.”

“Theyhavebeenknowntoenslavegrobi,”addedGorril,“butthisisdonewiththewhipandtheclub.Left alone, the greenskins rebel anddowhat theywill. If the grobiwe encounteredhadbeenslaves,therewouldhavebeenDawiZharroverseerswiththem,drivingthemintobattle.”

“Thenwhataboutsorcerousenslavement?”askedFelix.“Whatifsomewizardisbendingthemtohiswill?”

Hamnirfrowned,thinkingitover.“Asorcerermightpossiblyenslavegrobithisway,thoughsomany,andatsuchgreatdistances?Idon’tknow.Dwarfsareresistanttomagicalinfluence,soitwouldtakeaverygreatsorcererindeedtoturndwarfmindswhileatthesametimemaintainingaholdoverallthosegrobi.Idon’tbelievesuchaoneexistsintheworldtoday.”

“SkettiHammerhandsuggestedtheelfmage,Teclis,”saidThorgig.Gotrek snorted. “Teclismay be as twisty as the next elf, but even hewouldn’t stoop to using

grobi.”Hamnirsighedandlookedoffintothemiddledistanceforamoment,lostinthought.“Sorcery,

treacheryorenslavement,wemustretaketheholdregardless,”hesaidatlast,“andimmediately!MyworstfearwasthatthedwarfsoftheDiamondsmithclanweremurderedorstarvingtodeath,butHerrJaegerhasmademefearthatevenworsehasbefallenthem.Nodwarfwouldsuccumbtotorture,butthat doesnotmean thegrobiwouldn’t try it. If there is indeed sorcery involved, their fatemaybemoreterribleeventhanthat.Ican’tbearthethoughtthatFerga—”Hebrokeoff,embarrassed.“I’msorry,butwecannotallowthemtosufferonemoredaythannecessary.”

“Agreed,”saidoldRuen.“Theirfateisashametousall.”“Thequestionremains,”saidNarin, idly twistingthesliverofwoodinhisbeard,“howdowe

reachthem?Howdoweretaketheholdwithallentranceswatchedandtrapped?”Thedwarfssatinsilence,ponderingthequestionmorosely.After a long interval,Hamnir put his head in his hands and groaned. “Theremay be another

way,”hesaidatlast.Gotreksnorted.“Another‘secret’doorthatthegrobiknowallabout?”Hamnirshookhishead.“Theycannotknowaboutthisdoor,foritdoesnotyetexist.”Thedwarfslookedup,frowning.“What’sthis?”askedLodrim,theThunderer.HamnirhesitatedforsolongthatFelixwonderedifhehadfallenasleep,butthenhesighedand

spoke.“Ididnotmentionthiswaybefore,fortworeasons.One,itrequiresgoingovergroundtoDukGrung,andthenreturningonthedeeproadtoourmines.Ihadfearedourtrappedbrethrenwoulddie

duringtheweekthisjourneywouldtake,butifthealternativeisnevergettingin,thenaweekitmustbe.Second…”hepausedagain,andthencontinued.“Second,thisisasecretthatIhavesworntomyfathernever to reveal,underanycircumstances,a secret thatonly threedwarfs in thisworldknowabout—myself,myolderbrotherandmyfather.EventhoughImaysavetheholdbyrevealingit,Idoubt my father will ever forgive me. I may never be allowed to live in Karak Hirn once it isrecovered,butIcanthinkofnootherway.”

Gorril looked pale. He stroked his beard nervously. “My prince, perhaps we can discoveranotherway. Iwouldnotwish to seeyoubanished fromyourhome.Nordo Iwant to angerKingAlrik.”

“Iamopentosuggestions,”saidHamnir.“Ifthereisanotherway,Iwouldgladlytakeit.ThisisnotastepIwishtomake.”

Thedwarfsthought,mumblingonetoanother.“Perhaps…”saidGorril,afterawhile.Everyonelookedup,buthetrailedoff,shakinghishead.“If there were only a way to…” said Thorgig a moment later, but he too left his sentence

unfinished.“Wemight…”saidNarin,andthenfrowned.“No,wemightn’teither.”AtlastHamnirsighed.“Verywell,”hesaid.“ThenImustdowhatmustbedone.”Hesatupand

lookedaroundthetable,meetingtheeyesofallhiscouncillors.“Myfatherisatruedwarf,andtakesatruedwarfs pride in keepinghis personalwealth safe fromall prying eyes andgraspinghands. Inpursuitofthisgoal,hebuilt,withhelpfromonlymyselfandmybrother,avaultofwhichnooneelseknowstheexistence.”

“Yourfather ’svaultisinthethirddeepofhisclan-hold,”saidalongbeard.“Allknow…”“That is thevaultheshowstheworld,”saidHamnir,“wherehekeepsthemajorityofhisgold

andhiscommontreasures.ButyouwillnotfindtheMaulofBarrinthere,ortheCupofTears,ortheWarStandardofoldKingRanulf,ourclanfather,orthetwentyingotsofblood-goldthatcouldbuyallthe other treasures of the clan vault. They are not to be shown. They are for his eyes alone, as itshouldbe.”

ThedwarfsofKarakHimstared,amazed.“Blood-gold,”murmuredoldRuen.“So,”askedGorril,involuntarilylickinghislips.“So,whereisit?”Hamnirsmiledslyly.“ThatIwillnottellmorethanthosewhoneedtoknow.Sufficetosaythat

theentranceishiddennearmyfather ’squarters,andfromit,asmallcompanymightreachthefrontdoors.”

“Fromit?”saidThorgig,confused,“But,prince,howdowereach thevault toexit it?Does ithavemorethanonedoor?”

“No,itdoesnot,”saidHamnir,“butthereisstillawaythatwemightenter.Yousee,thevaultisanoldexploratoryshaft,fromthefirstKingRanulf’stime—sunk,thenabandoned,whenitstrucknoore.Myfatherfounditinhisyouth,andkepttheknowledgesecretuntilhehadsonstohelphimmakeavaultof it.Hedideverythinginhispowertoeraseanyrecordof theshaft,destroyingall theoldmapsandtextshecouldfind.”Hishandsclaspedeachothernervously“Whilesecret,thevaultisnotproperly secure.We three were not able to reinforce its walls, nor inscribe them with protectiverunes.Thetreasuresmerelysitatthebottomoftheshaft,reachablebythestepswecutintoitswalls,andsurroundedbyrawrock.Thevault’sstrengthwasthatnooneknewitslocation,orthatitexistedatall.”Hehunghishead.“Withthisadmission,thatstrengthhasnowvanished.”

“Er,youhaven’tyettoldushowwearetoenterit,myprince,”saidGorrilgently.Hamnir nodded. “I am avoiding it. I apologise. Here it is. The shaft sinks to the level of the

mines,nearthediggingsmygreatgrandfatherabandonedwhentheykrukedoutunexpectedlyfifteenhundredyearsago.Oneofthekruk’stunnelspasseswithintenfeetofthevaultshaft.”

Thedwarfslookedathimsilently.“Sowedigfromthetunneltothevault?Isthatit?”askedoldRuenfinally.“Thenweclimbtheshaftandexitthevaultwithinthehold.Aye,”saidHamnir.“You’reright,”saidGorril.“Youfatherwouldnotapprove.Notonlydoyouleadapartytothe

locationofthevault,youopenadoortoitthatcannotquicklybeshut.Theking’streasurescouldbestolenfrombelowwhilewearebusytryingtoretakethehold.”

“Whataboutthegrobi?Won’ttheyhearyou?”askedGotrek.“Theyholdtheminestoo.Ordoyouexpectmetoholdthemoffforyouwhileyoumessaboutwithpicksandshovels?”

“Thekruk is far removed from theactivemines,” saidHamnir. “Thereare leaguesof tunnelsandastonedoorbetweenthem.Thegrobihaven’tdwarfsenses.Theywon’thearus.”

Gotrek snorted, “Wouldn’t surpriseme if they’rewaiting for us inside the vault oncewe digthroughthewalls.”

“Thatisimpossible,”saidHamnir,angry.“Onlythreedwarfsknewofthevaultbeforetonight,myfather,myolderbrother,andmyself,andnoneofuswereintheholdwhenthegrobitookit.Theycannotknow!”

“Alotofimpossiblethings’vebeenhappeninglately,”saidoldRuen,thoughtfully.Thedwarfs consideredHamnir ’splan in silence,puffingon theirpipes andglowering. Itwas

cleartheydidn’tlikeit.Adwarfholdthatlostitstreasurelostitshonour.Theywouldbeseenasweak:poorbuilderswhocouldn’t protect their possessions. IfHamnirwon thehold, but lost his father ’streasure,manydwarfswouldconsiderhisvictoryaloss.

AtlastGorrilsighed.“Itseemsitisouronlyoption.”“WecouldwaitforKingAlriktoreturnwithhissevenhundredwarriors,”saidtheThunderer.

“Hewouldknowwhattodo.”FelixheardHamnir ’sknucklescrack.Hisfacewasrigid.“That…willnotdo.Inthefirstplace,

ourcousinswhoare trapped in theholdcannotwait that long. In the second, toallow thegrobi tooccupyourhomeforadaylongerthanisnecessaryisintolerable.Third,Iwillnothavemyfatherreturntofindsuchatragedyunresolved.Itwouldbreakhisproudheart.”

Not tomentionmakingyoulookaworthlessfool inhiseyes, thoughtFelix. It lookedlike therestwerethinkingthesamething,butnoonesaidanything.

“Rightthen,”saidGorril.“Whowillgo?”“Iwill,”saidThorgigimmediately.“AswillI,”saidGorril,“andwe’llneedsomeskilleddiggers.”Helaughed.“Thetroublewillbe

stoppingeverydwarfinthecastlefromvolunteering.”“Youwillnotgo,Gorril,”saidHamnir.Gorrillookedstricken.“But,myprince…”“No,”saidHamnir.“YouprovedyesterdaythatyouareamoreablegeneralthanI.Hadyoubeen

incommand,manydwarfswouldbealivetoday.Youwillstayandleadtheassaultonthemaindoor.Iwillleadthepartytothemine.Icanburdennooneelsewiththeknowledgeofthevault’slocation.Itsopeningmust beonmyhead alone.Nootherwill suffermy father ’swrath.”He turned toGotrek.“You, Slayer, may stay here, or go north to fight Chaos if you wish. You have already comeperilouslyclosetodyingwhilehonouringyourvowtome.Ifreeyoufromfurtherobligation.Ihavenowishtoforcemyunwelcomecompanyuponyouforthedurationofourjourney.”

Gotrek glared at Hamnir for a long moment. “You must not think much of my honour,Ranulfsson,”he said finally, “I swore tohelpyou retakeKarakHirn.Unlike some I couldname, I

don’tbreakmyvows.I’llleaveonceyou’resittinginyourfather ’schairinthefeasthall.Then,we’lltalkaboutanothervowwemadeonce.Untilthen,I’mstickingbyyourside.Ifyou’regoingtoDukGrungandback,I’mcomingwithyou.”

CHAPTERELEVEN“Thisisn’tright,”mutteredThorgig.

Felix,Gotrek,Hamnirandtheotherslayflatinaditch,watchingasthevaguesilhouettesofanorcpatrol passedbynot twentypaces away in a thickpredawn fog.Thepartyhad leftRodenheimCastle not half an hour before, slipping quietly through the postern gatewithout lantern or torch,headingdownoutof the foothills towards thegreenplainsof theBadlands. Inaddition toHamnir,fourhadbeenaddedtothosewhohadsurvivedthejourneytoBird’sdoorandback—threebrothersfromKarakHirnwhohadminedDukGrungintheiryouth,andanotherdwarfoftheStonemongerclan,whowasaskilledmineengineer.

“WoeifanyotherSlayereverlearnsthatItwicehidfromorcs,”agreedLeatherbeard.“Andranfromthemaswell,”whisperedNarin,helpfully.“Quiet,curseyou!”saidHamnir.The orcs had beenwatching RodenheimCastle ever since Hamnir ’s army had returned to it.

Theypatrolledarounditendlessly,watchingeveryroadandgoatpath.Thiswasmoreproofoftheirstrangeness. They should have been pouring out of the captured dwarf hold in a frenzied, futileattempt to come to gripswith their ancestral enemies. The dwarfs could havewished for nothingmore.Iftheorcshadthrownthemselvesagainstthewallsofthecastle,theycouldhavegunnedthemdownattheirleisure,thinningtheirranksandmakingtheireventualraidonKarakHirnalltheeasier.Buttheorcscameinskulkingsquads,observing,notattacking,andstayingwellawayfromthewalls.Itwaseerie.

Atlast,asthedarkformsmovedoff,meltingonceagainintothemist,Hamnirstood.“Right,”hesaid.“Onwego,butkeepyoureyesandearsopen.Wecan’tbeseen.”

Thefogwastheirfriendinthis.Thepartywalkeddownthelastridgeandontotheroughplainwithout hearing or seeing another patrol. Hamnir turned them east and slightly south, and theymarchedindamp,chillysilence.

After another hour, the fog began to lift, revealing the sparse pines and rocky ground of thebarren,hillyland,andthenlater,thejaggedlineoftheBlackMountainsunderlow,iron-greyclouds.Theair remainedcoldandwetaround them, likeaclammyembrace.Felix shivered inhisold redcloak,andexpectedatanymomenttobedrenchedwithrain,butitnevercame.

Hamnirwalked at the front of the party, Thorgig at his side, eyesmoving alertly around thelandscape.

Gotrek stayed at the back, his brow as clouded as the sky. The Slayer and the prince seemeddisinclinedtospeak,eithertoeachother,ortoanyoneelse.

After a time, themining engineer, a wide-shouldered, sway-gutted veteran with a red face, areddernose,andabushygingerbeardshotwithgrey,droppedbacktoGotrek,stickinghischinoutsohisbeardbristled.“YouknowwhyIvolunteeredforthiscompany,Slayer?”heasked,loudly.

Gotrekdidn’tacknowledgehimonlystaredahead.“My name is Galin Olifsson,” said the engineer, slapping his chest with a meaty palm, “a

StonemongeroftheStonemongerclan,sameasDruricBrodigsson.Yourememberhim,Slayer?”Gotrekspat.AwiserdwarfthanGalinmighthavenoticedtheballingofhisfists.“Wordis,youlefthimbehindtodie,Slayer,”snarledGalin,“whileyouranlikeacowardfrom

mereorcs.”Felixbarely sawGotrekmove, but suddenlyGalinwas flat onhis backwithblood streaming

fromhisnoseintohismoustacheandmouth.Heblinkedupatthesky.Gotrekkeptwalking,butthe

restofthepartywasturning.“Curseyou,Gurnisson!”criedHamnir.“Willeverydwarfwhomarcheswithmehaveabroken

nosebeforeyou’rethrough?Wemustallbewholeandreadyifwearetosucceed.”“Heaskedforit,”saidGotrek,shrugging.“Iwasn’tready,youdamnedcheat,”saidGalin,sittingupwoozilyandpinchinghismisshapen

nose.“Youcall aSlayeracowardandaren’t ready tobehit?”askedLeatherbeard, laughing.“Then

you’reafool.”“Druricaskedtostaybehind,”saidNarin,offeringGalinhishand.“Andifyou’veafighttopick

withtheSlayeryou’llwaituntilthisbusinessisfinishedliketherestofus.”GalinbattedasideNarin’shand,sneering,andstoodbyhimself.“ThewordofanIronskinisto

betrusted?TheywhostoletheShieldofDruttifromus?YoulikelytoldtheSlayertoleavemycousinbehind.”

“NoonetellstheSlayeranything,”snortedNarin,thenheldoutthesliverofwoodtwistedinhisbeard,hiseyesbrightwithmischief.“AndIhavetheShieldofDruttihere,what’sleftoutofit,ifyoucaretocarryit.”

“Youmockme,Ironskin?”saidGalin,puffinguphischest.“You’renextaftertheSlayerifyouthink—”

“Olifsson!”barkedHamnir.“Ifyoujoinedusonlytofightus,youcanreturntothecastle.Nowstanddown!”

GalinglareddaggersatNarinandGotrek,butatlastturnedaway,straighteninghisarmouranddabbingathisstillbleedingnosewithavoluminouskerchief.“Icanwait,”hegrumbled.“Adwarfisnothingifnotpatient.”

The other three dwarfswho had joined the party grinned behindGalin’s back.Theywere theRassmussonbrothers,Karl,RagarandArn,wholookedsoalikethatFelixhadtroubletellingthemapart—atrioofbald,black-beardedminerswhoseskinhadbeenpermanentlybegrimedwiththedirtandoretheydug.Theseamsoftheirfacesandtheircrackedknucklesweregreywithit.

“Niceone,”saidone—Arn,perhaps,Felixthought.“Don’tseeapunchlikethateveryday”saidasecond,nodding—Karl,possibly.“I’llshowyouone,”snarledGalin,turningandraisinghisfist.Thethirdbrother,whobyprocessofelimination,FelixdecidedmustbeRagar,raisedhishands.

“Nodisrespect,cousin,”hesaid.“Wedon’tsayyoudeservedit.”“Youtookitwell,too,”saidtheonethatFelixhaddecidedwasArn.“Noweepingormoaning.”“Nocallingquits,”agreed theonewho thereforehad tobeKarl. “Onyour feetand ready for

anotherrightquick.”Galineyedthemsuspiciouslyforamoment,tryingtoseeiftheywerelaughingathim.“Allright

then,”hesaidfinally,andturnedbackaround.Thebrothersexchangedslyglances.“Reallywasquiteapunch,though,”saidRagar.“Aye,”saidArn.“Onceinalifetime,thatpunch.”“Ha!”saidKarl.“Punchlikethatcouldendalifetime.”Galin’s shoulders tensed, but he didn’t turn around. The brothers grinned as if they’dwon a

victory.Felixfoundhimselffallingbehindtheothersbecauseofhisankle.Thedwarfphysicianhaddonearemarkable job,and therewasno longermuchpain,but itwasstill stiff, andhis stridewasstilted.

Gotrek,apparentlyasmuchtokeepatadistancefromHamnirastokeepFelixcompany,hungbackwithhim.

“What isyourgrudgeagainstHamnir,anyway?”Felixaskedat last.“You twowereobviouslyfriendsatonetime.Whatcamebetweenyou?Agirl?Aninsult?Gold?”

Gotrek snorted. “Men can’t understand dwarf honour, since they have none of their own. Hebrokeanoath.That’sallyouhavetoknow.”

“What oath?” pressed Felix. “What could he have done that was so bad? He seems a decentenoughfellow,veryeventempered,veryreasonable.”

“Ha!”saidGotrek.“Youlikehimbecauseheactslikeaman,withaman’smannersandsmoothtalk,buthe’sgotaman’strickynaturetoo.Hedoesn’tsticktohisword.Toadwarf,anoath’sanoath,bigorsmall,butnottothatone.”Hescowledtowardsthefrontoftheline.“Apairofprettyeyesorabetterofferandhe’llturnhisbackonabrother.He’llsquirmandtwistandquotelawtogetoutofhisbond.”

“Ah,soitwasagirl,”saidFelix.“I’llsaynomore.”“Verywell,”saidFelix.Theywalked on in silence for a while, but Felix’s curiositywas aroused. “When did all this

happen?WereyoualreadyaSlayer?”Gotrekshothimasharpglance.“Youtryingtopryitoutofme,manling?”“No,no,”saidFelix.“Only,ifyoudiehere,I’llneedtoincludeHamnirandtheothersintheepic

ofyourdeath:‘ThebravepartytheSlayerled’,andallthat.I’llneedtoknowsomethingabouthowyoumetandwhatyoudid,togiveitsomebody,somebreadth,aye?”

Gotrekthoughtforamoment,andthennodded.“Isupposeyou’vearighttosomehistory.EveryepicIeverheardtoldinthefeasthallstartedinthecradle,andit’sbestyouhearitfrommeandnotthat silk-tongued oathbreaker.” He shot a sharp look up at Felix again. “Not that I’ll tell youeverything,mind.Justenough.”

“Enoughwillsuffice,I’msure,”saidFelix,tryingnottosoundtooeager.ItwasrareforGotrektoshareanythingofhispast.“Goon.”

Gotrekwalkedon, frowning,as ifgatheringhis thoughts.“ImetHamnirwhenhecame to theclan of my fathers,” he said at last. “This was long before I took the crest, when I was still ashortbeard.Therewaspeace in thehold then.Toocalmforme. Iwanteda fight.”He ranhishandabsentlythroughhisbeard.“Hamnirwasrestlesstoo.WanderedallthewayfromKarakHirntotheWorldsEdgebecauseofit.”Hesnorted.“Readtoomanybooks.Wantedtoseetheworld.Wantedtosee thewonders he’d read about.”Gotrek shrugged. “Therewas fighting inmost of the places hetalkedabout—theSeaofClaws,theEmpire,Bretonnia—soIsaidI’dgowithhim.”

“Itwasjustatravelarrangement?”askedFelix.“Youweren’tfriends?”“Me?Friendswiththattreacherous…”Gotrekpaused,andthensighed.“Eh.SupposeIwas.He

seemedagooddwarfthen.KeptmeoutoftroublewhenIwaslookingtogetinit,andgotmeoutofitif Iwasalready in.Talkedanelectorcountoutofhangingmeonce.Whateverarmywesignedonwith,hegotusagooddeal,andifourcommandertriedtocheatus,Hamniralwaysgotthemoneyanyway.”

GotreksmirkedandshotanotherglancetowardsHamnir,thengruntedandlookedaway.“Wasn’tmuchofamercenary though.Handyenough ina fight,andagood tacticianonpaper,buthe’dgetmuddledwhen thingswentwrong.”Gotrek snorted. “Didn’t have themercenary spirit either.We’dloot castles and all he tookwas books.He once punched a captain of ourswho smashed a statue.Didn’tmindkillingman,dwarforelf,butyoucouldn’tburnapaintingaroundhim.”

“Howlongdidyoutravelwithhim?”askedFelix.Gotrek shrugged. “Ten years? Twenty? Can’t remember. Might have been fifty. We fought

throughtheEmpire,Bretonnia,downthecoasthuntingpirates,theborderprinces,Estalia,Tilea…”Hetrailedoff.

“Tilea?”proddedFelix.Gotrek came back to himself and scowled at Felix. “No,manling, I said I’d tell you enough.

You’llgetnomore.”“Buthowcanyoutellataleandnotthefinish?”“Hebrokehisoath,”Gotreksnarled,“that’sthefinish.Nowleavemebe.”TheSlayerstrodeforwards,catchingupwiththelastofthedwarfs,leavingFelixtolimpalong

behindbyhimself.Felixcursedhimselfforafool.He’dalmosthadit.Ifhehadn’tpushedsohardattheend,Gotrek

mighthavetoldhimonhisown.Still,heknewnowaboutastretchofGotrek’slifethatevenhehadn’tknownexistedbefore.Thatwassomethingatleast.On the morning of the third day, the dwarfs turned north again, winding their way up throughnarrowing valleys and canyons into the foothills of the Black Mountains until the Badlandsdisappearedbehindascreenofpine-furredhills.

Astheypushedon,HamnirlettheRassmussonbrothersleadtheway,forintheiryouththeyhadworkedtheDukGrungandhadmadethetripmanytimes.Thethreedwarfstrampedconfidentlyupslopeschokedwithmountainlaurelandclingingnettles,alongswiftstreamsanddeertracks,anddirtroadslongovergrownwithweedsandwildflowers,commentingallthewhile.

“Isn’t this the placewhere oldEnrik dropped an ingot andmadeus search the bushes for sixhours?”askedArn,astheypassedafallentree.

“Aye,”saidRagar,“andhehaditinhispackthewholetime.”“Iremember,”saidKarl,laughing.“Founditwhenhebitintohispasty.Chippedhistooth.”“AlwaysthoughtDornhadsomethingtodowiththat,”saidArn,“butheneverownedup.”AlittlefurtheronKarlpointedtoagraniteledgeoverlookingasmall,fern-skirtedpool.“The

rockofthefullmoon!”hecried.Hisbrotherslaugheduproariously,butwouldn’texplainwhathemeant.Asthesunreacheditszenith,theysawaheadofthemthemouthofacanyonthatwaswalledoff

with thick stone battlements, in the centre of which stood an open gateway guarded by two squattowers.

“Thereweare,”saidArn,pointing.“DukGrung.”Looking at the oldwalls peeking through the trees, Felixwas struck again by just how long

dwarfslived.Forthoughthewallsweresturdydwarfworkandhadstoodthetestoftimewithbarelyanyweathering,theywerethicklyovergrownwithvines,mossandbushesandthegateshadlongagorustedaway.Theplacelookedlikesomeruinofantiquity,andyetArn,KarlandRagarhadworkedherewhenitwasagoingconcern.

“Grownup a bit, hasn’t it?” saidRagar. “Had a human gardener in our timewho did for thepruning.”

“Irememberhim,”saidArn.“Wolfenkarg,orsomething.Ludenholt?Somemannishgibberish.Couldn’tholdhisliquor.”

“Wonderwhat’sbecomeofhim,”saidKarl.“Well,hewasaman,”snortedArn,“sohe’slongdead,isn’the?”“Likemay-fliestheyare,”saidRagar.HeshotaguiltyglanceatFelix.“Nooffence,human.”

Felixshrugged.“Nonetaken.”Itwasonlythetruth.Approachingtherustedremainsofthegate,thedwarfssawawide,deeplyworntrackrunning

along the wall and through the gate. They stopped, growing quiet, their hands dropping to theirweapons.ThetwoSlayersstudiedthetrackintentlywhiletheothersshotwaryglancesintothetreesaroundthem.

“Atroll,”saidLeatherbeard,“andthetracksarefresh.”“Twotrolls,”Gotreksaid.“Atleasttwo.”“Oneforeachofus,”saidLeatherbeardjauntily,buthisvoicewastight.“Havetheymadetheirhomeinthemine?”askedHamnir.“Let’sfindout,”saidGotrek.The dwarfs unslung axes and crossbows and followed him through the open gate, on guard.

Felix drew his sword. Inside the wall, the canyon rose and narrowed, pinched between two steep,rockyhills.Thecrumbled remainsofoldoutbuildingspeekedout from thicketsofyoung treesoneithersideofthetrolltrack,whichwoundupthroughthecentre.

“Cartmulestables,”whisperedKarl,wavingtotheleft.“AndLungmolder ’sshack,”saidArn,motioningtotheright.“Troublewithwood.Doesn’tlast.”“WasitLungmolder?”askedRagar.“ThoughtitwasBergenhoffer,orBaldenhelder,or—”“Hush,curseyou,”saidGalin.Hiseyeswerebulging,andhisredfacewassweating.They crept up the troll track to the end of the canyon, a tight funnel between the converging

hillsides.Inthewesternslope,therewasablackopening,nearlyhiddenbyathickscreenofraspberrybushes. The dwarfs approached it cautiously.As they got closer, Felix saw that the openingwas arough hole, broken throughwhat appeared to be a large,walled-up door, its outlines only barelydiscernibleunderthedensecloakofvegetation.

“It’sbeenbreached,”saidKarl.“That’sbad,thatis,”saidRagar.Arnshrugged.“Krukedoutanyway.”“Mightnothavebeenirontheywereafter,”saidNarin.“MighthavebeentryingtoreachKarakHirn,”saidThorgig,grimly.Galin snorted. “If they tried, lad, it was a hundred years ago, and Karak Hirn survived.” He

pointedattheedgesofthebreach.“AnydwarfwiththeeyesGrungnigavehimcanseethatthatholewasbashedinlongago.Allthebreaksareweathered.”

“Callme‘lad’again,andI’llfeedyouthetongueGrungnigaveyou,”saidThorgig,glaringattheengineer.

“Untilyoucantuckyourbeardinyourbelt,I’llcallyouwhatIlike,”saidGalin.“I’lltuckyourbeardupyour—”“Enough!”hissedHamnir.“Bothofyou.”Leatherbeard pointed to the deep-worn troll track. Itwound through the raspberry bushes and

righttothehole.“Theholemaybeold,buttheplaceisoccupiedstill.”“Savesuslookingforthehiddenlatchatleast,”saidRagar.“Right,”saidHamnir,takingadeepbreath.“Lightyourlampsandinwego,Slayersfirst.”Thedwarfsunhookedsturdyhornlanternsfromtheirpacks,litthemfromtinderjars,andhung

them from their belts so theywouldhavebothhands free.Gotrek lit a torch,whichheheld like aweapon in his off hand.When all were ready, they pushed through the undergrowth to the hole.Thoughitwassmallcomparedwiththewalled-updoor,thebreakwasstilltwiceastallasFelix,andtwiceaswideasGotrek.Theypeeredin.Itwasutterlyblackinside.

Gotrek stepped forwards, holding his torch back and to the side, so as not to blind himself.Leather-beardfollowed,withtheothersedginginbehindhim.Acoldwindblewanastoundingstenchoutatthem—arichmixofoffal,rottingmeat,mildew,andanacridanimalmuskevenmorepungentthanthatoforcs.

Narinwrinkledhisnose.“Nothingsmellsworsethanatroll.”“Twotrolls?”suggestedArn,orpossiblyRagar.“Quiet!”whisperedHamnir.On the far sideof thedoor, theholeopenedout intoawidechamber.AsFelix’seyesbecame

accustomedtothedark,hecouldmakeoutmonumentaldoorwaysineachofthewalls,andloomingpillarsholdingupahighceiling.Belowthisgranddwarfarchitecture,rubbishlayinswathes:heapedpilesofbones,smashedfurnitureandmachinery,rottingcarcasses,burnttimber,aswellasdriftsofbrownleavesandtreebranches,blownordraggedinfromoutside.

Inonecorner,afirepithadbeenduginto thestonefloor,overwhichhungadented ironpot,bigger than a nobleman’s bath. Crude log stools and settles surrounded the fire, and two beds ofbrackenwerelaidnearby.Limpformshungfromspikesbashedintothewalls—twomen,anorc,acow,andawolf,allskinnedandhungtodrain.Thebonesandclothingofearlierfeastswerepiledwithin easy flinging distance from the fire pit. Skinswere laid out on the floor and held flatwithrocks.

“Seemslordandladytrollarenotathome,”saidNarin.“TrollsinoldDuk,”saidRagar,shakinghishead.“Adamnedshame.”“Aye,”saidKarl.“Toseetheoldplacemuckeduplikethis,itbreaksyourheart.”“Notthetidiesthousekeepers,arethey?”saidArn,sniffing.Hamnir looked around uneasily. “I’d almost rather have found them in their lair,” he said.

“Worsenotknowingwheretheyare.”“Anotherdoommissed,”saidGotrek,morose.“Whichwaytothedeeps?”askedHamnir,turningtotheRassmussonbrothers.Theylookedaround,strokingtheirbeards.ThenArnspokeup.“Barracksthatway”Hepointed

right.“Smeltersthatway”Hepointedstraightahead.“Workfacethatway.”Hepointedtotheleft.“Leftthen,”saidHamnir.GotrekandLeatherbeardledthewayacrossthechambertowardstheleft-handarch.Theirpath

took them past the pile of bones, boots and breeches near the cook pot, and as theywalked by it,thingsglintedfromitinthelamplight.

Galin stopped, followed byRagar, and thenHamnir. The others turned to seewhat theywerelookingat.

“Isthat…?”saidGalin.“Lookatthatnow,”saidRagar.“Itis,”saidHamnir.“Gold!”saidArn,andsteppedtothepileofbones,tossingasidearibcageandsquattingdown.

Theotherswererightbehindhim.EvenGotrekwaspushingforwards.Felix looked over their shoulders. The ground amidst the bones and torn clotheswas littered

withrings,neckchains,unsetgems,armbands,goldingotsandthecoinsofadozendifferentnations.Thedwarfs snatched themup inhandfuls.Narin snappeda finger froma skeletonhand toget at asilverring.Karlwaspryingagoldtoothfromagrinningskull.

“Stupidtrolls,”chuckledRagar,scoopinggreedily.“Throwingawayafortuneforstewmeat.”“They’reanimals,”saidNarin.“Thelowerordersdon’tunderstandtheecstasyofgold.”

“Dowehavetimeforthis?”askedFelix,lookinganxiouslybehindhim.“Thetrollscouldcomebackatanymoment.”

Thedwarfsignoredhim.ThorgigbattedatGalin’shand.“Thatwasmine,Olifsson,”hesnapped.“Itoucheditfirst.”“Andyoudroppedit,”saidGalin.“It’sminenow.”“Mindyourreach!”snarledLeatherbeardtoNarin.“Thisismybit.”“CanIhelpitifIhavelongerarmsthansome,”saidNarin,hiseyesglowing.“Andstickierfingers.”LeatherbeardshovedNarin,whofellbackonhishaunches.“Shoveme,willyou?”growledNarin,reachingforhisdagger.“Cousins!Cousins!”criedHamnir.“Stopthis!Stopthis!Whatarewedoing?”Felixbreathedasighof relief.Theprincewasgoing to talksomesense into theothers.Heat

leastrealisedthedangersoftheirposition.“This isnot thedwarfway,” saidHamnir, “scrabbling likemen for scrapsofbread.Wearea

military company on a military mission. This treasure is therefore spoils, and subject to strictdivision.Nowcome,takeitalloutofyourpocketsandpileitinthecentrehere.Wewillseewhatwehaveandmakeoursplitaccordingly.Tenequalshares.”

Gotrek’ssnortinterruptedhim.“Equalshares?That’srichbrothcomingfromyou,oathbreaker.”Heturnedtotheothers.“I’dwatchhimifIwereyou.He’sapttoputalittleextraasideforhimself.”

Thorgigsprangup,fistsbunched.“DoyoucallPrinceHamnirdishonest?Yougotoofaratlast,Slayer.”

“That’sourchiefyou’respeakingof,”saidRagarsteppingupbesideThorgig.“Haveacare,”saidArn.“Aredcrestdon’tscareus,”saidKarl.“Come,Slayer,”saidNarin.“Canyoutrulythinkthataprinceknownthroughouttheholdsasa

plaindealerwouldcheatonshares?”“This from a dwarf who destroyed the property of my clan and won’t make recompense,”

sneeredGalin.“Idon’tthink,”saidGotrek.“Iknow.He’sdoneitbefore.”“Gurnisson,”saidHamnir,browlowered.“Oh,he’llhaveareason,”saidGotrek,“someexcusewhythispieceorthatpieceshouldn’tbe

sharedoutwiththerest.He’sgoodwithwords.Itallsoundsreasonable,butwhateveritis,intheend,youdon’tgetallthat’scomingtoyouwithPrinceHamnirtheHonestaround.”

“You don’t get any understandingwithGotrekGurnisson around, either,” said Hamnir hotly.“The head and the heart don’t matter to him, only the purse. Sometimes I think he’s more of amerchantthanIam.Adwarfwhoknowsthepriceofeverythingandthevalueofnothing.”

“So,youadmitthesethingshespeaksof?”askedNarin,hiseyebrowsraising.“Not as he says them,” said Hamnir. “I cheated no one. In each case, I asked all parties if

somethingcouldbeheldout.Putittoavote.OnlyGotrekvotedno.Theothershadsomecompassion,somebeliefthatthespiritofjusticeismoreimportantthantheletterofthelaw.”

“Notineverycase,oathbreaker,”saidGotrek.“Inonecaseyoujusttookwhatyouwanted.”“Becauseyouwouldn’tlistentoreason!”shoutedHamnir.His voice echoed through the hall, seeming to come back to them louder than it had left his

mouth.Thedwarfslookedaroundwarilyastheechoesfadedtonothing.“Gotrek,PrinceHamnir,”saidFelix,intothesilence.“Perhapsyoushouldreturntothisdebate,

andthedivisionofthespoils,atalaterdate.Wearenotsafehere,andwestillhavealongwaytogo.”

“Isecondthat,”saidNarin.“Weshouldmoveon.”Afteramoment,Gotrekshrugged.“Fairenough.Mightbelessofustodivideamongstattheend

anyway.”Hamnirnodded.“Verywell,”hesaid,“andasmyhonestyhasbeenquestioned,Iwillnotholdit.

Norwillanyofmyhold.”The dwarfs looked around. Thorgig, Arn, Karl and Ragar, were all of Karak Hirn; that left

Galin,Narin,Leatherbeard,GotrekandFelix.Gotrekshookhishead.“I’mnotcarryingallthat.It’llgetintheway.”“Aye,”saidLeatherbeard.“Nothanks.”“NorI,”saidNarin.“Iknowmyweaknesses.I’llnotbeputinthewayoftemptation.”“Er,”saidGalin.“Iwouldbehonouredtoholdtheplunder.ThehonestyoftheStonemongerclan

isknownfromWorldsEdgeMountainsto—”“Andthedwarfwhoasksforthehonouristhedwarftokeepyoureyeon,”interruptedThorgig.

“You’renotholdingmyshare,Stonemonger.”“Youquestionmyhonesty!”saidGalin,standing.“Dwarfshavediedforless!”“Quiet!”snappedHamnir.HelookedatFelix.“Themanwillholdit.”“Theman?”Galingaped.“Butalldwarfsknowmenaregreedy,graspinglittle—”Gotrekgrowledmenacingly.Narinlaughed.Theysaythesameofus,butyou’llnotethathewastheonlyonewhodidn’tdive

intothepilewithbothhandsgrasping.Andanyonewho’sthrownintheirlotwithaSlayerfortwentyyearscan’tbeaccusedofbeingamanwhoputshisholdingsfirst.

“But,prince,”saidThorgig,“heistheSlayer ’scompanion.HewillfavourGurnissonovertherestofus.”

“Ifhedoes,I’llkillhim,”saidGotrek.Hamnir nodded. “Gurnisson may be a stiff, unbending berserker with the disposition of a

dyspepticcavebear,butheisashonourableasanancestor.Itisn’thonestyhe’swanting,butheart.HewillnotletHerrJaegercozenus.”

Arnshrugged.“Fairenough.”“Suitsme,”saidKarl.“Iftheprincesaysaye,whoarewetosaynay,”saidRagar.“Ifthat’sthewayofit,”saidGalinwithastiffshrug,“that’sthewayofit.”The dwarfs quickly emptied their pockets and pouches into Felix’s pack and made ready to

marchagain.Felixgroanedashestoodandshoulderedthepack.Thegreedylittlegrubbershadaddedastone’sweighttohisload—theywhocouldlifttwicetheirownweightwithease.

The party took the left-hand arch and started down a corridor linedwith long-unused dininghallsandcommonrooms,theoutlinesoftheirsturdyfurnituresoftenedbycenturiesofdust.Thishadnotbeenatruehold,onlyanoutpost,asatellitemine,meanttofeedthefurnacesandanvilsofKarakHirn.Still, itwasbuiltwithall theusualdwarfcareandquality.Therehadbeennocave-ins in theintervening centuries since the dwarfs had abandoned it. No water stains marred the walls. Theflagstonesthatlinedthefloorhadnotcracked.Thedecorativeborderslookedasiftheyhadbeencutonlyyesterday.

Afterafewhundredfeet,theycametotherustyrailsofaminecarttrack,whichconnectedthedeepsoftheminewiththesmeltingrooms.Therailsbranchedandturneddowncrossingcorridors,glintinginthedarkness.Hereandthere,theyhadbeenpulledup,thewoodentiesbeneaththemtoo,butmostwereundisturbed.Thedwarfsstucktothemaintrunk,whichsoonledthemtotheshaftofan

ancientdwarfsteamlift,meanttoraiseandlowercrowdsofdwarfs,carts,mulesandtonnesoforeatatime.

Galin,theonlyengineeramongthem,hadalookatthesteamenginethathadoncepoweredthething,builtintoaroombehindit.Hecameoutshakinghishead,hisbeardandeyebrowstrailingdustandcobwebs.“Notachance,”hesaid.“Halfthegearshaverustedintoplace,andsomeone’sbeenattheboilerwithapickaxe.Takeaweektomakeitgo.Maybemore.”

“Don’t know if the ropeswouldholdus anyway,” saidNarin, holdinghis lanternout into theshaft.Thehugehawsercableswerefrayedandblackwithmould.

Felix lookeddown theshaft.Hecouldn’t see thecarriage in thedarknessbelow,but the ropesweretight,soitwasdowntheresomewhere.

“Wasn’ttobeexpectedanyway,”saidHamnir.“We’lltaketheladder.”Anarrowledgeledouttoasquarenotchintheleftsideoftheshaft,cutjustdeepenoughfora

dwarftoclimbdownintothedepthsontheladderthatwasboltedtoitswallwithoutbeingknockedoffbythepassingoftheliftcarriage.Leatherbeardwentfirst.Theotherslinedupbehindhim.

“Are there any other ways to get down?” asked Felix, waiting his turn. “I’ve had my fill ofclimbingrecently.”

“Oh,aye,”saidKarl.“Youcanwalkdownthroughallthedeepsbyrampandstair.”Hegrabbedanironrungandstarteddownintodarkness.

“Alotofwalkingthough,”saidArn,followinghim.“Thisway’sfaster,”saidRagar.“Iwouldn’tmindthewalk,”saidFelix,sighing,buthesteppedontotheladderbehindRagarand

beganloweringhimselfdownrungbyrustyrung.Gotrekcame last, for thedwarfswereconcerned that the trollsmight returnhomeandfollow

themdown.Heexchangedhis torch forabelt-hung lamp,so thathecouldhavebothhands free toclimb.

ForallFelix’sgrumbling,he found thedescent easy.The ladderwasdwarfwork, and thoughovertwohundredyearsold,itwasstillstrongandfirmlyfixedtothewall.Atregularintervals,theypassed further deeps — wide, rough tunnels, laid with cart rails. Sometimes there would beabandonedminecartsatthelip.Inone,somethinglargerthanaratscrabbledawayinthedarkness.Inanother,picksandshovelswerescatteredabout.

“Thosearen’tdwarftools,”saidRagar.“No,”saidArn.“Wetookeverythingwithuswhenweclosedupshop.Dwarfsdon’twaste.”“Someoneelselookingforscraps,”saidKarl,snorting.“Foolhumans,mostlike.Shouldknow

better.Dwarfsdon’tleaveuntappedveins.”HelookeduptheladderatFelix.“Nooffence,human.”Felixsighed.“Nonetaken.”Halfwaybetweenthefifthandsixthleveldown,theyfoundtheelevatorcarriage,anopensteel

andwood cagehanging straight and true in the shaft as if it hadonly paused for amoment.Felixlookedatitlonginglyastheypassedit.Itwouldhavebeenluxurytostepontoitandridetherestofthewaydown,butcloserinspectionsuggestedthatmightbeaveryspeedytrip.Nearthesteelringsthattheropeswerefastenedto,thehawserswerefrayedandthin,asifratshadbeenchewingonthem.It lookedas if themerest feather landingupon thecarriagewouldbeenough to snap the ropeandsendthewholethingcrashingintothenetherdepths.

“Iamsuddenlygladtheenginewasn’tworking,”hesaidtonooneinparticular.AnotherleveldownandLeatherbeardheldupahand.“Somethingmovingbelow,”hesaid.

CHAPTERTWELVEFelixandthedwarfsstopped,listening.Atfirst,Felixheardnothing,butthenhecaughtit—afaintscratchingandskitteringechoinguptheshaft.Itwasgettinglouder.

“Whatisit?”askedThorgig.“Rats?”“Isn’ttrolls,”saidArn.“That’scertain.”“Whateveritmightbe,”saidHamnir,“it’scomingthisway.”Narinpulledatorchfromhispack,lititfromthelampathisbelt,anddroppeditdowntheshaft.

Thedwarfswatcheditsballofilluminationfallswiftlyawayfromthem.Felix’sheartlurchedas,twolevels down, the torch flashed past a churning mass of hairless, dog-sized monstrosities, brieflyglinting off their jagged fangs and bulging black eyes, and the razor clawswithwhich theywereclimbing theshaft’s rough-hewnwalls.Then the torchdroppedbelowthe things, returning themtodarkness.Therehadbeendozensofthem.

“Whatarethose?”chokedFelix.“Cavesquigs,”spatKarl.“Grobirats.”“Thoughtwe’dkilledthemalloff,”saidRagar.“Wedid,”saidArn,“twohundredyearsago.”“Difficultfightingthemhere,”saidThorgig,frowning.“They’lltearusoff.”Felixshuddered.AfterallhisyearswithGotrek,hedidn’tmindastand-upfight.Hewouldhave

faced down this pack of horrors undaunted on level ground, but hanging off a ladder over abottomlesspit,withonlyonearmfreetodefendhimself?No,thankyou.Hecouldalreadyfeeltheirteethandclawstearingintohim,rippinghimsavagelyfromtherungs.

“Waithere,”saidGotrek.Hestartedclimbingrapidlybackuptheladder.“Waithere?”askedFelix.“Where’sheoffto?”growledGalin.Felixshrugged.Hehadnoidea.Thesquigswereclosingswiftly,muchquickerthanthedwarfscouldhaveclimbedbackupthe

ladder. Felix could hear their hungrymewlings, andmake out themovement of their limbs in thedarkness.Mostwereintheshaft,butafewclimbedtheladder.TheyremindedFelixofcockroachesscurryingupastormdrain.

Thedwarfsdrew theirweapons andhung,one-handed, from the ladder, grimlyawaiting theirdoom.FelixgrippedhisswordandprayedtoSigmarthatwhateverGotrekwasupto,hewouldhurryupaboutit.Leatherbeardhadundonehisbelt,andwasslippingitthrougharungoftheladdertore-buckleitaroundhiswaistsohecouldhangfromitandhavebothhandsfree.

Scoresofglisteningeyesreflectedtheirlamplight,andthethings’formswerebecomingvisible—lumpy,misshapenblobsofhairlessflesh,allmouthandteeth,withspindly,talonedlegsstuckonasifasanafterthought.TheywerepossiblythemosthideousthingsFelixhadeverseen,andhehadseenhisshareofhorrors.

“Braceyourselves,”saidHamnir,unnecessarily.“Guesswe’lldieintheDukafterall,”saidRagar.“AlwaysthoughtIwould,”saidKarl.“SeeyouinGrimnir ’shalls,brothers,”saidArn.“Lookoutbelow!”roaredGotrekfromabovethem.Therewasalowtung,asifsomeonehadpluckedthestringofabassviol,andthensuddenlythe

shaftwasfilledwithadeafening,screaming,scrapingcacophony.Felixlookedup,andthenhuggedtheladderastightlyashecould.Thedwarfsdidthesame.With

arushofwindandascreechingofsteelonstone, the liftcarriageplummeteddowntowards them,thenpastthem,tiltinganddisintegratingasitwent,itstumblingstrutsandtimberscarvingdeepwhitegougesinthewallsoftheshaft.

Felixlookeddown,followingitspassage,andcaughtjustaglimpseofthesquigs,eyeswidewithfright,bullfrogmouthsagape,beforeitsmasheddownonthemanddroppedintodarkness,roaringasitwent.

After what seemed an interminable wait, they heard a thunderous, wall-shaking boom as thecarriageatlasthitbottom.

“Allclear?”cameGotrek’svoicefromabove.“Nearly,”calledLeatherbeard.Some squigs still scrabbled up the ladder, undaunted by the fate of their fellows, their teeth

gnashingforatasteofdwarfflesh.Heldinplacebyhisbelt,themaskedSlayerwaitedforthem,histwoaxesready.Theyleaptupathim,howlingwithhunger.Hechoppeddownfuriously,catchingonebetweentheeyes,severinganother ’sforeleg.Theytumbledaway,knockingothersoffastheyfell,butnot all. Leather-beard slashed into the next wave. Thorgig and Narin fired crossbows over hisshoulders.Theotherdwarfsgrunted,frustratedthatthenarrownessoftheladderwouldn’tallowthemtogetintothefight.Felixwascontenttowatch.

At last, just asGotrek reappeared above them, the fightwasover.The last of the squigs spunsquealing down into darkness, trailing a swash of black blood, and Leatherbeard hung, breathingheavily,fromhisbelt.

“Welldone,Leatherbeard,”saidHamnir.“Bravelyfought,”agreedNarin.“Aye,”saidGotrek.“Goodwork,squigslayer.”Leatherbeardgrowledashecleanedhisaxesandfreedhimselffromthe ladder.“Notallofus

havebeenfortunateenoughtomeetadaemon.I’llgetmychance.”“NotifyoutravelwithGurnisson,”saidHamnir.“Hemayinsistonastrictdivisionofspoils,but

hetakesallthegloryforhimself.”Helookedup.“Isn’tthatright,Jaeger.”Felixopenedhismouth, andclosed it again.Hewanted todenyHamnir ’swords,but couldn’t

quite.Gotrekwascertainlyalwaystheoneoutinfrontwhentherewastrouble,anditwasn’tFelixthatwascalledupontoretakeholdsorventureintounchartedlands.Ofcourse,thatwasbecauseGotrekcould do these things. He wasn’t taking any opportunities from Felix. Felix would have died insecondsupagainstthatdaemon.

“Leavethemanlingoutofthis!”saidGotrek.“Nowlet’sgeton!”Thedwarfssheathed theirweaponsandcontinueddown the ladder.Theypassedanotherseven

levelsbeforetheysawthewreckageoftheliftcarriageglintingbelowthematthebottomoftheshaft—ashatteredpileofsplinteredwoodandtwistedmetal,mixedinwithmashedsquigsandbleachedbonesthatprovedthehideousbeastswerenotthefirstlivingthingstofalldownthepit.

Thepartypicked theirwayover themessandsteppedoutof theshaft intoa lowmine tunnel,muchrougherhewnthanthoseinthehighestlevels,butstillneatlycutandwellbraced,ifabitshort.

“Isthisthedeeproad?”askedFelix,stooping.Hecouldnotstandupright.Thedwarfslaughed.“No,HerrJaeger,”saidHamnir.“Thisisstillthemines.Youwillknowthedeeproadwhenyou

seeit.”“Hethinksthisisthedeeproad,”chuckledKarl.

“Stilldownafewlevels,”saidArn.“Followus,”saidRagar.The dwarfs tramped along the dark tunnel, their lanterns making a travelling pool of light

aroundthem.Felixlimpedalongbehind,bentoverlikeanoldman.Hehopedthepassagewouldopenupbeforelong.Hewasalreadygettingacrickinhisneck.Iftheyhadtofightanythinginhere,he’dhavetodoitonhisknees.

Gotrekwalkedbesidehimforawhile,mutteringunderhisbreathandshootingsharpglancesatHamnir.Then,afterthepartyhaddescendedthreemorelevelsinsilence,hesteppedaheadandfellinwithLeatherbeard.

“Youdidwell there,Slayer,” he said. “You’ll find a gooddoom. I don’t doubt it.”He lookedforwardsandraisedhisvoice,loudenoughtocarrytothefrontoftheline.“Anditwon’tmatterwhoyoutravelwith,forgloryisn’tsomethingyoushare,it’ssomethingyouwin.”

Felixfrowned.Thissortofcamaraderiewasn’tGotrek’sway.Whatwasthematterwithhim?“Youshouldn’tworryaboutfightingunworthyfoesonthisjourney,”hesaid,louderstill.“Even

aSlayermayputasidehisdoomtohonourhisoaths,if,thatis,he’sanhonourabledwarf.”Nowitmadesense.GotrekmightbetalkingwithLeatherbeard,buthewasspeakingtoHamnir.

Felixwasstunned.Thislevelofindirectnesswasunheard-offortheSlayer.Gotrekwasnormallyasbluntandforthrightas,well,asapunchonthenose.Again,hewonderedwhatitwasaboutHamnirthatgotunderGotrek’sskin.

“Who is the onewithout honour?” saidHamnir, rising to the bait.He turned his head as theymarched. “You insultme.You strikeme, andyouknow I cannot strikeback for I needyou in thisenterprise.Isthathonourable?”

“Morehonourablethanadwarfcallingonananother ’soathwhenhedoesn’tkeephisown,”shotbackGotrek.

Thepartysteppedoutintoanenormousroom—thejunctionofmanyraillines,allcomingtoaplatforminthecentrewheretheminecartscouldbedumpedintolargeoretrains.Batteredoldcartssatwheretheyhadbeenleftontherustytracks,andneatstacksofrailsandwoodentieshuggedthenearwall.Theceilingsoaredabovethereachofthedwarfs’lamps.

“Onlyyou say I amanoathbreaker,” shoutedHamnir. “Onlyyou say I amdishonourable.Allothersknowmeasadwarfofmyword.”Hiswordsrangbackfromthedarkreachesoftheroom.

“That’sbecauseonlyIknowyouasyoutrulyare,”growledGotrek.“OnlyIknowyourtricks.YouwearathickermaskthanLeatherbeard.”

“It wasn’t a trick,” said Hamnir, stopping and facing Gotrek. The party halted around them,lookingwarilyintothedarkness.“Itwasadisagreement.Yousaiditshouldbeincludedinthespoils.Isaiditshouldn’t.Itwasworthlessanyway.”

“Ha!”Gotrekturnedtotheothers.“Yousee.Healwayshasanexcuse.Worthless,hesays.”“Theothersagreedwithme,”saidHamnir.“Onlybecauseyourtongueistricksierthananelfambassador ’s!”Gotreksnorted.“Hah!Maybe

that’sit.Maybeyourmotherhadanightwithsomeelflordcometoparlay.”Therewasanintakeofbreathfromthedwarfs,andHamnirfroze,staringattheSlayer.Finally,

hebroke,droppedhisaxe,andbeganstrugglingtoshuckhispack.“Right,”hesaid.“That’sit.We’llhavethisouthereandnow,asitseemsthat’swhatyouwant.I

willwaiveyourobligationtohelpmetakeKarakHirnandwewillfightdwarftodwarf.”“Idon’twanttofightyou,”sneeredGotrek.“Iwantyoutopaymewhatyouoweme.Iwantyou

togivememyshareofwhatyouheldoutfromthesplit.”“Ioweyounothingbutathrashing,”saidHamnir.“Perhapsthatwillfinallypenetrateyourthick

skull.”Hethrewdownhispackandputuphisfists.“Nowfight.”“You’renotworthfighting,”saidGotrek.“Justpaymeandyoucanendthisgrudgepainlessly,

asyoucouldhaveahundredyearsagoinTilea.”“Coward,”spatHamnir.“It’sasIhavelongsuspected.Youwon’tfightwithoutyouraxeinyour

hands.Withoutityouarenothing.”“Whatdoyousay?”saidGotrek,bristling.“Isaythatitisyouraxethatdeservesyourfame,”saidHamnircontemptuously,“thatanydwarf

who picked up such an axewould have become great.Without it you are just another dwarf, andperhapslessthanmost.”

“Youthinkso?”bellowedGotrek,throwingasidehisaxeandhispack.Heraisedhisham-sizedfists.“Comeahead,elfspawn.I’llintroduceyoutothefloor.”

HamnirstartedfortheSlayer,butNarinandGalinsteppedinhisway.“PrinceHamnir,”saidGalin.“Thisisn’tthetimeforthis.”“Aye,”agreedNarin.“Youmustbewholeandhaletoleadus.Notbattered—”Hamnirpulledhimselfup,indignant.“WhosaysIwillbebattered?”GalinandNarincastsidelongglancesatGotrek,eyeinghismassivephysiqueandcomparingit

sceptically to Hamnir ’s soft, merchant’s body. Felix had to agree with their unspoken assessment.Hamnirdidn’tstandachance.GotrekwaswiderandmoreheavilymuscledthananydwarfFelixhadeverseen,anduncannily resilient, recovering fromwoundsandblows thatwouldhavecrippledorkilledanotherdwarf.Notfivedaysago,hehadbeenshotandfallenthegodsknewhowmanyfeet,andallhehadtoshowforitwasabandageonhisshoulderthatseemedtotroublehimnotatall.

Narincoughed.“Thisisallverybrave,PrinceHamnir,butthere’snoneedtoprove—”“Idonotfighttoprovemybravery,”saidHamnir,interrupting,“buttodefendmyhonourand

thatofmylatemother.”Hestartedforwards.“But,prince,”saidGalin,steppingbeforehimagain,“youcan’twin.It’sobvious.He—”“ThenIwilldie.AtleastIwilldieintheright.”HepushedpastthemandpunchedGotrekashard

ashecouldintheribs.Gotrek didn’t even grunt.He buried a fist inHamnir ’s belly and the prince collapsed like an

emptysack,droppingtohiskneesandretching.Gotrekglareddownathim.“There.Hadyourfill?”Hamnirshookhishead,dazed,andtriedtopushhimselfbacktohisfeet.Helosthisbalanceand

fell again.Therewas aharsh chuckle from thedarkness. It sounded like someonegrindinggravelbetweenmillstones.

Thedwarfslookedup,grabbingfortheirweapons.Felixlookedtowardstheedgesoftheroom.Twomassivetrollsstoodinthedoorwaythatthedwarfshadonlyrecentlycomethrough,watchingthefightwithmoronicgrinsontheirugly,mottledfaces.

CHAPTERTHIRTEENThetrollonthe left roaredsomethingunintelligibleandsmackedhisfists together,as if indicatingthatGotrekandHamnirshouldcontinue.Theoneontheright,ashe-troll,evenuglierthanhermate,clappedherhandsandhooted.

“Ourhostshavecomehome,”saidNarin.“Isn’ttheirhome,”growledArn.“Aworthydoomatlast,”saidLeatherbeard,drawinghistwoaxes.Hamnir lifted his head,mumbling, but couldn’t get up. Thorgig stood over him protectively,

glaringsavagelyatGotrek.Helookedlikeaheroinapainting.Gotrek crossed to his axe and snatched it up. The runes upon it were glowing. No one had

noticed.“Startafire,manling,”hesaid,andstalkedforwards,histhumbstrokingtheaxe’skeenedge.Itdrewblood.

Thetrollsbawled,disappointed,andmotionedagainforGotrekandHamnirtokeepfighting.“Afire,”saidGalin,backingfromthetrollsuneasily.“Goodidea.Themanwillneedhelp.”Theothersshotslylooksathimastheyspreadoutandreadiedtheirweaponsandshields.“Kneesshakingabit,engineer?”sneeredNarin.“It takes more than axes to kill a troll,” Galin said defensively. “You should thank me for

allowingyoutheglory.”Hestartedacrossthehugeroom.“Comeon,man.Thesetiesshoulddo.”AsFelixfollowedhimtothestackedwoodenrailties,memoriesofthecatacombsunderKarak

EightPeaksfloodedhismind—thehideousmutatedtrollthatguardedthetreasurevault,itswoundsclosingupalmostassoonasGotrekhadopenedthemwithhisaxe,Felix’sdesperateattemptstolightthethingonfire.HewasgladthatNarinandtheothersseemedtoknowwhattheywereabout.Theywereunhookingtheirlanternsfromtheirbeltsandholdingthemintheirshieldhands,readytothrow.

Thetrollsroaredattheapproachingdwarfsandbangedclubsthesizeoftreetrunksonthefloor.Eventwentystridesaway,theimpactsstungFelix’sfeet.

“Easynow,”FelixheardNarinsay.“Noonegettoofarahead.”“Forgloryanddeath!”bellowedLeatherbeard,andsprintedatthemaletroll,swinginghistwo

axeswildly.“Youmadidiot!”shoutedNarin.Heandtheotherschargedafterhim,Gotrekatthefore.ThetrollroaredandswungatLeatherbeard’shead.ThemaskedSlayerdivedrightandrolledup

infrontof theshe-troll,guttingherwithaswiftupswing.Shescreechedandsmasheddownathimwithherclubasherintestinesspilledfromthebloodygash.Leather-bearddodgedtheblow,butwasjarredoffhisfeetastheclubshatteredtheflagstonesnexttohim.Theshe-trollfellback,stuffingtheropesofherviscerabackintothecut.Itwasalreadyhealing.

Therestofthedwarfsclosedin,swingingaxesandhammers,andthenleaptbackagainalmostinstantlyasabackhandfromthemalenearlydecapitatedthemall.

“Forcethemthisway!”calledGalin,kneelingdownnexttotherailtiesanddigginginhispack.Hepulledoutahandfulofshinyblackcoallumpsandplacedthemaroundthestackedwood.

Felix looked back at the fight. The dwarfs were dodging back as the troll spewed corrosivevomitatthem.Smokingholesappearedinthefloorwhereithadspattered.Arnthrewawayhisshieldasitbegantodisintegrate.Thetroll’smatewasbashingatLeather-beardagain, therip inherbellynow littlemore thana thin slit. If therewasgoing tobeany forcingdone, it looked like the trolls

wouldbetheonesdoingit.Itwouldbealoteasierofiftheycouldtakethefireto…Felixstopped.Thecartrails.Thedwarfsandthetrollswerefightingrightontopofthem,and

theyranpastthepileofties.Felixhurriedtoanearbycartandstartedpushingat it.“Olifsson, inherePut theties inhere!”

Therustywheelscomplainedbitterly,butatlastbegantomove.Galinlookedup,sawthecart,followedtherailstothefightwithhiseyes,andgrinned.“Good

thinking.Youmust have picked up some dwarf common sense travellingwithGurnisson all theseyears.”

Felixnearlychoked.Gotrekhadmanyvirtues,buthewouldn’thavesaidthatcommonsensewasoneof them.He stopped thecart at the stack, andheandGalinbeganhefting theheavy ties into itwhilekeepinganeyeonthefight.

Theshe-trollwastakinganotherswingatLeather-beard.Heduckedandlashedoutwithawildbackhand,cuttingherhandoffatthewrist.HandandclubspunawayandknockedRagarandKarl’slegsoutfromunderthem.

Narinhurledhislitlantern.Thehe-trollbatteditasidewithhisclub,butArnthrewhisasecondlateranditsmashedonthebrute’sshoulder,dousingit.

“That’sdoneit!”criedKarl,gettingup.Theflamedidn’tcatch.Ragargroaned.“Noithasn’t.”Gotrekchargedinunderthething’sclubandchoppedintoitsleftlegatthehip,nearlysevering

it.Ithowledinagonyandswungathim.TheSlayerblocked,andaxeandclubconnectedwithacrackthathurtFelix’sears.Gotrektriedtopullbackforanotherswingbutcouldn’t.Hisbladewasstuckinthewoodoftheclub.

The troll swung the clubupwithbothhands and liftedGotrekwith it, his hands still clampedtightaroundhis trappedaxe.TheSlayer losthisgripashe flewover the troll’sshoulderandspunthroughtheairtocrashtothefloorneck-first,tenyardsbehindit,leavinghisaxebehindintheclub.

Theotherdwarfslungedin,smashingandchoppingintothetrollinhalfadozenplaces,andthendartingbackasitscreamedandfannedthembackwiththeaxe-stuckclub.ThehaftoftheaxechimedoffArn’spickandknockedhimflat.

Leatherbeardcontinuedtoslashattheshe-troll,tryingtocutoffherotherhand.Shevomitedathim,buthedancedbackandthedeadlybilemisseditsmark.

Gotrekstaggeredup,blinkingandshakinghisheadlikeabull,andaimedhimselfunsteadilyatthehe-troll’sback.“Givememyaxe,”hegrowled.

“That’senough,HerrJaeger,”saidNarin,astheyheavedalasttieintothecart.Helitthelumpsofshinycoalfromthewickofhislanternandtossedthemin,andthensmashedthelanterndownonthewood.Oilsplashedeverywhereandtheflamesspreadrapidly.

Felixmadetopushthecart,butGalinstoppedhim.“Waitforittocatchproperly.”“Wait?”Felixlookedanxiouslybackatthefight.Couldtheyaffordtowait?Gotrekshoulder-tackledthetrollbehindthekneesastheothersdancedanddodgedbeforeit.It

slammeddownonitsback,roaringinsurprise,andflaileditsclubatGotrek,whohadendeduphalfunderit.Hejerkedasideandthetrollmasheditsownfoot.Itscreechedinagony.Gotrekscrabbledontopofitandrippedthecluboutofitshandwithsheerbruteforce.

Theshe-trollclubbedLeatherbeardtothegroundwithherstumpandleaptontopofhim,tryingtobitehisheadoff.Atleastherhandhadn’tgrownback,Felixthought,thoughtherewasalreadynewfleshandboneformingatthecut.Shedidn’trenewherselfasquicklyasthemutatedtrollhad,Sigmar

bepraised.Thehe-trollwasup andgrabbing forGotrek.TheSlayerdodgedback, trying to freehis axe

fromtheclub.Thebrutecameafterhim,butwithout itsclub, itcouldnolongerkeepthedwarfsatbay.Theyslashedandbashedatitfromallsides,cuttinggapingwoundsinitslegs,sidesandback,andbreakingitsbonesfasterthantheycouldmend.Itwasgivingground.

“Now,man!Now!”criedGalin,pushingatthecart.FelixandGalinpushed the flamingcart along the rails towards the fight.The fire and smoke

blewdirectlyinFelix’sfaceandhecoughedandcursed.Thetrollheardtherumbleandturned.Itseyeswidenedatthesightoftheflamesanditjumped

aside.Theyweregoingtomissit!Gotrekfreedhisaxeatlastandleaptatthetroll,roaring.“Die,Grimnircurseyou!”Hechoppedthroughbothofitskneeswithonemightyblow.Itshriekedhorribly,andtoppledoff

itsseveredlowerlegstocrashintotheblaze,knockingtheminecartofftherailsandscatteringtheflamingrailties.

Gotrekhackeditsheadoffasittriedtocrawlfromtheflames,thentosseditslegsontopofit.Hegruntedwithsatisfaction.“Trollsneversmellbetterthanwhenthey’reburning.”

TheothersstartedforLeatherbeard,stillthrashingundertheshe-troll.Hisrightarmwascaughtinherremainingclaw,theotherhelddownwiththebonyelbowofherhandlessarmwhileshetriedtobitehisheadoff.Hehadlostoneofhisaxes.

Heglaredatthedwarfsthroughthetangleofherarmsandherempty,swingingbreasts.“Leavemebe!”heshouted.

Thedwarfsreluctantlydidasheasked,watchinganxiouslyashestruggled.Hehadonelegfreeandwaskickingherashardashecouldinthestomach.Hisneck,belowhismask,wascrimsonandcordedwithstrain.Veinswrithedacrosshistremblingmuscles.

Gotrekedgedforwards.“You’renotgoingtointerfere?”askedFelix.Gotrekglaredathim.“Ofcoursenot,butifshewins…”Heheftedhisaxe.Theshe-troll’sneckbulgedandshemadeahorrid“mumphing”sound.Shewasgoingtovomit!

Leather-beardwould be reduced to a bubbling paste!With a desperatewrench, themasked Slayerrippedhisrightarmoutfromunderherelbowandswunghisremainingaxeatherhead.Shejerkedawayandtookitintheshoulder,spewinghervilepukeontheflagsbesidehim.Afewspattersburnedintohismaskandneck.

Heswungagain.Theshe-trollletgoofhisoffhandtograbtheaxe.Hethumbedherintheeye.Shereeledtoherknees,howlingandclutchingatherface.Hesurgedupandleaptather,buryinghisaxeinherskullandknockingherbackintotheflameswithhisweight.Shescreechedandlashedhimwithherclaw.Therewasarippingsoundasheflewbackandcrashedtotheflooronhisface.

Theshe-trolltriedtoclamberoutofthefire,butthesplitinherheadwasnothealing,andherlimbsonlytwitchedweaklybeforeshesankbackdead,blackeningintheblaze.

“Welldone,Slayer,”saidNarin,turningtoLeather-beard.Gotreknoddedinagreement.Leatherbeard pushed himself up, groggy and groaning. Felix and the dwarfs stared at him,

shocked.Heblinkedbackatthem.“What?”Nooneanswered.

Hereachedupandtouchedhisface.Itwasnaked.“Mymask!”hecried,andlookedbackatthedeadshe-trollburninginthefire.Theleatherfacehungfromherclaws,itsstrapssnapped,itsedgessmouldering.

“No!”Leatherbeardleaptupandgrabbeditoutoftheflames.Hehurriedtoputitbackon,butitwastoolate.Theyhadallseen.

TheSlayerhadnobeard.HischinwascleanerthanFelix’s.Infact,hewasentirelywithouthair—hisscalpwasbald,andhewaslackingbotheyebrowsandeyelashes.Helookedlikeapink,angrybaby.

“Nowyouknow,”hechokedashetriedvainlytobucklethebrokenstraps.“Nowyouknowmyshame.NowyouknowwhyItooktheSlayer ’soath.”

“Aye,wesee,lad,”saidNarin,kindly.“But,”Galinsputtered,aghast,“what’swrongwithyou?Areyoutrulyadwarf?Wereyouborn

thisway?”“Grimnir forbid!” Themaskwouldn’t stay on. Leatherbeard snatched it off again, frustrated.

Painandrageburnedinhiseyes.“LastyearIfoughttheskavenintheundgrinwithmyclanbrothers.Theyhadstrangeweapons.OneexplodedinmyfacewhenIstruckit.ThenextmorningIwokeuplikethis.Iranfrommyholdbeforeanycouldsee.ThepriestsattheSlayer ’shallhelpedmefashionthismask,andnow…nowit’sruined.HowcanIbeaSlayerwithoutacrest?HowcanIcontinuewhenallcanseemyshame?”

“Ihaveneedleandthreadinmymedickit,”saidHamnirfrombehindthem.“Youarewelcometothem.”

Everyone turned. The prince was sitting up unsteadily, rubbing his stomach gingerly. Hemotionedvaguelytowardshispack.

“Thankyou,PrinceHamnir,”saidLeatherbeard,andsteppedtothepack,turninghisbackasheopeneditanddugthroughit.Theothersbegantotendtotheirwounds.

ThorgighelpedHamnirtohisfeet.Theprincecouldbarelystand.HeglaredatGotrek.“Justletmegathermystrength,Gurnisson,andwewillgoagain.”

“Youwantsomemore?”Gotrekshrugged.“No,prince,”saidNarin,lookingupfrompatchingagashonhisarm.“Enoughisenough.This

cannotcontinue.”“Aye,”chorusedthebrothersRassmusson.“Please,myprince,”saidThorgig,“atleastwaituntilafterwewinthekarak.”“Youwillstopadwarffromfightingforhishonour?”askedHamnir,affronted.“Never,prince,”saidNarin,“butIwillsuggestthatyoustop.Thisismadness.”“WhenGurnissonadmitsthathewaswrong,”saidHamnir,“Iwillstop.”“WhenRanulffssonpaysmewhathestolefromme,I’llcallitquits,”saidGotrek.“Ifit’samatterofgold,”saidFelix,“I’llpayGotrekwhathethinkshe’sowed.Onlylet’smove

on.”“Don’tbeafool,manling,”snarledGotrek.“Itmeansnothingforyoutopayme.It’shimorno

one.”“Butwhat is itallabout?”criedFelix, losingpatience.“What’ssodifficultaboutadivisionof

spoils?Idon’tunderstand.”“Ofcourseyoudon’t,”saidGotrek.“You’renotadwarf.”“Thedifficulty,”saidHamnir,“isinthedefinitionofspoils.”“Thedifficulty,”Gotrekinterrupted,“isthatyouandImadeabloodoaththatwewouldsplitall

spoilsevenly!Allspoils!Therewouldbenothingheldbackorhiddenoneitherside.Wemade theoathonthefirstdaywesetout,andyoubrokeit.”

Hamnir sighed and sat wearily on the wheel of an old mine cart. “Here is what happened.Gurnissonand I hadhiredonwith the armyof aTileannoblemanwhowas in awarwith anotherTileannobleman.Theusualpettyhumansquabbling.”

Felixsnortedatthis,butHamnirdidn’tseetheirony.Hecontinued.“We fought across the disputed country retaking villages that our employer ’s rival had

plunderedandoccupied.Inoneofthem,therewasadwarftavernkeep,withacomelydaughter,whoshowedmeherappreciationforourliberationofthetownby…”Hamnircoloured.“Well,shewasaverysweetlass,andwedevelopedafondnessforeachotherintheweekIwasthere,andshegavemeagoodbyegift,” heglared atGotrek. “A lovegift— a small book of old dwarf love poems.”HelookedatFelix.“Whenwecametodividethespoilsofthebattle,Gurnissonwantedtoincludeitinthetally.Ididnot.Itwasnottakeninwar,itwasgiveninlove,andthereforenotplunder.”

“Itwastakeninwar,”growledGotrek.“Shegaveittoyouforwinningthebattleandfreeingthetown.Igotagoldcoinandanewhelmetfromtheblacksmith,becauseIstoppedIntero’smenfromburningdownhisforge.Iputthatin.Thereisnodifference.”

“There is, unless youkissed that blacksmith on the lips and spent the night in his arms,” saidHamnirdryly.

Narinchuckledatthat.“Wasitvaluable,thisbook?”askedFelix,flatly.Hamnirshrugged.“Itwasacopyofacopy,worthafewEmpirepfennigsatmost.”Helooked

towardshispack.“Ifnotforthesentimentalvalue,Iwouldhavethrownitoutlongago.”“A few pfennigs?” Felix’s voice rose of its own volition. “A few pfennigs! You two lunatics

haven’t spoken to each other for a hundred years because of a few pfennigs?” He smacked hisforeheadandturnedtoHamnir.“Whydidn’tyoujustpayGotrekhalfthecostofthebookandhavedone?”He swung his head toGotrek. “Andwhy didn’t you tellHamnir that a few pfennigs don’tmatterbetweenfriends,andforgetaboutit?”

“It’stheprincipleofthething,”bothdwarfssaidinunison.“Heputsmilk-sopsentimentbeforelaw,”saidGotrek.“Heputslawbeforecommondecency,”saidHamnir.“Youbothput stubbornnessbefore common sense,” saidFelix.He turned to theotherdwarfs.

“Dononeofyoufindthistobemadness?”Thedwarfsshrugged.“Haven’tspokentomycousinRiggifornighonfiftyyears,becausehedidn’taskmeifIwanted

adrinkwhenitwashisturntobuy,”saidKarl.“Myclanceasedalltradewithanotherclanoverahandkerchief,”saidLeatherbeard.Felixgroaned.He’dforgottenwhohewastalkingto,buthehadtodosomething.Theywouldbe

atthisstupidityuntiltheendoftheworldifhedidn’t.“CanIseeit?”heaskedHamnir.“Iwouldliketogazeuponthebookthatkepttwofriendsapartforahundredyears.Itmustbewondroustobehold.”

Hamniropenedhispack,dugthroughit,andpulledoutasmallvolumefromtheverybottom.“Itisn’tmuchtolookat,”hesaid,handingitcarefullytoFelix.“Keepsakesrarelyare.”

Felixlookedatthelittlebook.Itwasleather-boundparchment,sowornaroundtheedgesbyitshundredyearsinthebottomofHamnir ’spackthatitwasnearlyoval.Heflippeditopentothecentre.ThewordswereinpoorlyformedKhazalidrunes.“Whatwashername?”heasked.“Thebarkeep’sdaughterwhogaveyouthis?”

“Er…”saidHamnir.“I…Morga?No…Margi?Drus?Itwillcometome…”

Felixsnortedandrippedthebookintwo.HeheldoutthehalvestoHamnirandGotrek.“There,”hesaid,“nowitisdividedequally.Yourgrudgesareatanend.”

Thedwarfsgasped.EvenGotrekgaped.Hamnirstartedtohisfeet.“Whathaveyoudone,human?”Hegrabbedforhisaxe.Thorgigwasbesidehim,eyesblazing.“Damned interfering fool!” shouted Gotrek, advancing on him. “You’ve just given him an

excusenottopaymeatall!”Felix backed away, gulping and terrified. He hadn’t considered what he would do after he

destroyedthebook.Theyweregoingtokillhim.Then Narin started laughing, great roaring belly laughs. After a second, Galin joined him.

GotrekandHamnirturnedonthem,glaring.“Youfindthishumorous?”snappedHamnir.“WillyoustilllaughwhenIknockyourteethdownyourthroat?”askedGotrek,raisinghisfists.Galinpointedfromonehalfof thebooktotheother, tryingtospeak,buthewaslaughingtoo

hard.Tearsrolleddownhischeeksandintohisbeard.“TheShieldofDrutti!”Naringaspedbetweenspasms.Heheldupthecharredwoodinhisbeard

andshookitatthem.“ThehumanhassmashedyourShieldofDrutti!”HeandGalinbrokeintofreshgalesoflaughter.“Notsofunnywhenithappenstoyouisit,Slayer?”criedGalin.HamnirandGotreksnatchedthehalvesofthebookfromFelix’shandsandturnedoneachother,

eyesblazingwith rage.They shook thepagesat eachother, stutteringand fighting forwords.Theancientpapercrackedandsplit.Bitsofage-yellowedconfettiflutteredtothegroundlikedirtysnow.

Gotrekwatchedthefallingflakes,andthenglaredatHamnir.“Whenwasthelasttimeyoureadthisbook?”

Hamnir looked at the pages crumbling in his hand. “I…” He snorted. “I…” He exploded inlaughter,hiswholebodyshaking.

“What,curseyou?”Gotrekshouted,furious.“What’ssofunny?”“Ineverreadit,”yelpedHamnir,hiseyesrunning.“Itwasawful!”Gotrekstood,frozen,foralongmoment,staringatHamnirasifhewasgoingtocuthishead

off.Then,withasoundlikeasteamengineexploding,hetoobeganlaughing,violentraspinggusts.Narin and Galin burst into fresh laughter, but Thorgig and the brothers Rassmusson stared,

unnervedandconfused.Felixwasjusthappythattheyseemedtohaveforgottenaboutkillinghim.“You stubborn, little—”Gotrekwheezed, pointing atHamnir. “Never read it.Can’t remember

hername.Keptitallthistimejustfor…”“Fortheprincipleofthething!”wailedHamnir,hysterical.TheSlayerandtheprincecollapseduponeachother,headsoneachother ’sshoulders,shaking

withlaughterandslappingeachother ’sbacks.“Maybe…”chokedGotrek,“maybeyouareadwarfafterall.”“Andmaybethere’s…moretoyouthananaxe,”hiccuppedHamnir.Their laughtercontinued fora long timewhile theothers stoodaroundawkwardly,but at last

subsided.Hamnirsteppedback,wipinghiseyes.“Ithasbeenaquiethundredyearsnothavingyoutoargue

with,Gurnisson.”“Aye,”saidGotrek,rufflinghiscrestandsnortingnoisily.“Andit’sbeenareliefnothavingyou

yammeringonabouteverythingunderthesunnightandday.Iforgottherewassuchathingassilence

whenItravelledwithyou.”Heshrugged.“Eventhebestthingshavetoend.”Theybegantocollecttheirpacksandpullthemselvestogether.Thorgig frowned. “So… so your grudges are cancelled?” he asked. “You are no longer

enemies.”Hedidn’tseemtolikethisideaatall.“Aye,” saidHamnir. “Thehuman ended it, andvery neatly too.”He swung around to glare at

Felix.“Thoughyouowemeabookofverybadpoetry,man.OrIwillhaveanewgrudge.”“Andyouowemesomeverygoodpoetry,”growledGotrek.“Forthismischief,theepicofmy

deathhadbetterbethegreatestpoemeverwritten.”Felix bowed, hiding a smile. That had gone better than expected. He had thought theywould

continuetohateeachother,buttheyhadputasidetheirgrudgeinfavourofhatinghimmore.“Iwilldomybesttoobligebothofyou.”

Hamnirnodded,andturnedtothebrothersRassmusson.“Come,”hesaid,“we’vewastedenoughtimehere.LeadustotheUndgrin,miners.”

“Aye,prince,”saidRagar.“It’sjustoverthere,”saidKarl,pointingacrosstheroom.“Nearlythere,”saidArn.The dwarfs finished binding their wounds and shouldered their packs, picks and axes, as the

trollscontinuedtoturntoblackbonesintheroaringfire.Leatherbeardpulledonhisrepairedmask.Itwascrudelysewn,anddidn’tfitassnuglyasbefore,butitcoveredhisshame,andheseemedcontent.When allwere ready, they followed theRassmussons across the vast room, in amore comradelymoodthanbefore.EvenGalinandNarinseemedtohaveforgottentheirgrudgesagainstGotrekandeachother ’sclans,andtalkedofthisandthat.OnlyThorgigremainedsullen,glaringatGotrek’sbackwithundisguisedcontempt.

CHAPTERFOURTEENTheycametotheundgrinatthebaseofalongdescendingramp,downthecentreofwhichtwolarge-gaugesetsofcartrailswerelaid.Thesystemofwinchesandpulleysthathadliftedandloweredthecartsupanddowntheslopestillstood,dustyandrusted,butthecartsthemselvesweregone.

Whentheysteppedthroughthewidecurvedarchatthebottomoftheramp,Felixstared,gape-mouthed.The scaleof the thingwas staggering—agargantuan tunnel at least forty feetwideandsixty high, its granite walls so polished that the dwarfs’ lamps reflected in them as if they weremirrors.Adouble roadof rails randownthemiddleof the tunnel,glinting likeswordbladesuntiltheydisappearedinthedarkness.Oneithersideofthesewereraisedwalkwaysdownwhichtendwarfscouldhavewalkedsidebyside.Thefloorwascoveredinathicklayerofundisturbeddust.

Noonehadtravelledtheundergroundroadindecades.TheRassmussonbrothersgrinnedatFelix.“Toldyouyou’dknowitwhenyousawit,”saidRagar.“Notbad,eh?”saidArn.Theideathatatunnelthislargehadbeenbuilt,notjustbetweenDukGrungandKarakHirn,but

between almost every dwarf hold from the Worlds Edge Mountains to the Black Mountains wasdifficultforFelixtocomprehend.“It’s…it’sastounding,”hesaidatlast.

“Thisisonlyatributaryroad,”saidGalin.“Therealundgrinistwiceasbig.”“ToobadDukGrungisn’trunninganymore,”saidKarl.“Thesteamtrainranthen,takingoreup

tothesmeltingroomatKarakHirn.Wecouldhavehoppeditandbeenatthekarakinaday.”Ragarsighed.“Thosewerethedays.Tendaysattheworkface,adayuptoKarakHirnforagood

bathandtwodaysofslapandticklewithIylda,adaydownagainontheundgrinandbacktowork.”“Aye,”saidArn.“Twodayswithalassisabouttherightamount.”“Withatwelvedaybreakinbetween,”agreedKarl.“Miningatthekarak,weseethemeverynight,”saidRagar,glum.“Seethemeverynightandtheystarttalkingaboutthings,”saidArn.“Weddings,forinstance,”saidKarl.“Andbabies,”saidRagar,swallowing.“Hopethechieffindsanewminesoon,”saidArn.Theotherbrothersnodded ferventlyas thedwarfs started to the rightatabriskpace, lanterns

swingingfromtheirbelts.Thebrothersbegansinginganolddwarfmarchingsong,and theotherssoonjoinedin.Afterthesixteenthverse,Felixstartedtogetaheadache.

“Aren’ttheyworriedaboutdrawingattentionanymore?”HeaskedGotrekoutofthesideofhismouth.

“Nothing lives down here,” Gotrek said. “Too deep, no water, and nothing to eat. Not eveninsects.”

Felix’swonderattheundgrinfadedquicklyasthepartymarchedalongitsunchanging,unendinglengthformileuponmile. Itwasthesafest, leastdifficult legof their journeybyfar—aflat,dry,smoothroadwaywithoutbendsorjunctions—andconsequently,themostboring,atleastforFelix.

Gotrek and Hamnir had no difficulty passing the time. The walls of their century of silencehavingtumbleddownatlast,reminiscencesandfriendlyinsultspouredoutoftheminalowrumblingflood. They walked side by side, heads together, with only the occasional “remember…” or“whateverhappenedto…”audibletotherestofthecompany,andnowandtheneruptinginlaughter

thatboomeddownthetunnelandbackagain.FelixfoundhimselfjealousofHamnir ’sfriendshipwithGotrek.GotrekandFelixhadsurvived

adventuresahundred timesmoredesperate than those thatGotrekhadsharedwithHamnir,buthadtheyeverlaughedaboutthemlikethis?Hadtheyevertrulysharedthem?Itseemedthat,asmuchastheyhadarguedandfought,GotrekandHamnirhadbeentruefriends.Theyhadfoughtthroughthedangerstheyhadfacedsidebyside,notwithHamnironestepbehindandtotheright,asFelixdid.Theyhadcarousedtogether,jokedtogetheranddevisedmadschemestogether.

What had Gotrek and Felix done together? Travelled, yes, but had they conversed as theytravelled?AslittleasGotrekcouldgetawaywith:“Thisway,manling”,“Comeon,manling”,“Leaveitbehind,manling”,andmoreof thesame.Theyhadoftendrunksidebyside,but therehadhardlybeen more conversation there — no comradely sharing of troubles, no boisterous joking, nobantering insults.Evenathismost inebriated,GotrekkepthimselfatoneremovefromFelix.Theywerenotfriends.Theywerenotequals.TheywereSlayerandrememberer,thatwasall.

Was itbecause theywereofdifferent races?Gotrekhad little respect formen, itwas true,butovertheyearshehadcometocountonFelix’sresilienceandprowesswithasword,aswellashisopinion.Nomatter howgrudgingly he listened, in the end he did listen—usually. Perhaps itwasbeingGotrek’sremembererthatwasthetrouble?TheSlayerwas,inaway,hisemployerandonewasrarelyatruefriendtoone’semployee.

Butwhenhethoughtaboutit,FelixcouldthinkofnooneinalltheirtravelsthatGotrekhadevertreatedasa truefriend—nooneuntilHamnir.Noteven theotherSlayers theyhadknown,SnorriNosebiterandBjorniandUlli.Oh,theyhaddrunkandroaredineverytavernandeverytowntheyhadevervisited,butFelixcouldnotrememberGotrekeveroncepouringouthistroublestoanyofthem,orlaughingwiththemoveroldtimes,orevenhatingthemasmuchashehadhatedHamnirbeforetheyhadburiedtheirgrudge.

ThenFelixknewwhatitwas.GotrekhadknownHamnirbeforehewasaSlayer.WhateverhaddrivenGotrektotakethecresthadnothappenedyetduringtheyearshehadtravelledwithHamnir.Gotrekhadbeen a different dwarf then, a dwarfwhohadyet to experience the tragedy thatwouldcausehimtoturnhisbackonhisfamily,hishold,andwhateverplanshemighthavemadeforhislife,andwandertheworldseekingagooddeath.

ThiswaswhyGotrekcouldjokeandfightwithHamnirsofreely.Hamnirbroughthimbacktoatimebeforehisdoom,whateveritmayhavebeen,andmadehimfeellikethedwarfhehadbeenthen,theyoungadventurerwhohadfoughthiswayupanddownthecoastoftheOldWorld.ThoseweretheyearswhenGotrek’shearthadbeenopenenoughtoallowhimfriends.Thosedayswerepast.NowtheSlayer ’sheartwaslockedbehindwallsthickerthanthosearoundthevaultofadwarfking.

FelixsuddenlyfeltsadforGotrek.PerhapsheevenunderstoodalittleofwhytheSlayersoughtdeath.Tobealone,evenwhensurroundedbyyourclosestcompanions,fortherestofadwarfslonglife, would be a misery hard to bear. If Hamnir was bringing back to Gotrek some of his losthappiness,whyshouldFelixbegrudgehim?Theywerealllikelytodieattheendofthistunnelasitwas.LettheSlayerlivefirst.

ThedwarfsmadecampforthenightaroundafireofthesameshinylumpsofcoalthatGalinhadusedtoignitetherailties.Onlyafewofthesetossedonthegroundburnedwiththebrightnessandwarmthofanormalwoodfire,andfornearlyaslong.Thedwarfs’shadowsmovedlikegiantsacrossthesoaringwallsoftheundgrininthefirelight,butasFelixlookedleftandright,downtheendlessundergroundroad,hefeltverysmall.

When theyhadalldrunka fewcupsof strongaleand finished theirhard tackandbiscuit, theevening turned into a dwarf boasting contest, each trying to top the others with the dangers and

outlandish adventures they had experienced. Gotrek was remarkably restrained, considering that,havingfaceddownadaemon,hecouldtopthemall.HetoldonlystoriesfromhistimeadventuringwithHamnir, long before he had found his rune axe or taken the Slayer ’s crest. Perhaps, thoughtFelix,thathadnothingtodowithrestraint.

“Well,noneofyouhaseverclimbedashighasIhave,I’llwager,”saidGalin,takingaswigofale.

“Ha!” said Narin. “I climbed old Hammertop, just to have a look at the sunset. You climbedhigherthanthat?”

Galinsmiledsmuglyandwipedhis lips.“Iwasoneof theyoungfoolswho joinedFirrikssonwhenhescaledtheMaiden’sTresses.”

Thorgiggaped.“YouclimbedtheTresses?Withthatbelly?”Theotherslaughed.Galin’seyesflashed,butthenherelaxedandchuckled,pattinghisswellingmidsection.“Ihadn’t

wonmyalevaultthen.Infact,Iwasyoungerthanyou,short-beard,andIthoughtFirrikssonwasthegreatestadventurerthateverlived.Ofcourse,weallfoundoutlaterthathewasasmadasasquiginheat,butthen,well…”Hepuffedonhispipeforamoment,hiseyesfaraway.“Yousee,he’dheardtheoldwives’talethattheMaiden’sEye,thatwinksfromthepeakoftheMaidenatsunriseandsunset,wasadiamondasbigasaminecart,andhedecidedhewantedit.Soupwewent,abunchofstriplingshortbeardsandFirriksson,alunaticThundererwhousedtodanceharvestjigsinhistent,byhimself,forahalfhoureverymorningbeforebreakingcamp.Saiditkepthimfit.Lostthreeofusonthewayup.Theyfelldownacrevasseinanicefield.Brokeeverybonetheyhad.Badbusiness.”Hefrowned,andthenshookoffthememoryandgrinned.“Whenwegettothetop,afterfiveofthecoldestdaysofmylife,FirrikssonfindstheMaiden’sEye,andit’severythingthat’spromised,bigasaminecart,asclearandcleanasspringwater…andmadeentirelyofsalt.”

Thedwarfsguffawed.Galinshrugged.“So,wecarvedournamesinit,hadalickforluck,andwentbackdown.”“You thinkKolin Firrikssonwasmad,” saidHamnir, “try serving under a human. The sanest

humanismadderthananydwarf.”HelookedoveratFelix,suddenlyrememberinghewasthere.“Er,nodisrespectmeant,HerrJaeger.”

Felixgroundhisteeth.“Nonetaken.”Gotreksnorted,“Andweoncefoughtforonewhowasmadderthanaskavenwithawarpstone

helmet.”Hamnirlookedathim,laughing.“YoumeanChamnelac!”“Aye,” said Gotrek. “Duke Chamnelac of Cres, a pirate hunter out of Bretonnia, fierce as a

badger…”“Andalmostasintelligent,”saidHamnir,“butifmoustacheshadbeenbrains,he’dhavebeena

mage.Hadapairofcurlingsoupstrainersyoucouldhavehungkettleson.”Gotrekleanedforwards.“We’dbeenchasingoldIceEye,aNorseraider,whowasthescourge

oftheBretonniancoastatthetime,andfinallycaughtupwithhimsouthofSartosa,onanislandwellknownforbeingarefugeforpirates.”

“Ithadbeenaroughvoyage,”saidHamnir,pickingupthestory.“Abadstormthreedaysout,arun-inwith a Tilean corsair that had killed twenty dwarfs andmen andwounded fortymore; andChamnelachadbeeninsuchahurrytogetafterIceEyethathehadn’tvictualledorsuppliedhimselfproperly. Therewas hardly any food or drinkingwater, and no surgeon. Chamnelac had left himbehindbymistake.”

“Hiscrewwasn’ttoopleased,needlesstosay”continuedGotrek.“Wewereunderstrengthtobe

attackingIceEyeinhishideyhole,andlikelytodieevenifwewon,forlackofbandages.Therewastalkofmutiny,andsomeofhisofficerswenttohimandbeggedhimtoturnback.”

“Chamnelacrefused,”saidHamnir.“Hecalledthemcowards.Hedidn’twant to let IceEyegetaway.HeanchoredhisshiponthefarsideoftheislandfromIceEye’swoodenfort,andorderedthemenashore,supposedlysotheycouldtakeonfreshwaterandhuntforfood.”Hegrinned.“Whentheydid…”

Gotreklaughed.“Whentheydid,hesetfiretohisship!Burntittothewaterline.”“What?”saidArn,“Humansareinsane.”“Iseethesenseofit,”saidThorgig.“Hismenwerewavering.Hewantedtogivethemnochoice

but to attack. The only way to return home was to kill Ice Eye and take his ship. No retreat. Nosurrender.”

“Verybrave,I’msure,”saidNarin,“buteventheboldestcommanderlikestoleavehimselfanout,ifhecan.”

“Diditwork?”askedRagar.“Didhewin?”GotrekandHamnirexchangedaslylook.“Ohaye,”saidGotrek.“Chamnelacwon.Tooktheislandwithoutafight.”“Withoutafight?”askedGalin.“Howisthatpossible?”“Because…” saidHamnir, and then burst out laughing, “because Ice Eye had seen the smoke

fromChamnelac’sburningshipandknewhewascoming,and…”Hislaughteroverwhelmedhim.Gotrekgrinnedsavagely.“Hesailedaway.IceEyetookoffwithallhisshipsandleftChamnelac

gapingontheshore!”“Sailedaway?”Thorgiggoggled,“ButthatmeansthatChamnelac…”“Couldn’tgetofftheisland!”chuckledNarin,slappinghisknee.“He’dtrappedhimself!Whata

fool!”Thorgigfrowned.“So,er,howdidyougetoff,didyoubuildaraft?”Hamnirshookhishead.“Toofarfromshore.Wewerestuckwellandproper.Intheend,after

threemonthswentbyandwewereallthinnerthanhumanbeer,anotherpirate,anEstalian,droppedanchortotakeonwater.”

“DidChamnelactakehisship,then?”askedRagar.Gotrek grinned. “Chamnelacwas dead,murdered the first nightweweremarooned.Half his

officerstoo.No,wesignedthearticlesandjoinedup,thewholeofChamnelac’screw.Mostofthemstayedontheaccounttoo,asIrecall.”

“Thepoorolddukebirthedmorepiratesthanheevertook,”saidHamnir,shakinghishead.Gotrek tookaswallowofale.“Threemonthsonan islandwithabunchof filthyBretonnians,

andonlyberriesandseagullstoeat,ruinedmystomachforayear.”“You had it easy,” saidNarin. “Iwas trapped in a hunter ’s shack in theKislev oblast for two

months in themiddleofwinter,with twoogres forcompanyandnothing toeatbutacellar fullofrottenturnips.”

“Adwarfcanliveonturnips,”saidGalin.“Don’tsoundsuchahardship.”“A dwarf can, aye,” said Narin. “Unfortunately ogres can’t. Oh, they’ll eat them. They’ll eat

anything,butit’llonlyleavethemwantingsomething…meatier.Namely,me.”Theotherslaughed.Felix sawGotrek lookover atLeatherbeard asNarin toldhis story.TheyoungSlayerwasn’t

participatingintheboasting.Hesatalittlewayofffromtheothers,staringintothefirethroughtheeyes of his crudely patchedmask. Gotrek glanced at him severalmore times duringNarin’s tale.

Then,whiletheRassmussonbrothersweretryingtotophimbytellingaveryconfusedstoryabouttrickingacompanionoftheirsintoeatingtrolldung,hegotupandcrossedtohim.

“Allright,Slayer?”Gotrekasked,squatting.Leatherbeardshrugged.“Notstilltroubledaboutusseeingyourface?”Leatherbeardshookhishead.“Thatisn’tit.Notallofit.”“Well then, what’s the matter? It isn’t every day that a dwarf graduates from squigslayer to

trollslayer.”FelixcouldjustseethecornersoftheyoungSlayer ’smouthturnupsadlythroughthemouth-

slotofhismask.“Iamgladtohavewonthename,aye,”hesaid,“but…butIdidn’tdie.Ididn’tendmyshame.

Instead,Ilostmymaskandmadeitworse.”Gotrekchuckled,ablack,emptysound.“NowyouknowthetruepainoftheSlayer,lad,”hesaid.

“Everyvictoryisadefeat,foronlyifwediedowefulfilourdestinies;butifwedon’ttrytowin,ifwedropour axes and let the troll rip us apart, thenGrungniwon’t accept us into thehalls of ourancestors,forhedoesn’tcareforsuicides.”Hesighed.“I’vebeenatiteightyyears.Thepaindoesn’tgoaway,butyougetusedtoit.”Hestood.“Beerhelps.Haveanother.”Hereturnedtotheothersandthetalescontinued.Thenextmorning—iftherewassuchathingasmorninginthestygianunderworldoftheundgrin—afewhoursafterthedwarfsbrokecamp,theycametoaplacewhereitlookedasifthetunnelhadbeen crushed by a giant hand. The floor was buckled and broken, and the walls and ceiling hadcrumbledand fallen in.Bouldersasbigashouses littered the floor, crushing the twistedcart rails.Otherbouldershadfallenatopthem,someprecariouslybalanced,andtheceilingabovethemesswasmazedwithcracksandmissingblocks.Itbulgeddownominouslyinplaces.

“Didyouknowthiswashere?”askedGotrek,hiseyestravellingacrossthewreckage.“Ihadheardtherewassomedamagefromanearthquakethatoccurredsixtyyearsafterthemine

closed,”Hamnirsaid,“butthatitwaspassable.”“Icanseebeyondit,”saidNarin,twistingthesliverofwoodinhisbeard,“butitdoesn’tlookto

beapleasantstroll.”“Miner ’snightmare,”saidGalin,lookinguneasilyupattheceiling.“Thoseblockscouldcome

downatanyminute.Anyoneofussomuchasraiseshisvoiceorstampshisfeetand…boom.”“My father meant to repair this,” said Hamnir, swallowing queasily, “but there were always

thingsclosertohomethatweremoreurgent.”“Iheardheleftitthiswayonpurpose,”saidKarl.“Aye,” said Ragar, “so that no army could get through here without it all dropping on their

heads.”“Aready-madetrap,”saidArn.“Atrapforus,”saidLeatherbearduneasily.“ArockfallisnodoomforaSlayer.”“Olifsson,”saidHamnir.“Seeifyoucanfindusawaythrough.”“Me?”saidGalin,eyesbulging.“Doyoumeantogetmekilled?”“Youareanengineer,”saidHamnir.“Youcameforthispurpose.Iwantyouradviceonthis.”Galinswallowed.“Myadvice,”hesaid,“istofindanotherwayaround.”Hamnirscowled.“Youknowverywell thereisnootherway.It’s through,orbackthewaywe

came.”“Areyouacowardafterall,Olifsson?”askedThorgig.“Youlookalittlepale.”

Itwastrue.Galin’snormallyfloridfacewasmudgrey.“I’m amine engineer,” he said. “As the Slayer knows his axe and Prince Hamnir knows his

markets, Iknowwallsandceilingsand theweight theywillbear.Thatceiling ishangingbyspiderwebs.Wewon’tmakeitthrough.”

“Butwemust,”saidHamnir,“andyou’rethedwarftoguideus.”“It’sdeath,”saidGalin,hiseyesneverleavingthecrumblingceiling.Hamnirsteppedtohimandlookedhimintheeye.“Listentome,engineer.Ihaveaholdtosave.I

willnotturnback.Youareavolunteer.Ihavenotorderedyoutofollowme.Youarefreetoleave.Therestofuswilltrytocrossthroughthisdeathtrapwithoutyou.”

Galinshookhishead.“You’llnevermakeit.”“Notwithoutyou,”saidHamnir,andheturnedawaytostandnexttoGotrek,whowassurveying

thecollapse.The others turned away too.Galin stood behind them, lips tight, head down. Felix joined the

others,asmuchtosparetheengineerhisscrutinyastoshunhimliketherest.“Allright,curseyou,”Galinchokedafteralongpause.“Allright,I’llhavealook.Ican’thave

you fools stomping in and killing yourselves.” He pushed through them, glaring furiously. Hestoppedattheedgeofthemess,removedhispackandlaiddownhishammer.

Hamnirputahandonhisshoulder.“Thankyou,engineer.”Galinshruggedhimoff,snarling,andthenswallowedandtookadeepbreath.ItseemedtoFelix

thathemighthavelosthiscourageoncemore,butatlasthestartedforwards,onecautiousinchatatime.Threepacesinhelookedback.“Stayquiet.”

The other dwarfswaited as he picked hisway cautiously through the boulders, placing everyfootwithcare,testingthefloorandtherubblewithtremblingtoesandfingers.Hesoondisappearedaround a fall of boulders, andFelix and theother dwarfs held their breath and craned their necks.Afterwhatseemedlikeforever,hereappeared,hislegstremblingandhisredfacebathedinsweat.Heinchedbacktothemasslowlyandmethodicallyashehadleftthem,andatlastletoutalongbreathwhenhesteppedbeyondthelastbitofjumbledgranite.

“Well,thereisaway,”hesaid,moppinghisbrow,“butyouwillallhavetostepexactlywhereIstepandtouchonlywhatItouch.Kickingapebbleorslippingonabitofscreeinthatmesswillburyus.There’repartsofthatroofthat…”heshivered.“Well,Idon’tknowwhat’sholdingitup.”

“Couldn’twemakeabignoisenowandbringitdownbeforewegoon?”askedFelix.Thedwarfsgavehimpatronisinglooks.“That would indeed be safest,” said Narin, smiling, “but where’s the guarantee that the road

wouldstillbepassableafteritfell?”“Icanguaranteeitwouldn’tbe,”saidGalin.“Ah,yes.Isee.Ofcourse.”Felixblushed.Hefeltlikeafool.“Right,”saidHamnir, turningtotheothers,“all inoneline,closetogether.Taketheexactstep

thedwarfinfrontofyoutook.Galin,youhavethelead.Jaeger,youcomelast.”Felix’sheartthudded.“WhyamIlast?”“Because you have the longest legs to run with, if things begin to fall,” said Hamnir, “and,

forgivemeifI’mblunt,you’remorelikelytoputafootwrongthanadwarf.”Felix’sfistsballed.Moreinsults.“It’s true,manling,”saidGotrek.“Wedwarfswereborn to tunnelsandcave-ins.Weknowour

footing.”“Ayeaye,fine,”saidFelixHewantedtopunchallthesuperiorlittleknow-it-allsinthenose,but

herestrainedhimself.Itwouldprobablybringtheroofdown.Hetookoffhisredcloakandstuffeditinhispacksoitwouldn’tcatchonanything.

“Followclose,”saidGalin,“anddon’tsayaword.”Thedwarfsstartedaheadlikeacaterpillaronthemarch,walkinginlockstep,eachwithonehand

ontheshoulderofthedwarfaheadofhim.Theyseemedtohavedoneitmanytimesbefore.FelixputhishandonGotrek’sshoulderanddidhisbesttofollowalong,staringintentlyattheSlayer ’sfeet.

Itwasslowgoing.Atthefrontoftheline,Galintestedthewaywiththehaftofhiswarhammer,makingcertainno rockor slabheputhis footonwouldshiftor slip.Thenhewouldstepand testagain,step,andtestagain.ThenextdwarfwouldthenplacehisfootwhereGalinhadplacedhis,andso on. At first, this wasn’t difficult, but, as they began to weave through the maze of monolithicbouldersandupthroughplaceswherethefloorhadbuckledandroseatasteepslant,thefootingwastrickier. The dwarfs braced each other as they went up and down, making sure they didn’t slipbackwardsortipforwards.

Felix’s heart thudded so noisily as he followed Gotrek that he thought the vibrations wouldsurelyshakeloosetheceiling.Hewassweatinglikeafountain.Everytrickleofdust,everyclackofbootheelonrockmadehimcringeandhunchhisshoulders.Hisneckachedwithtension.

HewatchedGotrekstepovera jutting ridgeof floorandcarefullyplacehis footon theotherside,exactlywherethedwarfbeforehimhadplacedhis.Felixliftedhislegovertheridgeandsteppeddownprecisely,eyesonwhereGotrekwassteppingnext,and…

Crack!Hesmackedhisheadonalowrockoverhang.Heclampedahandoverhismouthtostiflea yelp.Theworldwas receding and turning yellow and black.His knees buckled.He had been sointent onGotrek’s feet that he hadn’t seen the cantilevered slab of granite thatGotrek had simplywalked under. He wanted to scream and jump up and down, but both would be suicide. He stoodfrozen.Thetunnelspunaroundhim.Hewasgoingtofall.

Agrip like ironcaughthisupper arm.Heopenedhis eyes.Gotrekwasholdinghimsteady, astubbyfingeronhislips.Felixnodded,andthenwishedhehadn’t.Italmosttoppledhim.Helookedpast Gotrek. The other dwarfs had stopped, and were looking back at him with expressions thatrangedfrompitytocontempttoamusement.Galinwasstaringwide-eyedupat theceiling.Hislipsweremovingasifhewaspraying.

Afteramoment,thetunnelsteadiedandthedizzinesspassed.Felix’sheadstillachedabominably,and a thread of blood ran down to the tip of his nose, but he had recovered enough to walk. Hemotioned toGotrek to go on.TheSlayer turned backwith the others and took another step. Felixduckedlowundertheprojectingslabandfollowed.

Felixwasn’ttheonlyonewhoerred.Halfwaythroughthewreckage,Galin’sprobingaxehandledislodgeda skull-sized rock that rolledandbounceddowna slantedsectionof flooras thedwarfsfrozeandlookedup, theirshouldershunched.Dribblesofdustraineddownfromtheceiling,butitstayed inplace.A little furtheron,Thorgigputhishandout tobracehimself on a fallenblockofstoneand itbegan to tip.Hegaspedandsteppedback,and theothers lookedaround.Thecarriage-sizedblockwasprecariouslybalancedonasmallerrockbelowit,itsbalancepointdirectlyoverthebottomrock’sedge.Thedwarfsfrozeas theywatchedit teeterslowly,andthensettlebackwith thesoftestofthuds.Everyonebreathedagain.

At last,Galin led thembeyond the ruptured floorandout fromunder thebulgingceiling,andtheyallletoutgreatsighsofrelief.

Felixdabbedat his bloodied foreheadwithhishandkerchief and lookedback.His limbswereshakingwithreaction.“Ihopewedon’thavetoretreatthisway.Idon’tthinkIcouldtakeitagain.”

“Retreat?”saidGotrek,frowning.

He andHamnir looked at each other, and grinned.As one, they stooped and picked up heavyrocks.

“Thereisnoretreat,”saidHamnir.“For Chamnelac!” they cried, as they hurled their rocks back at the stretch of broken tunnel.

“Burntheboat!”Bothrocksbouncednoisilyoff the topof themassive teeteringblock thatThorgighadnearly

toppledwithatouch.Theotherdwarfsstared.“Youmadmen!”breathedFelixastheblockbegantodip.“Maddwarfs,”correctedGotrek.Theblock’smovementslowedanditlookedasifitwasgoingtorockbacktoitsrestingposition

likeithadbefore,butjustthentheedgeofthebottomrockcrumbledunderitsenormousweight,andthetoprockslippedforwardsafoot,overbalancedandslammedtothefloorwithaboomingcrashthatshookthewholetunnel.

Alongrippingsoundechoedfromabove, likethetearingofsomeenormousstarchedcanvas,andawholesectionoftheceilingtoreaway,breakingupasitfelltowardsthefloor.

“Run!”shoutedGalin.The first blocks smashed into the rubble like cannonballs.Thedwarfswereknockedoff their

feet.They bouncedup again and sprinted away from the collapse in amad scramble as the tunnelshookandboomed.Felixglancedbackasheran.Moreandmoreblocksfell,pulverisingthosethathadfallenbefore.Thewallswere folding inand toppling.Hewashit in thecheekbyapebble thatstunglikeabullet.ArockthesizeofaMarienburgcheesebouncedpasthim,narrowlymissingRagarbeforerollingtoastop.

Another glance. A rising cloud of dust was obscuring the wreckage and billowing after thedwarfs faster than they could run. Felix choked as it enveloped him, silting his tongue, eyes andnostrilswithpowderedgranite.Thedwarfs’lampsweredullorangeglowsthatbobbedaroundhiminthegreymurk,whiletheroaroffallingrockcontinuedtobatterhisears.

Fifty paces on, they reached the edgeof the dust cloud and slowed.The constant thunderwastaperingofftoindividualsmashesandbooms.Thedwarfsstopped.

Gotrek and Hamnir were cackling like naughty schoolboys, choking and laughing in equalmeasure as tears cut pink channels down their dust-caked cheeks. They and the rest of the dwarfslookedasiftheyhadbeendippedinaflourbarrel.Felixwasthesame.Theysneezedandhackedandspat,bentdoublefromtheirsprint.

“Bitclosethere,”saidHamnir,giggling.“Aye,abit,”agreedGotrek.“Youmighthavegivenussomewarning!”saidNarin.“Notexactlytacticallysound,”huffedGalin.“It’sallverywelltosay‘noretreat’,but…”Gotrek lookedup at him,glaring. “Thereneverwas any retreat.This justmakes it clear.The

onlywayoutisforwards.”Hamnirsoberedtoo.“Thereisnootherwayintothehold.Iwillmakeitinthiswayordietrying.

The same as you swore to do when you volunteered for this mission. If you are having secondthoughts,well,”helaughedevilly,“you’rehavingthemsecondstoolate.”Heglaredaroundatthemall.“Now,areyoureadytogo?”

Thedwarfsnodded.Theybrushedthedust fromthemselves,squared theirweaponsandpacks,andthepartyresumeditsmarch.Felixputhisredcloakonagain.Itwascoldintheendlesstunnel.

Hamnir looked back as theywent, though the collapsed sectionwas invisible in the dust and

darknessbehind them.Hesmiledgrimly.“Birrissonwillbehappy—ifhe still lives.Hasn’thadareallybigrebuildingprojectincenturies.”

CHAPTERFIFTEENTheparty reached theunder entrance to theminesofKarakHirn late in the afternoonofwhat thedwarfsassuredFelixwastheseconddaytheyhadspentonthedeeproad.Felixhadentirelylosttrack.It felt tohimas ifhehadspentamonthwithoutseeing thesun.Hewasbeginning towonder if theoverworld was only a dream he had once had. There were dwarfs who lived most of their liveswithoutseeingthesun.Itgavehimthechillsjustthinkingaboutit.

Hiscompanionshooded their lanternsandcreptcautiously towards theentrance.Theyweren’tabouttounderestimatetheorcsagain.Atrainoftitanicorecarts,builttothescaleoftheundgrin,satonthetracksnear theentrance,andtheypaddedalongthem,usingthemascover.Attheendof thetrain, theysquatteddownandpeeredunder the lastcart. Inkeepingwith therestof theundgrin, theopening that led intoKarakHirnwas immense— a three storey high archway in thewall of thetunnel, sowide that theeight side-by-side rail lines that emerged from it,bending right and left toconnect to the undgrin lines, fitted in itsmouthwith room to spare.Giant stone figures of dwarfsstoodguardoneithersideofit,thickstonehandsrestingontwenty-foottallbattleaxes.

A little ball of light bobbed slowly between the grimgranite sentinels as a patrol of six orcsmarchedbackandforthacrossthedoor ’sbreadth,carryingtorches.

Hamnirwas staring beyond them. Inside the door, a broad ramp rose into the interior of themine, theeightrail linesrisingwithit.Thetopof therampwasilluminatedbyaflickeringorangefireglow,androaringandrushingcamefaintlytotheirears.

“It appears they occupy the lower foundry” said the prince. “Wewill get past these six easilyenough,butifthefoundryhalliswelllit…”

“Noneedforthat,prince,”saidArn.“Aye,”saidRagar.“There’sastair just insidethedoorontheleft,goesupdirect to theeighth

deepguardroom.”“Sotheladsatthedoordon’thavetotrekallthewayaroundtothemainshaftwhentheygooff

shift.”“Excellent,”saidHamnir.“Thenthatishowwewillgo.Theoldkrukisonlyfivedeepsabove

that.”Thedwarfswaiteduntiltheorcpatrolwasapproachingtherightsideofthevastdoorway,and

thentip-toedfrombehindthetrainandhurriedquietlyacrossthetunneltohideintheshadowoftheleft-handstatue.Theywaitedagainasthepatrolmarchedslowlybacktowardsthem,madetheirturn,andstartedawayagain.Again,Felixandtheothersnotedtheorcs’strangebehaviour—theirblank,quietdemeanour,punctuatedbyshort,howlingoutbursts thatstoppedalmostassoonastheybegan.TheyremindedFelixofpitdogsbeingbittenbyfleas.

Astheorcsapproachedthefarsideof thedoor,Hamnirwavedtheothersahead.Theyslippedaround the statue and through the archway. The Rassmusson brothers pointed to a small, blackopeningintheleftwall.Thedwarfsfiledthroughitandupthestairsbehindit, thenwaitedonceallwerein,tohearifanalarmhadbeenraised.Allwasquiet.

“Welldone,”whisperedHamnir.“Onwego.Totheeastendofthethirddeep.”Thedwarfscarriedonupthepitch-blackstair,walkingquietlyandlisteningintently.Felixcould

hearnothingexcepttheirownbreathingandfootsteps,butafewflightsuphebegantonoticeafaintredlighttravellingwiththem.

“Gotrek,”hesaid.“Youraxe.”TheSlayerbroughttheaxeupandlookedatit.Therunesontheheadwereglowingfaintly.He

frowned.“Nevershoneforgrobibefore,”hegrunted.“Trolls,daemons,sorcery,aye.Notgrobi.”Hamnir ’sbrowfurrowed.“Coulditbethedarkpowersbehindall this?Theyarestronginthe

northnow.”Gotrekshrugged.“Whateveritis,we’llkillitwhenwecometoit.”Buttheglowoftherunegrewfainterthehighertheyclimbed,andwhenatlasttheyreachedthe

eighthdeepitwasentirelydarkagain.Orange light shone through the bars of the gate at the top of the stair. Gotrek crept up to

investigatewhiletheotherswaitedintheshadows,weaponsattheready.Heflattenedhimselfagainstthewall,peeredthroughtheopening,andthentriedthegate.Itwaslocked.Hecursedunderhisbreathandgrabbedthebars,pullingwithinexorablestrength.

“Gotrek,leaveoff!”hissedHamnir,startingupthestairsandpullingasilverkeyfromhisbeltpouch.“Iamaprinceofthishold,ifyourecall.Ihaveamasterkey.”

Gotrekgruntedandsteppedback,lettingHamniropenthedoor,asFelixandthedwarfscameupbehind them.The guardroomwas still a guardroom.Orcweapons and bits of crude armourwerestrewnabout,andtherancidremainsofanorcmealsatonthetable.Dwarflanternsflickeredonthewalls.

“Filthybeasts,”saidThorgig,“defilingourhome.”“Easy,lad,”saidHamnir.Gotrekcrossedtheroomandlookedoutintothepassagebeyond.“Allclear.”Hamnirledthepartyintothepassageandtheycreptthroughthehallsandchambersofthevast

mine.The soundsof theorc occupation echoed all around them:heavymarching feet, the roar offurnaces,thebatteringofhammersandpicks.Thedwarfswerehorrifiedbythesesounds,andwhenthey came to a gallery that looked down into a deep excavation ringed with scaffolding, wherehundredsoforcsandgoblinsdugatthewallsindrearysilence,theystared,caughtbetweenwonderandfury.

“Thisismadness,”saidNarin.“Orcsdon’tmine.Theydon’tsmelt.”“Aye,” agreed Galin, “the shiftless beasts haven’t done an honest day’s work in their whole

history.Theystealtheirontheyhavefromdwarfs.”Hamnir nodded. “I was afraid I was going to find shackled dwarfs under the whip of orc

overseers,butthisis…”“Bizarre,iswhatitis,”saidLeatherbeardinwonder.“Itisn’tright,”saidThorgig,staring.“Thewholebusinessisunnatural.”“TothinkI’dlivetoseeorcswalkingaroundourmineliketheyownedtheplace,”saidKarl.“Aye,”saidRagar,“ablackday.”“We’llchopthemtopieces,brothers,”saidArn.“Don’tyouworry.Onceweopenthefrontdoor

we’llsetalltorights.”Theymovedon,avoidinglumberingorcpatrolsastheycametothem,andkeepingoutofsight

oftheorcworkpartiesthatwerebusydiggingandhaulingoreandrockoneverylevel.Thedwarfswere sunk in a gloomy silence by the strangeness of the orcs and their mere presence in theirancestralmines.

Felixtoowasinfectedwithgloom.Eversincetheyhadenteredthemine,amoodofdreadanddespairhadcomeoverhim,andseemedtogrowstrongerwitheverystep.Hisheartfeltasifitwerepumping ice water into his veins. He couldn’t pinpoint the source of the anxiety. The party’sinfiltrationhadsofargonesmoothly.Theirmissionwasnomoredangerousthanithadalwaysbeen,andyethecouldhardlykeephimselffromsobbing.Hehadasensethattheywerefatedtofail: thatsome ancient doom had come upon them that therewould be no avoiding. They hadn’t a hope of

succeeding.Heshouldjustgiveupandrunstraightintothefirstorcpatrolhesawandenditall.Heshookhimself.Whatwashethinking?Hehadneverbeenpronetodeathwishesbefore.That

wasGotrek’sburden,nothis.Whatwasthematterwithhim?Wasthedwarfs’uneaseabouttheorcs’un-orcishbehaviourrubbingoffonhim?WasitthatGotrek’saxehadglowed?Whateveritwas,heshoved the feeling away and forced himself to be calm. The last thing he needed was the dwarfslaughingathimforjumpingatshadows.Therewereplentyoftangibledangerstoworryabout.

Onthefourthlevel,theyhadtoclimbanairshafttoriseaboveanareacrowdedwithorcworkparties.Gratedventsalongitslengthglowedredfromtheroomsbeyond,castingthedwarfs’featuresingrislycrimson.Thedwarfspeered through thesegrates, cursingunder theirbreath.One lookeddownuponagreatforgeroom,whereahundredbellowsroared,andahundredanvilsrangunderthehammersoforcsmiths.

“Theyareusingourhammers!Oursacredanvils!”saidThorgig,hisvoicerising.“Wemustslaythem.Theycan’tbeallowedto—”

“Easy,”saidHamnir.Buthewastremblingtoo,hardlyabletotearhiseyesawayfromthesightsbeyondthegrate.

Galinshookhisheadashestaredthrough.“Axes,spears,armour,andofexcusablequalitytoo.Neverseenorcsworklikethat.”

“Andwhatdesignsarethese?”askedNarin.“Neverseenthelike.Looklikespiderparts.”The red light glitteredoffGotrek’s one eye as heglared into the forge room. “Whatdo they

makeitfor?That’sthequestion.Lookslikethey’regettingreadytomakewaronthewholeworld.”Thedwarfslookedathim,eyeswide.“ByGrimnir ’sbeard,”saidThorgig.“Whatdotheymeantodo?IsKarakHimthefirstholdof

manythattheymeantotake?”“No,”saidHamnir,grimly,“itistheirlast.”“Itistheirgrave,”saidGotrek.Felixshivered,thefeelingofdreadsuddenlystronger.Heshookitoffwithdifficulty.The dwarfs moved on, climbing the airshaft to exit into a dark chamber on the third level.

Hamnirledthemeast,throughamazeofsortingandsmeltinghalls,forgesandsupplypantries.Thefurtherawayfromthemainshafttheywentthefewerorcpatrolstheypassed,andthelesspopulatedthecorridorsandroomsbecame,untilsoontheyseemedentirelyalone.Thiswasanoldsectionofthemine,dugoutwhentheholdwasyoung,andlongagoturnedintostorageroomsandworkshops,allofwhichhadbeenransackedbytheorcsandthenabandoned.

Hamnirfinallystoppedatalargestonedoorinadustyanddisusedcorridor.“Thedoortothekruk,”hesaid.

Therewereorcfootprintsinthedustbeforeit.Gotrek peered at the keyhole, holding a torch close. “Been opened recently,” he said, “with a

key.”Hamnirgroaned.Hetookakeyfromhisringandinserteditinthelock.Thedwarfsreadiedtheir

weapons.ThelockturnedeasilyandHamnirpulleditopen.Thedwarfslookedin.Orcfootprintsranoffintodarknessdownadarkoldtunnel,smallerandrougherthantherestofthemine.

“Havetheyfoundeverything!”askedHamnir,angrily.ThedwarfsenteredandHamnir lockedthedoorbehindthem.Theymovedquietlythroughthe

oldmine,glaringintotheshadowsastheyfollowedtheorctrail.Itwasn’ttoolong,however,beforethefootprintsstoppedanddoubledback,andthedwarfscouldfindnomorefurtheron.

Hamnirbreathedasighofrelief.“Itappearsthattheydecidedtherewasnothingtotake.Good.Now,thisway.”

He led them swiftly, and with a dwarf’s unerring knowledge of where he was underground,throughthemazeofcrossingcorridors,untilhestoppedatasectionofwallindistinguishablefromanyotherinthekruk.

“Here,”hesaid.“Myfather ’svaultistenfeetbehindthiswall.”Galinsteppedupandrappedonthewallwithhisknuckles.“MayItakeasounding,prince?”“Byallmeans,”saidHamnir.GalinturnedtoNarin,whocarriedawarhammer.“Willyoustrikethewall,Ironskin?”Narinnoddedandreadiedhisweapon.“Atyourcommand.”Galintookoffhishelmetandpressedhiseartothewall.“Strike.”Narinswung,andthehammerrangoffthewall.Galinlistenedtotherockintently,andthenmovedafewyardsdownthewallandagainpressed

againstit.“Oncemore.”NarinsmackedthewallagainasGalinconcentrated.Astheechoesdied, theengineerfrowned

and stepped back, stroking his beard and shaking his head. “Afraid you’ve miscalculated, prince.There’sacavityhererightenough,butit’sclosertotwentyfeetin.”

Hamnirgroaned.“Twentyfeet?Canwedigthroughthatintime?”heasked,chewinghislip.Galinrubbedaroughpalmover thewall.“Hmmm,sandstone,but there’safoldofgneiss that

angles through it andwe’ll have to get through that first: denser stuff.”He shrugged. “A seasonedminershouldbeabletoclearafootdeepholehisownheightandwidththroughsandstoneinanhourandahalf, goingall out, buthe can’tdo it formore than threehours at themostwithout slowingconsiderably.”

Helookedaroundatthedwarfs.“I’vedonemyshareofdigging,andIknowtheseladshave,”hesaid,noddingattheRassmussonbrothers,“buttheThunderersandSlayersandHammerersmightnothaveswungapickinacenturyorso.Ifit’sjustthefourofus,workinginshifts…”Hepaused,doingcalculationsinhishead.“Thirtyhours,probablymore,toaccountforfatigue.”

“Icandig,”saidGotrek.“AscanI,”saidLeatherbeard.“ItwasasaminerthatIfoughttheskaven.”“Itwillstillbethirtyhours,”saidGalin.“Though,withsixdigging,wewillbelesswearywhen

webreakthrough.”“Wemustbefaster,”saidHamnir,hisbrowfurrowed.“Itisthenightofthefifthday,andwetold

GorrilthatwewouldopentheHornGateatsunsettomorrow.Nomorethantwentyhours.Hisforcecannotwaitfortenhours.Thegrobiwillpickthemtopiecesastheydidbefore.”

“Hewillwait,prince,”saidThorgig.“Hewouldneverabandonyourcause.”“Iknow,”saidHamnir.“Iknow.”“Thenstoptalking,”saidGotrek,“andstartdigging.”TheRassmussonbrothersnodded,doffedtheirpacksandtheirarmour,tookuptheirpicks,and

withoutanyfurtherpreamble,beganswingingatthewallwithapracticedrhythm.Itwasdeafening.Chunksofsandstonebegantolitterthefloor.

“Thefirstfootortwowillgoquicker,”saidGalintoHamnir,“whilethreecanworkatonce,butwhentheholeisdeeper,onlyonedwarfwillbeabletoreachtheface.”

HamnirnoddedandturnedtoThorgig,givinghimhisringofkeys.“Cousin,gotothedoorandseeifthediggingcanbeheardfromthere.”HelookedupatFelix.“Gowithhim,HerrJaeger.Ifwecannotbeheard,gointothemine.Wewillneedabarrowandbeerordrinkablewater,asmuchasyoucancarry.”

“Andfood,”saidGalin.“Diggingishungrywork,andwe’veeatennearlyallwebrought.”

“Nofood,”saidHamnirgrimly,“atleastnomeat.Whatgrobieatmaybedwarf.”Felix and the young dwarf set out as the others began setting up camp around theworkface,

layingouttheirbedrollsandknockingspikesinthewallsfromwhichtohangtheirlanterns.Whentheyhadreachedthedoorandcloseditbehindthem,theystoodstill,listeningfortheclash

ofpickonrock.Thorgigcursedunderhisbreath.“Faintbutclear.Thisisbad.”“Ihearnothing,”saidFelix.Thorgigbrightened.“Thatisbecauseyouareahuman.Good.Thehearingoforcsisasinferior

asthatofmen,soperhapswearesafe.”Felixgrunted,annoyedonceagainbytheoffhandinsult.Thorgiglookedup,colouring.“Myapologies,HerrJaeger.Iknowyoudon’tliketohearabout

humanshortcomings.YousavedKagrin’slife,andmine.Ioweyoumorerespect.Iwillrefrainfromspeakingoftheminyourpresence.”

Felixtensed,chokingbacktheurgetospitafewdwarfshortcomingsinThorgig’sface,butwhatwastheuse?Hewasn’ttryingtobeinsulting.Infact,hethoughthewasbeingpolite.Hedidn’tknowanybetter,andnowwasn’tthetimetoeducatehim.

Felix bowed, hiding a smirk. “I am humbled and honoured by your sense of tact, ThorgigHelmgard,”hesaid.

Thorgig nodded, pleased. “Thank you, Herr Jaeger. The courtesy of the dwarfs seems to berubbingoffonyou.Thisway.”

Felixfollowedhimdownthehall,shakinghisheadinwonder.Theyskulkedsilently towards themorepopulatedareaof themine,andwereable to findand

takealmostallthethingsonHamnir ’slistwithoutarousingtheattentionofanyorcs.Theexceptionwasbeer.Everycasktheyfoundhadbeenbroached,smashedordrained.Theydidhoweverfindsomestaledwarfflatbreadthatapparentlyhadn’tappealedtotheorcpalate.Theydumpeditintothebarrowalongwithtwolargeskinsofwater,someshovels,andajaroflampoil,andhurriedbacktothekruk.

Felixwasastoundedbyhowmuchrock thebrothershaddug in theirabsence.Thehole in thewallwasnearlyafootandahalfdeepalready,andthoughtooshortforFelixtostandupin,widerthanadwarf.Thethreebrothersdidnotappeartohaveslowed,keepinguptheirsteady,machine-likerhythmwithoutpause.Theothershadclearedawaytherubbleof theirexertionsasbest theycould,andFelixandThorgiggottoworkshovellingitupanddumpingitinthebarrow.ThenFelixwheeleditoffdownthecorridoranddumpeditoutoftheway.

Forthenexttenhoursthatwasallhedid.Whilethedwarfschippedatthewall,andtheholegotincrementallydeeper,Felixshovelledthescrapingsintothebarrowandcarriedthemaway.Itwasallhecouldcontribute.Askinghimtoswingapickwouldonlyhaveslowedthemdown.He’dhavebeenluckytodigtwoinchesinanhour.

Atthetwo-hourmark,thebrothershaddugasdeepasthreedwarfsstandingsidebysidecoulddig, and fell back, exhausted. Galin took over alone, stripped to the waist, swinging at a steadyunwaveringpacethatspokeoflongexperience.HamnirandNarinworkedbehindhim,wideningtheholeandscrapingthetailingsouttothepassagewhereFelixpickedthemup.

The other dwarfs rested as best they could, andHamnir sent Leatherbeard, and then, an hourlater,Narin,tothekrukdoortolistenfororcpatrols.

Aftertwohours,Galinstumbledoutoftheshallowhole,havingdugafurtherfootandahalf.Hewasbathed insweatandshaking.Leatherbeard tookhisplace, removinghismaskso thathemightbreathebetter,butonlyafterhewashidden in thehole.Twohours later anda footdeeper,hewasreplacedbyGotrek,whosetattherockasifitwasahordeoforcs.Stoneanddustflew.

“Easy,Slayer,”saidGalin,liftinghisheadfromwherehelay.“Youwon’tlastatthatpace.”“Iknowmylimits,”saidGotrek,andcontinuedatthesamefuriousrate.Foratime,hewasfasterthantheothershadbeen,cuttingthroughafootofrockinanhour,but

asheenteredhissecondhour,hisprogressslowed,hisbarebackrunningwithsweat.Eventhen,hemaintained the pace that Leatherbeard had, and looked as if he could continue at that speedindefinitely.Althoughtheotherspraisedhimandencouragedhim,heseemeddissatisfied,growlingandmuttering.

Finally,hesteppedoutofthehole,wipinghisbrowandscowling.“Ready to switch?” askedRagar, sittingup.Hehadhad sixhours’ rest and looked reasonably

fresh.Gotrekshookhishead,pickedupasecondpick,anddisappearedback into theholewithouta

word.Theotherdwarfscrowdedaround theopening,watchinggape-mouthedasGotrekattacked the

work-facewith the twopicks, swinging themas easily and skilfully as his companions had swungone.Sparksandchunksofsandstonefleweverywhere.

Hiseyesglowed.“Nowwe’llmakesometime,”hegrowledashesettleddownintoarhythm.Hismassivemusclesshonewithsweatinthelamplight.ThewasterockpileduparoundGotrek’sfeetatanamazingrate.

“He’smad,”saidGalin.“He’llwearhimselftoathread,”saidNarin.Hamnir stared hard atGotrek’s back, as if hemeant to order the Slayer to pace himself, but

instead,hebackedintothetunnelandturnedaway.Gotrekwentthreemorehoursanddugfourmorefeet,anunheard-offeatthathadtheothers,the

Rassmussonbrothersparticularly,stiffwithjealousy.“Isn’tproperform,”sniffedKarl,asheapproachedtheworkfaceforhissecondshiftandswung

hispick.“Wouldneverdoforrealmining,”agreedArn,holdingalanternbehindhim.“Realmining’sforthelonghaul,”noddedKarl.Felix was becoming unutterably weary, and felt guilty for it.While the dwarfs had laboured

heroically, he hadn’t done more than stoop and shovel and cart, but after twelve hours of it, hecouldn’tkeephisheadup,andshortlyafterKarlbeganhissecondturn,hehandedoffthebarrowtoThorgigandlaydownonhisbedrollinthedarknessbeyondthelanterns,pillowinghisheadwithhisoldcloak.

He fellasleepalmost instantly,but itwasa troubledslumber.The feelingsofmalignantdreadthathehadfeltuponenteringthemine,andwhichhadneverentirelygoneawaynomatterhowmuchhe had tried to force them down, bloomed in his dreams like night flowers, pale and putrid.Amorphous fears loomed inhisunconscious,pressing inonhimfromall sidesand threatening tosmother him. Insectilewhispering, like the vibration of glassinewings, buzzed vile urgings in hisears.Hefeltasifhewasbeingchaseddownthemine’scrampedpassagesbyanintangibleevilthatwas everywhere and nowhere at once, but getting closer with every step.Whatever it was, it wasgoing tokillhim.Hewasgoing todiehere.Hewouldnever leave thesecursed tunnels.Hewouldneverseethesunagain.Handsthatwerenothandswerereachingoutofthedarknesstoclutchathisthroat.Hecouldfeelhard,coldclawsslippingaroundhisthroat.

Felixsnappedawake,panting.Sweatlikeiceprickledhisbrow.Hesuckedinafewdeepbreathsand looked around, his heart pounding. Flickering lamplight and the monotonous sound of pickstriking rock came from the raggedhole in thewall.Aroundhim, thedwarfswere asleep in their

bedrolls,snoringlikesomanybullfrogscroaking.Helookedonthemwithasuddenloathing.Humanswhohadnevermetdwarfsoftenthoughtof

them as just some breed of short men, but having spent so many years with Gotrek, Felix knewdifferent. Theywere notmen.Theyweren’t even cousins tomen.Theywere another species—astrangeraceofinsularburrowinganimals,withthehoardinginstinctsofpack-rats,andthestubbornintransigenceofmules.HestaredatThorgig,snoringnexttohim.Howhadheeverthoughtofthesemonstersaspeople?Lookat them,with theirflat, furredfaces, theirbluntpaws, theircoarse,clay-texturedhides,theirfat,bulbousnoses—morelikepigsnouts,really.

Strangehowhehadnevernoticeditbefore,butallatoncehecouldn’tstandthesightofthem—anyofthem.Theyrepulsedhim.Everyaspectofthemwasrevolting—andmadealltheworsebythefactthat,unlikeskavenororcsorothermonsters,theyhadsomehowtrickedmenintoacceptingthemasequals,superiorseven!No!Itwasnottobecountenanced.Theywerevile,stuntedmoles,grubbingin the earth, eating dirt and excreting gold, sacrificing his people to their rock-daemon gods,smashingthecitiesofhiskindwhentheyfoundthem,andforcinghimintohislonghibernation.

Heshuddered.Hecouldnolongerstomachtheirpresence.Theirstenchmadehimgag.Hecouldnotallowthemtolive.Iftheirwillscouldnotbebent,thentheymustbedestroyed.Theystoodinthewayofhisrightfuldominationoftheworld.Hedrewhisdaggerandstood,lookingdownatThorgig.Thefoolishanimaldidn’tknowhisdoomwasuponhim.Felixbentandcoveredthedwarfsmouthasheplungedhisbladeintothearteryunderhisjaw—hardtofindthroughthebeast’scursedfur.

Thedwarf struggledbriefly, but then sankback.Felix looked around.Noneof the others hadawakened.Good.HesteppedtoNarin,curledonhisside.Felixcoveredhismouthtoo,anddrovehisdaggerundertheblonddwarfsear.Hetwitchedandfought,butonlyforasecond.

BeyondNarinwasGotrek.Felix’sheartraced.HestoodoverthesleepingSlayer,glaringathim.Hewasevenmorealienthantheothers—amuscle-boundfreakwithskinlikepinkgranite,astiffstripofhairlikethecoxcombofaroosterand,asheknewfromexperience,thestrengthoftenofhiskind.Hereacheddownslowlyandquietly.TheSlayerwastoodangerous.Hewouldhavetokillhimwiththefirstblow,orhewouldberippedtopieces.HecuppedhisfreehandtocoverGotrek’smouth,andangledthetipofhisbladetowardsthehingeofthejaw,ashehadwiththeothertwo.Onequickthrustand…

Gotrek’soneeyesnappedopenandhishandclampedaroundFelix’swristwithblindingspeed.Felix pulled back, trying to break free, but the dwarfs gripwas like iron.He fought to get away,punching and kicking, but the dwarf held on, taking the blows as if theywere snowflakes falling.Gotrekcaughthisotherwrist.

“Manling,”hesaid.“Manling,wakeup.”Felix tried toheadbutt thedwarf.Hecouldn’t reachhim.Hethrashed inGotrek’sunshakeable

grip.He…Wokeup.

CHAPTERSIXTEENFelixblinked,confused.Gotrekwasstillinfrontofhim,holdinghiswrists,butdisorientingly,itwasFelix who lay on his back and the dwarf who stood over him, scowling. Felix’s head spun withvertigo.

“Wavingadaggeraboutinyoursleep,manling,”Gotreksaidasheletgo.“You’lldoyourselfaninjury.”

Do himself an injury? He’d done more than that! He’d… Felix sat up, heart pounding, mindracing.BySigmar,he’dmurderedtwoof…

Thorgig andNarinwereglaring at him from their bedrolls, cross andblearywith sleep.Theotherdwarfswereglaringathimfromtheshadows.

“Don’tsupposeyou’dmindkeepingyournightmarestoyourself?”saidNarinsourly.“We’velittleenoughtimeforsleepasitis,”saidThorgig,andlaybackdown.Adream!Felix’sheartfloodedwithrelief.Ithadonlybeenadream!“Sorry,” hemuttered. “I… Iwas fighting, er… daemons. I’ll try to be quieter about it in the

future.”HelaybackasGotrekreturnedtohisbedroll.Hedidn’twanttotrytoexplaintothemwhathe

hadreallybeendoinginhisdream.Hecouldn’texplainittohimself.Wherehadthosethoughtscomefrom?He had never had a dream so strange, or so real, in all his life.He certainly had plenty ofreasonstobeannoyedwithdwarfs—asurly,unsympatheticlotifevertherewasone,soconvincedoftheirsuperiorityovermenthattheyinsultedhimunthinkinglyeverytimetheyopenedtheirmouths.Butannoyedenoughtotrytokillthem?No.

He tried to rememberwhat itwas thathadfuelledhismurderousanger,butalready thedreamwasfading,becomingunclear.Allthatremainedinfocus—vividfocus—asheclosedhiseyeswasthe feeling of all-consuming fury, and the imageof the tip of his dagger sinking to the hilt underThorgig’sear.

Heshiveredandopenedhiseyes, thensatupandtiedoffhisswordanddaggersoitwouldbedifficulttodrawtheminhissleep.Evenwiththisprecaution,hefounditdifficulttoreturntoslumber,forfearofwhathemightdo.Whennexthewoke,hismindcloudedandheartheavy fromunremembereddreams,Karlwas justfinishinghissecondtwohoursattherockface,havingfollowedArnandRagarbeforehim.Betweenthethreeofthem,theyhaddugfourfeetwhileFelixhadslept,andnowtherewasanargumentgoingonamongstthedwarfsaboutwhoshouldfollowhim.

“We’renotgoingfastenough,”Hamnirwassaying.“Itisnowthemiddleoftheafternoonoftheseventhday.Gorril’sarmywillhaveleftRodenheimtwohoursago,andifallhasgoneasplanned,theyarealmosthalfwayhere.Inthreehourstheywillbewaitingattheadvancepositiontoheartheblowingofthewarhorn,andifGalinreckonsright,westillhavefourfeetofrocktodigthrough.Anothersixhoursofdigging.”

“Letmedigagain,”saidGotrek.“I’mfastest.”“Even youwon’t be fast enough,” saidGalin.He sighed. “I knew itwas impossiblewhenwe

startedit,but…”“Evenifyoudocutthroughintime,”saidHamnirtoGotrek.“Weneedyoufightingfitonthe

otherside,notworntoafare-thee-well.”“Gettingintotheholdismoreimportant,”saidtheSlayer.“I’lldoit.”He tookup twopicks and stalked into the tunnel.The sharp clashof steel on stone startedup

immediately, sounding at an unheard-of pace. Gotrek was out-doing even his earlier stint at theworkface.

Narinshookhishead.“Hewon’tkeepitup.It’simpossible.”Hamnirchuckled.“He’llkeepitupjusttospiteyouforsayingso.”Then therewas nothing to do butwait,while the ceaseless rapid-fire hammering ofGotrek’s

picks battered their ears. And waiting was something that the dwarfs, for all their talk of dwarfpatience,didn’tdoverywell.Perhapsthestrangeoppressiveatmosphere,whichwascloudingFelix’smind, was also having an effect on the dwarfs’ tempers. They were snappish and out of sorts,alternatelyslumpingagainstthewallsofthecorridororfidgetingrestlessly.NarinandGalinpacedmoodilyupanddownthehall,snarlingateachotherastheybumpedshoulders.Leatherbeardtriedtosleep,butonlytossedandturned.EventhebrothersRassmussonwerearguingamongstthemselves,fightingoverthesharingoutofthelastoftheflatbread.

Then,slightlymorethananhourlater,Galinjumpedup,eyeswide.“Didyouhear?”hecried,pointingtothetunnel.Theotherslookedupathimlistlessly.“Hearwhat?”askedHamnir.“Theboom!”saidGalin,excitedly.“TheSlayer ’spicksareboomingastheystriketherock.We

areclose.Veryclose.Withintwofeet.”Hesteppedintothetunnel.Hamnirsprangupandfollowedhimin.Felixandthedwarfscrowdedaroundtheentrance.GalinwasmeasuringthedistancethatGotrekhadcutinthelasthour.“Alittlemorethanafoot,”

hemuttered,scratchinghishead.“Yousaidthereweresixmorefeet,atleast.”“I,er,itappearsIerredonthesideofcaution,”saidGalin.“Out,”saidGotrek.“Givemeroom.”Thedwarfs steppedback.TheSlayerwas runningwith sweat.Hisoneeye seemedglazedand

unseeing, and the perfect control he usually had was slipping. His swings were wild and he wasweavingonhisfeet,buthispaceneverslowed.Itlookedasif,werehetostop,hewouldfall,sohedarednotstop.

“Ifhekeepsupthispace,”saidGalin,“we’llbethroughinanhour.”“Excellentnews!”saidHamnir.“Wewillhavehalfanhour tomakeourway through thehold

andreachthegate.Hardlyenoughtime,butbetterthanfourhourslate.”Afterthat,thewaitingwasevenmoredifficult,forthedwarfscouldn’trelax,knowingtheirgoal

wassoclose.Theypacedandfretted,drawingandthensheathingtheirweaponsoverandoveragain.Theycursedeachotherforbeingimpatient,andcursedGotrekforbeingtooslow.

Then,slightlylessthananhourlater,therewasaclunk,andapleasedsnort,andGotrekcalleddownthetunnel.“I’veholedit.”

The dwarfs pushed into the tunnel asGotrek’s hacking resumed. Therewas a fist-sized blackholehalfwayuptheworkface,whichGotrekwaswideningwitheverystrikeofhisaxe.Thedwarfscheered,andnothingGotrekcouldsaycouldkeepthemoutofthetunnel,watchingoverhisshoulder.

Fifteenminuteslater,theholewasamorethanafootwideandtheycouldseethingsshininginthe darkness through it. Galin stepped forwards. “Wait. Themanwill fit through that. Let him gothroughandworkitfromtheotherside.”

Gotreknoddedandsteppedback.GalinwavedFelixforwardsandheldupalantern.Felixleanedthroughtheholeandlookedaround.Aclutterofhalf-seengoldentreasureswinkedathiminthelightof the flickering flame. The vaultwas a square shaft, about twelve feet to a side,which rose intodarkness above as if it was the bottom of a well. With Galin and Hamnir ’s help, Felix wormed

throughtheholeandloweredhimselfdownuntilhisfeettouched.ThenhetookthelanternandpickthatHamnirpassedthroughtheholeandgottowork.

Witheachswing,hehadnewrespectforthestrengthandenduranceofthedwarfs.Hewaswearyaftertenminutes,andtheyhadgoneforhours.ButevenFelix’sinexperthackingspedthework,andat last, after another fifteenminutes, the holewaswide enough for a dwarf to pass through.Theycheeredandthenclimbedonebyoneintothevault,Felixhelpingthemtothefloor.

Gotrekcamethroughlastandsatdownwearilyonatapestry-coveredcasket,moppinghisbrowand staring blankly in front of him. Felix didn’t know if he had ever seen the Slayer look soexhausted.Hishugearmswereshakingwithfatigue.

The other dwarfs held up their lanterns and looked around in wonder at the treasures in therough-hewnvault.Beautifulsuitsofgoldandgromrilarmourweredisplayedonwoodenstands,withhorned helmets above them, making it appear that ghostly dwarf warriors guarded the vault.Intricatelyworkedcasketsofgoldandsilverwerepiledontopofeachother,nearlyasvaluableasthetreasurestheycontained.Achaliceofgoldandpolishedstonesatonablackmarbleshrine.Agreatstone-headedmaul,inscribedwithrunesonitseveryface,wasmountedonthewall.Anancientgreenbattlestandard,thehornofKarakHirnstitchedintoitingoldthread,wasproppedagainstaCathayvasetwicetheheightofadwarf.Dwarfbookswerestackedinthecorners,androlledvellummapsweretuckedintogoldandsilvertubes.

Butthethingthatdrewthedwarfs’attentionlikeaflytohoneywasavelvet-linedsilverboxthatsatopenonatable,thecontentsofwhichshonewitharedorangeglowinthelanternlight.

“Bloodgold,”whisperedNarin,lickinghislips.“Lookatitshine,”murmuredGalin.“Neverseensomuchinoneplace,”saidKarl.Itdidn’tlooklikealottoFelix.Therewereonlytwentyingotsinthebox,andtheylookedabout

half-weight,buttheyhadahypnoticeffectonthedwarfs.Theycouldn’ttaketheireyesoffthem.“Beautiful,”saidLeatherbeard.“Worthkillingfor.”“Aye,”saidArn.“Redasblood.”“Upthestairs!”saidHamnir,slammingtheboxclosed.“Youshouldnotbelookinguponanyof

this.Wehavelessthanhalfanhour.Gorrilisalreadyinposition.”Thedwarfsblinkedandcamereluctantlybackto themselves.Felix lookedupthedarkshaft.A

rough staircasewound up it inside a dwarf-wide channel carved diagonally into thewalls like thethreadsofascrew.Moreclimbing.Wonderful.

Astheotherscrossedtothestairs,Gotrekleveredhimselftohisfeetwiththehelpofhisaxeandstumpedafterthem.Thesweatstillboiledfromhisskin.

Hamnir paused, looking back at the hole in thewallwith profound unhappiness. “Leaving anunguardeddoortomyfather ’svault.Perhapswecouldblockit…”Hecursedandforcedhimselfupthestairsaftertheothers.“Thereisnotime.”

Felix followed thedwarfsup,pressingasclose to thewallof thenarrowchannelashecould.The steps were well cut and true, as was to be expected from any dwarf work, but there was norailing, and as they rose eight, and then ten flights, Felix’s knees began to feelweak and his gutswatery.Therewerenoropesandpitonshere,andthedwarfswouldhaveribbedhimunmercifullyifhehaddecidedtocrawluponhishandsandknees,oraskedforarope“inastairwellofallplaces”sohekepthisterrortohimself.

Seven rotations later, the stair ended at a small landing with no apparent door, only a fat,polishedmarblepillarsetincongruouslyinoneroughwall.Abrassleverandsomethingthatlookedlikethelensofaspyglasswereplacedatdwarfheightbesideit.Hamnirsteppedtothelensandlooked

intoit.Hefroze,andthensteppedback,turningfirstpale,andthenredwithrage.“Therearegrobiinmyfather ’squarters.Theyhavedefiled…everything.”“Canwegetthroughthedoorwithoutbeingseen?”askedNarin.Hamnir nodded. “They are not in the sleeping chamber, but I can see them moving in the

receivingchamberbeyond.”Heputhishandonthelever.“Thorgig,whenIopenthisdoor,creeptothefurtherdoorandspyouthowmanythereare.Wewillhavetotakethemsilently.”

Thorgigcockedandloadedhiscrossbow.“Ready,”hesaid.Theothersdrewdaggersandhand-axes.Hamnir pulled the lever and the fat column screwed down into the floor without a sound,

revealingadarkbedchamberthatreekedlikeagarbageheapbuiltoveramiddens.Thedwarfswincedandchoked.Pilesofrottingfoodandsmashedfurniture,brokenweapons,squigcarcasses,shatteredcrockeryandemptyhogsheadsofbeerwereheapedwaistdeep—shoulderdeepfor thedwarfs—aroundtheroom.KingAlrik’sgrandcanopiedbedwasburiedsodeeplythatonlythefourpostsroseupoutofthemuck.Alltheotherfurnishingshadbeenslashedandsmashed.

Thedwarfstrembledwithragewhentheysawthewreckage.“Greensavages!”mutteredGalin.“Theywillpayforthis,”saidThorgig.“Quiet,”saidHamnir,andmotionedhimintotheroom.Thorgigpickedhiswaythroughtheheapsassilentlyashecould.Soundsofindustrycamefrom

thefurtherroom,slappingsandhangingsandsloshingsthatFelixcouldn’t identify.Andwherewasthereekofexcrementcomingfrom?

Thorgig edged to the side of the receiving chamber door and leaned out. Felix saw his eyeswidenashepeeredthroughit.HeeasedbackandreturnedtoHamnir.

“They’vemadeitintoatannery!”hewhispered.“A…awhat?”askedHamnir.“A tannery!”Thorgig choked, overcome. “There’s a bigvat of…of liquidwastewhereKing

Alrik’s tablewas.Goblinsaredunkingskinsandbeatingthem,andstitchingthemtogetherallovertheroom.”

“Howmanygoblins?”askedGotrek.Thorgigfrowned.“Er,six,andtwoorcsaresquattingoverthevat,withonebehind,waitinghis

turn.”“Thedoortothecorridorisclosed?”askedHamnir.“Aye,butnotlocked.”Hamnir thought. “We’ll wait until the orcs have left, and then kill the goblins, as quietly as

possible.”Helookedaroundattheothers.“Makesurewetaketheminonego,aye?”Theynodded.HamnirturnedtoGotrek.“You’renotinthis,”hesaid.“Tryandstopme,”saidGotrek.Hewasstillslickwithsweatandbreathingheavily.“I’morderingyou,”saidHamnir.“SaveyourselffortheHornGate.”Gotrekgrumbled,butnodded.Thedwarfssteppedintothebedchamberandbegantopicktheirwaywarilyaroundthemounds

of rubbish. Gotrek and Felix came last. When all were through the door, Hamnir turned to adecorativereliefborderbythecolumnandpressedabitoffiligree.Thefatcolumnroseupagainassilentlyasithaddropped.Itlookedasifithadnevermoved.

Thedwarfscrossedtheroomandpositionedthemselvesattheedgesofthesquareoflightthat

shonethroughthereceivingchamberdoor.ThescenewasasThorgighaddescribedit.Therewasafour-foothighwoodenvatinthecentreoftheroom,filledwithsemi-liquidorcfilth.Asetofwoodenstepsleduptoatwo-holedouthousebenchthatwasbuiltoutoverthevat.Anorcwasjustpullinguphisbreechesandstartingbackdownthesteps.

Agoblin stoodon the rim, stirring thevile soupwith awoodenpaddle andpushingun-curedhidesdownintoit.Toonesideof thevat,dryingframeshadbeensetup.Treatedskinswerebeingstretchedinthem.Somehaddwarftattoos.Goblinsusedwoodenmaulstobeatskinsonsquareblocksof stone. Another cut them with a hooked knife. Two sat cross-legged on regal dwarf furniture,stitchingthecutskinsintowhatlookedlikeleathercuirasses.Theroomwasashambles,litteredwithhalf-eatenhamhocks,andblackwithfilth.

Hamnirtrembled.“Thisisatravesty,”hesaidunderhisbreath.“Myfatherwould…”Hetwitchedandfellsilent.

Theorc exited through thedoor to the corridor.Thegoblins didn’t lookup from their tasks.Theywereasfocusedandunblinkingasclerksattheirledgers.

Hamnir raised his hand. The others gripped their weapons, ready. He dropped his hand. Thedwarfschargedthroughthedoor.Felixfollowedthem.OnlyGotrekwaitedbehind.

Fourgoblinsdiedon the instant, cutdownbefore they couldmake a sound.Theonewith thehookedknifesquawkedasLeatherbeardrantowardsit,anddartedintowhatmightoncehavebeenadiningchamber.Leatherbeardchargedinafterit.Felixcutatthegoblinwiththepaddle,butitdivedbehindthevat.Asidefromthefirstsurprisedsquawk,thelasttwogoblinsutterednotasound.Theywereasblankandemotionlessasalltheothergrobitheyhadencountered.

“Getthem!”hissedHamnir.Narin and Galin swung at the paddle goblin, but it dodged between them and they nearly

decapitatedeachother.Karl,RagarandArnscrambledafteritasitduckedbehindthedryingframes.Ragar slippedonawet skinand fellonhisposterior.The framesclattereddown.Ahollowsmashcamefromthediningchamber.

“Grimnir ’smother!”snappedHamnir.“Quietly!”Thepaddlegoblinleaptfromthetangleofframesandclimbedtothelipofthevatthensprangto

thechandelierthathungaboveit,flailingitsabsurdweaponaroundatthedwarfswhotriedtoreachhim.

“Ihavehim,”saidFelix,andranupthewoodensteps,swinginghissword.Thegoblintwistedout of the way and smacked Felix on the shoulder with the paddle. Felix overbalanced, nearlyplunging into the vat. He caught himself, heart thumping. That would have been the crown to hisregaliaofindignities.

Acrossbowboltappearedinthegoblin’schest.Itsqueakedandfell,halfin,halfoutofthevat,drenchingFelix’slegsinashowerofvileliquid,asthechandelierpendulumedwildlybackandforth.

“Littlevillain!”Felixbarked,andslasheddownatthethingasitflailedonthelip.Hecutitsheadoff and its body toppled down to the floor from the strength of the blow. Its head bobbed for amomentinthevatlikearottenapple,andthensank.

“Shhh!”saidGalin.Hestoodatthecorridordoor.“Someone’scoming.Soundslikeapatrol.”The dwarfs froze, all but Leatherbeard, who was still chasing his goblin around the dining

chambertable.Thetrampofmarchingfeetcameclearlythroughthestonewalls.“Thorgig, help him!” whispered Hamnir. “Karl, Ragar, Arn, hide the bodies, and then

yourselves.Galin,Narin,coverthebloodstains.Jaeger…”ThelastgoblinranoutofthediningchamberasthedwarfsscrambledtoobeyHamnir ’sorders.

Leather-bearddivedafterthefleeingruntandsmashedittothefloorwithhisaxe.

“Getitout!”hissedHamnir,wavinghishand.“Therearemorecoming.”The marching feet stopped outside the door. Leatherbeard dragged his goblin back into the

diningchamberastheRassmussonbrotherstossedtheotherstoGotrek,whostackedthemupinsidethebedroomdoor.NarinandGalinthrewlooseskinsontopofthevariousbloodstainsthatspatteredthefloor.Felixhoppeddownthestairsandranforthebedroomdoor,butHamnirpokedhisheadoutofanalcoveandpointed.

“Jaeger!Thechandelier!”Felixturned.Thedamnedthingwasstillswinging.Hecursedandjumpedbackupthevatsteps.

The dwarfs were disappearing through doors and ducking behind furniture. Felix reached up andsteadiedthechandelier.Thehandleofthecorridordoorwasturning.Hecursed.Therewasnotimetoreachanyofthedoorways.Hewastrappedintheopen.

CHAPTERSEVENTEENThecorridordoorbegantoswingopen.Felixjumpedoffthewoodenstepsandrolledunderthem,folding his lanky frame into the tight space. His back was against the vat. A crossbeam pressedpainfullyacrosshisshins.Hisbreechesclungtohimwetly.Theystank.

Throughtheopentreadsofthesteps,Felixwatchedtheknobbygreenkneesofanenormousorcinastuddedleathertunicandheavybootsentertheroomandapproachthevat.Acompanyoforcsatparadereststoodoutsidethedoorbehindit.

“Ohno,”hemurmured.TheheavybootscreakedupthecomplainingstepsandstoppeddirectlyoverFelix’shead.Felix

heldhisbreath.Ifhemovedamuscletheorcwouldhearhim.There was a moment of rustling above him, and then a deep, contented sigh as something

plopped wetly into the vat. Felix prayed it would all be over soon, but the orc must have eatenmightily, for the plopping and splashing seemed never-ending. After one particularly violentdischarge,asplatterofdrops rattled theboardsoverFelix’shead.Abeadofstinkingbrown liquidformedunderoneplankandhungthere,directlyoverhisface.

Felixlookedupatitinhorror.Hedaren’tmove.Theslightestmotionwouldalerttheorc.Theorcgruntedandshifted.Thedropfell.Felixshuthiseyes.Itsplashedonhisrighteye-lid,

thenslidslowlydown.Felixtensed,fightingbackascream.Thestuffburnedlikevinegar.Hewantedtothrashandkick.

Theorcstood,givingFelixaviewofpartsof itsanatomyhecouldhavedonewithoutseeing,then pulled up its breeches and started down the steps. Halfway down, it paused and jabbered aquestion.Itsvoicehadastrange,clutteringedgetoit,nottheusualorcgrunt.

Felixgroaned.Ithadfinallynoticedthatthegoblinsweren’tthere.Thiswastheend.Theyweregoingtohavetofightthewholecompany,andthenthewholehold.ItwasBirrisson’sdooralloveragain.FelixrolledhissmartingeyestothesideandsawGotrekandtheRassmussonbrothersintheshadowsofthesleepingchamber,readyingtheirweapons.

Theorcchattereditsquestionagain,andthensteppedtothedoorandspoketoitscaptain.Thecaptainstuckitsheadin,andtheorcindicatedtheroomwithasweepofitshand.

Thecaptainfrownedaroundforalongmoment, thenshruggedandtoldtheorctogetbackinline.Itsvoicetoowassharpandstaccato.Theorcexited,shuttingthedoorbehindit.

Achorusofdwarfsighscamefromallovertheroom.Theysteppedoutfrombehinddoorwaysandfurniture,lookingrelieved.

NaringrinnedasFelixsqueezedoutfromunderthesteps.“It’snotoftenamangetsaviewlikethatandlives.”

“It’snotoftenamangetsaviewlikethatandwantstolive,”saidFelix.Hewipedhiseyelidandlooked around for something to dry his breecheswith. “And I got another sort of eyeful aswell.Burnslikefire.”

“Nowthat’sahero’sbrandifevertherewasone,”laughedGalin.“Youfinditfunny?”askedGotrek,steppingfromthebedchamber.“Iwonderifyoucouldhave

stoodit.”“Isitahero’sparttostandthings?”askedGalin.“Iwouldhavejumpedupandkilleditbeforethe

dropfell.”“And doomed us all,” saidHamnir dryly. “Very heroic.”He turned to the door. “Now, hurry,

beforeanymorecometofillthevat.”Heputhiseartothepanelsastheothersgatheredbehindhim.

“Wegoleft,”hesaid,“andthenup.TheHornGateisonlythreehundredyardsdueeast,butthisisthelevelofthegreathalls.Itwillbetoopopulated.Twolevelsuparegrainstores.Wewilltraversethelengthoftheholdthere,andreturndownafurtherstairwellnearerthegate.Ready?”

Thedwarfsnodded,facessetandgrimbehindtheirbeards.Hamnirlistenedagain,thenslowlypulledopenthedoorandpeeredout.Thetorch-litcorridor

echoedwithsoundsofdistantmovement,butnothingnearby.Hamnirturnedleftandslippedquietlydownthehall.Thedwarfsfollowedbehindhiminasingle

file,Felixloomingatthebackoftheline,feelingclumsyandclammyinhismoistbreeches.DespitewhatGotrekandHamnirhadsaid,itwashardtofeelheroicwhenyouweredampwithorc-crap.

Thestairwell to theupper levelswasn’tmore than twentyyardsalong thehall,but theyhad topauseandhidethreetimestoletorcpatrolsandworkdetailsmarchpast.Througheverydoortheypassed, theysawgoblinsandorcsbusyat their labours,cuttingandshapingwood,buildingtorturedevicesandtrebuchets,slaughteringandskinninganimals,makingfood,weaving.

“Weaving?”whisperedGalin,nonplussed.“Grobidon’tweave!”“Placeismorelikeabeehivethananorcnest,”mutteredGotrek.“Andwhatailstheirvoices?”saidNarin.“Chitteringandgibberinglike…like—”“Monkeys?”suggestedThorgig.“Mutants,Iwasgoingtosay,”saidNarin.Hamnir paused at the stairwell and looked inwarily, thenwaved them up. They climbed two

levelsandsteppedout intoabroad,unlitcorridor.Thedwarfsunshielded their lanternsandstarteddownitslength.Theairwasfilledwiththedusty,mustysmellofrottingwheat.

Hamnirsniffed,frowning.“Havetheyleftasiloopento thedamp?Wehaven’tmuchwheat tosparethisyear.”

Hugedoors linedbothsidesof thehallwayforasfaras theycouldsee in the lamplight.Theywereallopen.

Hamnirlookedintothefirstoneontheright.Theroominsidewassmallandstackedalongitsleftwallwithbarrelsandemptycanvassacks.Anironbounddoor,likeafurnacedoorwithatroughbeneath it,wasset in thebackwall.The troughwasbarelyvisible,however,because the irondoorwasopen,andpouringfromitlikeasanddunewasaspillofgoldengrain.Thesweetreekofmouldgrewstronger,andblackshadowscrawledoverthemound—rats,dozensofthem.

“Valaya curse them,” sneered Hamnir. “For all their chittering and weaving, they are stillcarelesssavages.”

He looked in thedoor to the left.That silowasopenaswell, and thewheat spilledacross theflooralmosttothedoor.Moreratscrawledoverthebounty.

Hamnirshivered.“Twospoiled?Itwillbealeanwinter.It…”Helookedupthehallwithslowlydawninghorror,thenhurriedahead.

Theothersfollowedquickly.Hamnirlookedinthesecondpairofdoors.Bothroomswerethesameasthefirst—theirondoorsopenandmoundsofrottinggrainalivewithrats.Hamnirchokedandspedtothenextdoors.Thosesilostoohadbeenopened,ashadthenextset.

Hamnirslumpedagainstthewall,coveringhisfacewithhishands.“Grimnir,”hesaid,choking.“They’vekilledus.Evenifweretakethefortanddrivethemout,theyhavewon.Wewillstarve.Nobread.Nobeer.Theholdwon’tlastthewinter.Aretheymad?Whyhavetheydonethis?It’ssuicideforthemtoo.”

“Something’scoming,”saidLeatherbeard.The dwarfs covered their lanterns and stepped into the grain room. They peered through the

door.A glow of torchlight and looming ugly shadows emerged from around a corner, far ahead.

Thenastrangeprocessionappeared—twobigorcspushedaminecart,whileaheadofthemscurriedadozengoblins,allarmedwithbarbedspearsandsacks.Thegoblinsranintothesilorooms,fromwhichcamesoundsofstrugglingandsqueaking.Thentheyreappeared,ratsimpaledontheirspears.Theystuffedtheseintheirsacks,andcarriedontothenextrooms.

When they came out again, one goblin’s sack was full. He emptied it in the mine cart, thenfollowedhissnaggle-fangedbrethrenfurtherdownthehall.

Hamnir stared openmouthed, butNarin stifled a snort. “They use the grain to farm rats!” hewhispered.“Brilliant!”

“Thefools!”saidHamnirshakinghishead.“Themeat-brainedidiots.”“They’llbecominginhere,prince,”saidThorgiglookingattheratsswarmingthegrainattheir

feet.“Right,”saidHamnir.Heglancedaround.Barrelswerestackedalongonewall.“Behindthose.

Quick.”Thedwarfswadedthroughthespillofwheatandedgedbehindthebarrels.“Hidingfromgoblinsagain,”mutteredLeatherbeard,disgusted,butheheldhisbreathwiththe

others when three goblins ran into the room, stabbing at the rats with their little spears. The ratssquealedandranfor thecorners.Thegoblinsdidn’tbother tochaseveryfar.Thereweresomanyverminthattheyhadeachspittedthreeorfourwithoutmucheffort.Theystuffedthemintheirsacksandranoutagain.

Thedwarfsremainedwheretheywere,listeningastherumbleofcartwheelsgrewlouder,andthendiminishedintothedistance.Whentheratharvestersweresafelypast,Hamnirsteppedout.“Wemusthurry.Theymaycomeback.Lampsclosed.”

Thedwarfscrossedtothedoorandlookedouttotheleft.Theorcsandgoblinswerefiftyyardsdown the corridor.The dwarfs eased out and continued to the right,Hamnir cursing anew as theypassedeachnewruinedsilo.

Thecorridorturnedrightatitsend,openingintoastairwellthatwentbothupanddown.Hamnirturnedtotheothers.“Wewillbeveryclosetothemaincorridorwhenwedescend.Be

careful.”He led them cautiously down the stairs and they exited two levels down into a shadowy side

passage.Theglowoflampsfromthemaincorridor,thirtyfeettotheirright,glintedonthebladesoftheiraxes,andtheyheardharsh,gibberingvoices.Thetrampofheavyfeetonthetrotechoedtothemaswell.Alargecompanyoforcsarmedwithdwarflong-gunsranpastfromrighttoleft.

Whentheyhadpassed,HamnirtappedThorgigontheshoulderandmotionedhimforwards.Theyoungdwarfpaddedtothemaincorridorandleanedouttolookbothways.Heduckedbacksuddenlyandflattenedhimselfagainstthewallasmorebootsechoedfromthehallandasecondorccompanyfollowedthefirst.Theywerearmedwithbowsandaxes.Thorgiglookedafterthemastheycontinueddownthehall,andthenreturnedtoHamnirandtheothers.

“Thefirstgroupwentintotheguardroom.Thesecondintothepassagetothesallyport.”Hamnirnodded.“GunnersfortheturretsandscoutstoharassGorril’slineofmarch:hemustbe

inposition.Good.”“Doesn’tsoundsogoodtome,”saidGalinscowling.“Iftheorcsarepositioninggunnersinthe

turrets,yourarmywillbeshottopiecesastheycomein.”Hamnir nodded. “This iswhyGorrilmust be able to run straight inwhen he arrives, so our

brothers won’t have to weather more than one salvo while waiting for us to open the gate. Thedifficultyis,ifwearetoopenthedoors,wewillhavetokeeptheorcsintheturretsfrom…Wait.”Hefrownedandlookedaround.Therewasanemptyroomjustbehindthem.“Come,”hesaid.“Iwilllay

itoutforyou.Thereisalottotellandnotmuchtime.”Heledtheothersintothebare,dust-thickroom,andsquatteddown.Theothershunkeredaround

him.“Here it is,” he said, sketching in the dustwith a thick finger. “TheHornGate is approached

throughanarrow, steep-walledcanyon.Ourancestorsbuilt eight turrets into thosewalls, four toaside,sothatanyforcethat triestoknockdownthestonedoorcanberiddledwithcrossfireastheycome.Twenty feet behind the first door, there is a second,withmurder rooms above and on bothsides,sothatourdefenderscanpourboilingoilupon,andshootcrossbowsat,anyattackersthatgetthroughthefirstdoor,whiletheyaretryingtobreakdownthesecond.”Thecanyon,turretsanddoorstookshapewithafewdeftstrokesofHamnir ’sfinger.Thenhebegandrawingtheroomsbehindthegates.“Therearetwoguardroomstotherightandleftofthemaincorridor,justbehindthegate.Adoorineachguardroomleadstotheturretsandmurderroomsabove.Oncebothofthosedoorsarelocked,theorcsintheturretsandmurderroomscannotgetbackintotheguardroom.”

“Unlesstheybashdownthedoors,”saidNarin.“Er,yes,”saidHamnir,andcontinued.“Thetworoomsthathousethegateleversarealsoinside

the guardrooms. The levers in the roomsmust be pulled simultaneously in order for the gates toopen.Therearetwosuchlevers ineachroom:onefor theoutergate,onefor theinner.Thereisaspeaking tube between the two rooms so those who pull the levers may act as one, as well as acunningspyglassthatshowsthecanyonoutsidethedoor.AmIclear?”

Thedwarfsnodded.Felixwouldhavelikedtohearitallagain,butdidn’tcaretoask.“Notaswellthought-outasthegatesofKarakVarn,”saidGalin,sniffing,“butstoutnonetheless.

Agoodsystem.”“I’mgladitmeetswithyourapproval,”saidHamnirdryly.Heturnedbacktothemap.“Hereis

whatwemustdo.Wemustattackbothguardroomsatonce,subduewhatguardswefindthereandlockthedoors to themurder roomsand turretswithoutalerting the restof thehold.When this isdone,Thorgig…”Hepausedandlookedattheyoungdwarfwithamixtureofsadnessandanger.“Thorgighasvolunteered togoup into the first turretandblow thebattlehorn to letGorrilknowweare inposition.”

“But…buttheturretsarefilledwithorcs,”saidNarin.“He’llbekilled.”“Aye,” saidHamnir, eyes downcast, “precisely”He pounded his leg. “Curse you, lad.Do you

trulywish to throwyour lifeaway?Leatherbeard isaSlayer,as isGotrek.Theyare looking foranobledeath.He—”

“Mustwearguethisagain?”askedThorgig,interrupting.“IhavebeenaguardoftheHornGatefortenyears.Itwasmydutytoblowthehornthen.Itismydutynow.”

“But—”“Prince,please,”saidThorgig.“Theydon’tknowhowtoblowthehorn.”“Er,”saidLeatherbeard.“I…Icouldtry.”ThorgigglaredatHamnirdefiantly.“Yousee.Itmustbeme.Noothercanbesuretobeheard.”Hamnirsighed.“Soitseems.”“So,”saidGotrek.“Thorgigblowsthehorn,weopenthegates,Gorrilrunsinwiththearmy,and

thedayissaved.Isthatit?”“Well,itwillbeabitmoredifficultthanthat,”saidHamnir.Felixsighed.Whyweren’tthingsevereasierthanoneexpected?“Goon,”saidGotrek.“Itisfifteenminutes’marchfromGorril’sadvanceposition,”saidHamnir.“Wecannotopenthe

gatesuntilweseehimenterthecanyon,otherwisetheorcswillformupinfrontofthegateandblock

theirentrance.Wewillhavetoholdtheguardroomsforthosefifteenminutestopreventtheorcsfromretakingthemandstoppingusfrompullingthelevers.Thiswillbeeasyiftherestoftheholdisnotalerted,butthegrobiwillmostlikelyhearThorgig’shornandcomerunning,inwhichcase…”

GotrekandLeatherbeardgrinned.“Inwhichcasewe’llhaveanicescraponourhands,”saidGotrek.“Aye,”saidHamnir.Helookedmuchlesseagerattheprospect.Heduginhispouchandtookout

akeyring,whichheopenedwitha twist,andthenthreadedofffourkeys.“Wewilldivideintotwogroups.Onewilltaketheguardroomontheleft,theother,theoneontheright.Threeineachgroupwillkilltheoccupantswhiletheothertwoholdclosedthedoorstothemurderroomstairsuntilwecanlockthem.”Helookedaroundatthem.“Gotrek,Jaeger,Narin,KarlandRagar,youwilltaketheleftroom.Whowillbeinchargeofthekeys?”

“Iwill,”saidNarin.“Andwhichtwowillholdthedoorwhiletheothersfight?”“I’llfight,”saidGotrek,“andsowillthemanling.”“Wewanttofight!”saidKarl.“Aye,”saidRagar.“LettheSlayerbeadoorstop!He’sstilltiredfromdigging!”“Youwanttotryme?”growledGotrek.“Keepyourvoicesdown!”hissedHamnir.GotrekgaveRagarandKarlaflatlook.“There’llbeenoughfightingforallofuswhentheday

isdone.You’llgetmorethanyoucarefor,I’llwager.”Thebrothersglaredbackathim,andthenshrugged.Hamnir handedNarin twokeys. “The onewith the square loop is for the door to themurder

roomsandturrets.Theonewiththeroundloopisfortheleverroom.”“Square,murder.Round,lever,”saidNarin.“Understood.”Hetuckedtheminhispouch.Hamnir turned to the remainingdwarfs.“Iwillhold thekeys forourside.GalinandThorgig

willholdthemurderroomdoor.Areweclear?”Theothersnodded.“Good.” Hamnir stood. “Now, it is past time. Only remember that we must hold the two

guardroomsagainstallcomersuntilGorril’sforcearrives,nomatterwhatthecost.”Hesteppedtothedoor.“Let’sgo.”

Felix followed the dwarfs as they crept down the side passage towards themain corridor.Heswallowed,tryingtokeephisstomachwhereitbelonged.Itallsoundedverynobleandepic,butnotparticularlysurvivable.

EveniftheymanagedtoholdoutuntilGorril’sforcearrived,thatwasonlythebeginningofthefighting.Theystillhadthewholeforttosubdueafterthat.FelixhadavisionofGotrekaloneinaseaoforcs,withallhiscompanionsdeadaroundhim, includingFelix. Itwashard topush it fromhismind.

Ten feet from the main corridor, they stopped as they heard footsteps and jabbering voicesapproachingfromthedirectionofthegate.Theyshrankbackintotheshadows,onguard.Amassiveorc,thebiggestFelixhadeverseen,strodepast,chitteringorderstoatrailingwakeoflieutenantsandgoblinhangers-oninasharp,sibilantvoicecompletelyatoddswithitssize,butitsvoicewastheleaststrangethingaboutit.

Itseyeswereglitteringblackorbs,anditshidepaleandwaxy,asifithadbeensmearedintallow.Irregularwhite lumpsrosefromitsskullandforearms,as if tumoursweregrowingunder itsskinandpushingtheirwayout,andhestank,notlikeanorc,butsourandcloying,likeweek-oldmilk.Itwore thestrange,spider-shellarmour that thedwarfshadseentheorcsforgingin themines,black

andglossyandbaroquewithridgesandspines.Acuriouslyshapedgoldentorquetwistedsnuglyaroundhismassive,palegreenneck,afaceted

blackgemglittering from it likea thirdeye.Ahand thesizeofaprizepumpkingrippedanoddlyshapedwaraxe,biggerthananyorccleaver,butmadewithalmostdwarfskill.Mostunsettlingofall,though,wasthefactthat,despitehiswarlikeappearance,hissavagetuskedfacewasasslackanddullasasleepwalker ’s.

Thedwarfsstaredasthisbizarreapparitioncontinueddownthehall,theirnoseswrinklingathisawfulodour.

“What’sthatwhenit’sathome?”whisperedRagar.“He’sthebossorI’mahalfling,”saidArn.“Butwhat’shappenedtoit?”askedKarl.“Itlooked…itsmelled…unhealthy.”“More proof that there’s something amiss,” said Hamnir, hushed. “The new traps in Bird’s

hangar, themining, theweaving, theunorcish jabbering, thisstrange, ridgedarmour: it’snot right,anyofit.”

Gotreknodded, staringathisaxe.The runesupon itsheadwereglowingagain.“Something’samissallright.”Hefrownedafterthehugeorcasitdisappearedintothedepthsofthehold,andthenshrugged.“Comeon.”

Hamnirnodded.Thecorridorwascleartothegate.“Right,”hesaid.“Boltsonthestringsandinatarun.Givethemnotimetoreact.Go.”

CHAPTEREIGHTEENThedwarfs ranout, splitting into their twogroups,and raced for theguardrooms.ThehugestoneslabthatwastheHornGate’sinnerdoorloomedattheendofthewidehallwaylikeamonolith,solidrockwithoutcrackorhinge.Twoopendoorsweresetintothecorridorwallsjustinsideit.Torchlightshonefromthem.

The dwarfs had traversed slightlymore than half the distancewhen an orc stepped out of theright-hand guardroom on his way to the left. It turned as it sawmotion in the corner of its eye.ThorgigandNarinfiredtheircrossbows.Theorcdroppedwithathud,onequarrelinitsthroat,theotherinitschest.

Questioninggruntscamefromtheguardrooms.Thedwarfssprintedforthem,Gotrekintheleadontheleft,Leatherbeardontheright.

Orcheadspoppedoutof theguardroomdoors justas thedwarfsreachedthem.Gotrekburiedhis axe in the left orc’s forehead and drove it backwards into the room with his shoulder.Leatherbearddidthesameontheright,andthedwarfspiledinafterthem.

AsingleorcjumpedupfromatableinthecentreoftheleftguardroomasFelixranin,tryingtodraw its weapon as Gotrek leapt at it. The Slayer cut its head off before its cleaver cleared itsscabbard.KarlandRagarranpastandclosedthedoortothemurderroomsandturrets.Theyputtheirshoulderstoit.

Gotreklookedaroundindisgust.Therewasarackoflong-gunsononewall,anenormousbrassalarmgongonanother,andaseconddooronthesamewallasthedoortheRassmussonsheld,butnootherorcsintheroom.“Where’smyfight?”heasked.

Aclashofarmsrangfromtheotherroom.“Ha!”Gotrekbrightenedandhurriedforthedoor.“Stayhereandgetthedoorlocked.”“Aye,Slayer,”saidKarl,sneering.“Goon.”“We’lljuststayhereandletyouhaveallthefun,”addedRagarasNarinsteppedtothem,fishing

Hamnir ’skeysfromhispouch.Felix followedGotrek across the hall. The right-hand guardroomwas amirror image of the

other,completewithgunrackandgong.Fourorcslaydeadonthefloor,andHamnir,LeatherbeardandArnwerebusywithanothersixwhileThorgigandGalinheldthedoortothemurderroomsandturretsclosed.Theylookedasifthey’dratherbefighting.

“Muchbetter,”saidGotrek.Hewadedin,killingtwoorcsinstantly,asLeatherbeardandHamnirdroppedoneeach.

TheorcfacingArn,seeingitsbrothersfall,leaptforthealarmgong.Arnswungafteritandmissed.“Watchhim!He’s—”Felixdivedattheorcandcaughtitbytheankle,trippingitontoitsface,inchesfromthegong.

Gotrekspunandburiedhisaxeinitsback.“Ha!”Gotrekbarked.The last orc stumbled back from Leatherbeard, its guts spilling from its belly. Before any

recognisedthedanger,ittrippedoveritsfallencomradeandpitched,helmet-first,intothegong,dead.Adeafeningmusical crash rang out, shivering the roomwith its vibrations. Felix clapped his

handsoverhisears.Gotrekjumpedtothegongandpincheditquiet.“That’stornit,”saidArn.Gibberingorcishvoicesrose in themurderroomabove,andboots thundereddownthestairs.

ThorgigandGalinbracedtheirshouldersagainstthedoor.

“Quick!”saidHamnir,pointing.Thetwodwarfsskiddedbackasorcsslammedintothedoorfromtheotherside.Hamnirpulledouthiskeys,hurryingtowardsthem.“Holdfast!”Gotrek and Leatherbeard added their weight to the door and pushed it closed again. Hamnir

stabbedthekeywiththesquareloopintothelockandtwistedit.Itdidn’tturn.Hepaled.“HaveIgotitbackwards?”“Hurry,blastyou!”saidGalinasthedoorbumpedandjumpedunderhisshoulder.Hamnirstucktheotherkeyinthelock,butjustthenNarinraninholdingablackironkeyringin

onehandandtwoironkeysintheother.“They’vechangedthelocks,”hesaid,andthrewtheringtoHamnir.“Trythese.Ifoundmine.”Hamnircaught the ring,groaning.Therewereat leastadozenkeyson it.Hestuckone in the

lock. Itdidn’t turn.He tried thenext.Thatdidn’t turneither.Thedoorbumpedandslammedas thedwarfsfoughttoholditclosed.

“Orcsdon’tmakekeys,”mutteredGalin.Ragar stuck his head in from the hall. “They’ve heard in the hold!” He shouted. “They’re

coming!”“Howmany?”calledHamnir.“Thewholedamnedhorde,itlookslike!”saidKarloverhisbrother ’sshoulder.“Hundredyardsaway!”calledRagar.Hamnir turned to Thorgig as he tried another key.His eyeswere grim and sad. “It’s now or

never,lad.Uptheotherstairsbeforetheythinktotrytocomedownbehindus.”“But they’re alerted now,” saidNarin. “He’ll be cut downbefore he has a chance to blow the

horn.”“Nohewon’t,”saidLeatherbeard,steppingbackfromthedoor.“Rassmusson,takemyplace.I’ll

givehimtime.”His eyes glowed through the holes in his mask, with the eager anticipation of battle against

impossible odds Felix had seen so often before in the eyes of Gotrek, Snorri Nosebiter,MalakaiMakaissonandtheotherSlayershehadknown.

Hamnirclenchedhisjaw.Hisbeardbristled.“Right.Go.”“Yes,myprince,”saidThorgig.Arnputhisshoulder to thedoorasThorgigandLeatherbeardsalutedHamnir, fistsover their

hearts, and then ranacross thehallwithNarin to theotherguardroom.Thorgigunhooked thewarhornofKarakHirnfromhisbelt.

“Damntheworld,”saidHamnir.Hejabbedthenextkeyintothelock.Ittoofailedtoturn.“Seventyyards!”Ragarchimedfromthedoor.Felixcouldheartheorcsnow—arumblelikeadistantavalanche.Hewatchedacrossthehall

intotheotherguardroomasNarinunlockedthedoortotheleft-handmurderroomsandturrets,andthrewitopen.Leatherbeardchargedupinstantly.Thorgighesitatedthemerestfractionofasecond,thenranafterhim,thewarhornclenchedinonehand.Narinslammedthedoorandlockeditbehindthem.

Therewasamutedshoutfromtheorcsintheroomabove,andthenthecrisptantaraofthehorn,blowingadwarfrallycall.FelixheardaroarfromLeather-beardandtheclashofaxeoncleaver.Thehornblewitsrallyagainandagain,accompaniedbymuffledgruntsandclangs.

Hamnirfoundtherightkeyatlastandturnedit, justasThorgig’shornsquawkedabruptlyandthencutoff.

“Damntheworld,”Hamnirsaidagain.Heloweredhisheaduntilhisbrowtouchedthedoor.“Ionlyhopetheyheard,”saidGalin,steppingbackwithGotrekandArn.“Forty yards!” Ragar shouted from the hall. The sound of boots was so loud that it almost

drownedhimout.The orcs on the other side of themurder room door started battering it with their weapons.

Hamnircontinuedtokneelbeforeit,unmoving.“Comeon,Ranulfsson,”saidGotrek,gruff.“Worktobedone.”Hamnir nodded and raised his head, face grim. “Right.” He crossed to the lever room door.

“Rassmus-sons,holdtheotherguardroom.”Hestartedtryingkeysinthelock.“Andoneofyou,lockNarinintotheleverroom,incase…incasetheygetthroughyou.”

“Aye, prince,” said Arn, saluting. He sprinted across to the left-hand guardroom with hisbrothers,asthethunderofrunningbootsshooktheroom.

“Thirty!”screamedRagar,asthebrothersformedupintheirdoor.“Galin,”saidHamnir,notlookingupfromthelock.“WhenIfindthekey,youwilllockmein,

andthenhelptheSlayer.”Galinnodded.“Right.”“Youknowwhattodo,Gurnisson?”Hamnircalled.Gotrek nodded. “Keep your sorry hide whole, as usual.” He plodded to the hallway door.

“Manling,fallin.”“Twenty!”FelixtookupapositiontotheleftofthedoorandlookedatGotrek.TheSlayerswayedslightly

ashestood.“Allright,Gotrek?”heasked.“Neverbetter,”saidGotrek,andlookedbackatHamnir.“Fifteenminutesyousaid,Ranulfsson?”“Aye,”saidHamnir.Gotreknoddedandfacedthedoor,raisinghisaxe.“Icanstandanythingforfifteenminutes.”Withadeafeningclatter,theorchordefilledtheendofthecorridorlikeagreenflood.Gotrek

roaredandswungastheypushedinattheguardroomdoors,butcheringthemastheycame.ThepressoftheorcsbehindshovedthoseatthefrontintoGotrek’saxereadyornot.Hecutthemintoflyinggreenpieces.

Felix stabbed into them from the side, hamstringing and blinding them. Through the surgingmass of sinewy green arms and armoured green torsos, he caught glimpses of the brothersRassmussonswingingcrimsonedpicksinthedoortotheotherguardroom,diggingintoorcfleshwiththesametirelessswingstheyhadusedtocutthroughthewalltothevault.

Atleastahundredorcschokedtheendofthehall,andnodoubthundredsmorepackedthelonghallbehind them, trying toget to the fight.Fortunately, thedoors to theguardroomswereonly aswideasasingledwarf,andtheorcscouldonlysqueezeinoneortwoatatime.Gotrekstoodapaceback,sohehadanunobstructedswing,andsplitheadsandchests,whileFelixjabbedatfeet,wristsandeyes,beforetheyreachedhim.

TherewasacryoftriumphfromHamnirashefoundthekeytotheleverroomatlast.Felixwastoobusytolookback,butheheardadooropenandclangclosed,andthenGalinjoinedthem,hewingfromtherightsideofthedoorasFelixdidfromtheleft.

Fifteenminutes?FelixeyedGotrekuneasily.CouldtheSlayerdoit,wearyashewas?CouldthebrothersRassmusson?TheSlayer ’saxeneverslowed,buthewasheavyonhisfeet,slippinginorcgore, and the savage, bared-teeth grin that usually spread across his face in battle was missing,replacedwithatight-jawedscowlofgrimdetermination.

Andwoulditbeonlyfifteenminutes?WhatifGorrilencounteredunexpectedobstacles?Whatifhisforcewasbeingambushedbyorcs?Whatif,Sigmarforbid,Gorrilhadn’theardthehornatall?Itmightbethattherewasnohelpcoming.Then,nomatterhowlongGotreklasted,itwouldn’tbelongenough. The tide of orcs was never-ending. Eventually, they would force their way into theguardroomsandslaughterthemall.

Felixchuckledbitterly.Orcsorno,herewasthesortofdeaththatGotrekhadlongedfor—aheroic fight against overwhelmingodds, in pursuit of the noblest of causes.Of course, as always,FelixwasastrappedinGotrek’sgranddeathastheSlayerwas,andthechancesofsurvivinginordertowritetheepicpoemofhislegendarydoomwereslimtonone.Oneday,hewouldhavetofigureouthowtochronicleGotrek’sdeathfromafar—iftherewereanymoredaysaftertoday.

Therewasabellowofpainandthenacryof“Ragar!”fromthecorridor.Felixlookedthroughthecrushoforcstotheoppositeguardroom.Ragarwasfalling,hishead

halfsevered,bloodmattinghisbeard.Hisbrothersbutcheredtheorcwhohadkilledhimandfoughton.

Felixdidthesame;therewasnotimetogrieve.Hemoanedwithweariness.Itfeltlikehourshadpassed,notminutes.Hisarmsachedfromstabbingandhacking.TheorcscrawledoverthebodiesoftheirslaincomradestoattackGotrekwithstoicblankness,asiftheirownlivesmeantnothing—asiftheyknewtheywerethedropsofwaterthatweardownarock.ThebodiesinsidethedoorwereuptoGotrek’sshoulders.

Gotrek was weaving with each blow, and Felix and Galin had to do more and more of hisblockingforhim.

“Howlong?”theSlayerraspedawhilelater.“Tenminutesgone,Ithink,”wheezedGalin,deflectingamace,“maybemore.”Helookedover

hisshouldertotheleverroomdoor,whichhadagrilledwindowinit.“Anysignofthem,prince?”“Nosign,”cameHamnir ’svoice,hollowly.Therewascommotioninthehall—anorcvoicechitteringcommands,andorcsshiftingaround.Gotrekchokedoutalaugh.“Grimnir,that’sallweneed.”Felix risked a look around the doorframe and gaped.Ten orcs, armedwith dwarf long-guns,

wereformingupbacktobackinthecentreofthewidecorridor,fivefacingeachguardroomdoor,asotherorcsgotoutoftheirway.

“Findawaytokillthem,manling,”gruntedGotrek.“IfIgooutthere,therestwillcomeinhere,andifIstayhere…”

“Ihave it,”saidGalin.Hebackedfromthedoorandran to thegunrackat thefarwall.“Waitthere.”

“AndwheredoyouthinkI’dbegoing?”Gotrekaskedthroughhisteeth.FelixlookedbackandsawGalingatheringuppowderhorns.Theorcsprimedandloadedtheirgunslikeboysontheirfirstdayofgunnerydrill—clumsy

andslow,spillingpowderallovertheplace,butatlasttheywereready.Theircommandergrowledanorder.Theyraisedthelong-gunstotheirshouldersandaimed.

“Olifsson!”shoutedGotrek.“Onemoment!”“Haven’tgotadamned—”The orc captain dropped his hand and the orcs fired at Gotrek and the Rassmussons, utterly

unconcernedabouthittingtheirfellowswhostoodintheway.Two of the guns exploded, their barrels ripping apart at the stock and blowing shrapnel and

flameintothefacesoftheorcsaroundthem.Fourcollapsed,skullsshattered.Threegunsfizzledand

failedtofireatall,butfivegotoffshots.TwoballswhizzedtowardstheRassmussons,threetowardsGotrek.Oneburieditselfinthebackofanorc.Onewhistledoverhiscrest.Gotrekswunghisaxeupandthelastspangedoffit,andthenbongedintothegong.

In theoppositedoor,Karl staggeredback, clutchinghis arm.Anorc cut himdownbeforehecouldrecover.Arndiedasecondlater,aloneandoverwhelmed.

“TheRassmussonsaredown!”calledFelix.“Theorcshavetheotherguardroom.”Hamnircursedfromtheleverroom.Havingclearedtheoppositedoorway,alltheremainingorcgunnersturnedtoGotrek’ssideand

began to reloadas,behind them, theircomradesswarmed into the lefthandguardroomandstartedhackingattheleverroomdoor.

“Hurry,curseyou,Olifsson!”calledGotrek.“Just coming!” saidGalin.He ranback to themholdingapairofpowderhornswithholes in

theirsides,stuffedwithbitsofpaperwadding.Heshookthem.Theyrattled.“Addedsomeshot.”Helitthewaddingofonewithhislampandheaveditovertheheadsoftheorcsinthedoor.Ithit

thefloorneartheorcgunners,andwentoffwithaconcussivecrackandaneruptionofsmokeandflame.Orcsfell,howlingandcoughing,withholes in their legsandguts,butnotasmanyasFelixcouldhavewished.Fiveofthegunnerswerestillup,thoughoneofthemwasonfireandflailing.Thecaptainchoppeditdownandshoveditaside,roaringattheotherstofire.

AnorcslashedatGalinashetriedtolightthesecondgrenade.Hedancedbackandtriedagain.“Throwit!”Gotrekshouted.Thewaddingcaught.Galinthrewthehornjustasthreeoftheorcsfinishedloading,andraised

theirguns.Thepowderhornexploded,rippingintothem.Itwasasecondtoolate.Theorcshadgottheirshotsofffirst.Gotrekstaggeredanddroppedtooneknee,catchinghimselfwithhisaxe.Therewasabloody

trenchalonghisouterthigh.

CHAPTERNINETEENFelixblockeddesperatelyasanorcswungfortheSlayer ’sunprotectedskull.Thecleaverscreechedalonghis swordandmissedGotrek’s facebyahair ’sbreadth.FelixhookedGotrekunderhisarmwithhisfreehandandtriedtohaulhimup.Hewasridiculouslyheavy.Morewerecomingin.Galinfoughttwo.

Gotrekfoundhisfootingagainandseveredthearmoftheorcwiththecleaver,butthedamagewasdone.Therewerefiveorcsintheroom,andmorepushinginbehindthem.Thedoorwaywaslost.Felix,GotrekandGalinbackedand fought ina line, trying tokeep theorcs fromencircling them.Gotrek’sleftlegwasslickwithblood.

Felixheardatinnyshoutfrominsidetheleverroom—Narinyellingthroughthespeakingtubefromacrossthehall.“They’renearlythroughtome!Thedoorwon’tholdlong!”

“Courage,Ironskin!”calledHamnir.“Anyminutenow.”TherewasasmashbehindFelix.Heglancedback.Thebladeofacleaverstuckthroughthedoor

tothemurderroomsandturrets.Theorcsfromabovewerebreakingthrough.Theywouldsoonbesurrounded.

“WhereinGrungni’snameisGorril?”gruntedGalin,blockinganorcsword.“Nothere,”saidGotrek.Hewasweavinglikeadrunk,barelyabletostandonhismangledleg.

Heswungatanorcandmissed.Felixnearlydroppedhisswordinshock.Gotreknevermissed.Theorc pressed forwards. Felix stabbed it in the neck. Gotrek gutted it, but four more had got past.Gotrek,FelixandGalinhadorcsonthreesidesofthem.Theyweretootired.Thereweretoomany.

Then, over the clangour of the fight, very faint, they heard a horn, drowned out almostimmediatelybymutedgunfire.

“Ahorn!”saidGalin.“They’re in the canyon.They’re running!” criedHamnir from the lever room. “Narin!At the

ready!”“Ready,”camethemetallicreply.“OhGrimnir,thecrossfire!”chokedHamnir.“Somanydown.They’re…Opentheouterdoor.

Pull!Pull!”Anenormousgratingand rumblingshook the roomas theouterdoorslowlybegan to lower,

andthencameadeafeningboomasitsankhome.Theorcsintheguardroomlookedbehindthematthesound,andGotrek,FelixandGalincutdownfiveofthem.Thebatteringstoppedbehindthedoortothemurderroom,andtheyheardtheorcsrunningbackupthestairstotheirstationsintheturrets.

Asecondvolleyofcannonandsmall-armsfireresoundedthroughthewallsfromthecanyon.“Nowtheinner!Pull,Narin!”cameHamnir ’svoice.“Runlads,run!”Anothershudderingrumbleandaroaringofwind,andtheguardroomfilledwithcoldairand

the smell of gunsmoke. As the second door boomed to a stop, the wind rose and steadied to adeafening trumpet pitch that vibrated the whole corridor, as if blown through the throat of anenormoushorn.Theorcstwitchedandcringedatthenoise.

Hamnirroaredfromtheleverroom.“ThehornofHirn!Nowtheywillfearus!”Theorcsinthecorridorwereturningandbackingawayfromtheopendoor,theircommanders

shoutingatthemtoformup.Theyweretoolate.Withhornsblowingandbannerswaving, thedwarfsofKarakHirncharged through theopen

doors eight abreast,Hammerers at the fore, andpunched thedisorganisedorcsback likeagunnerrammingachargedownacannon’smouth.

Gotrek, Felix and Galin butchered the last five orcs in the guardroom as Gorril’s forcecontinuedtopourin,rankafterrankofsturdywarriorshowlingfororcblood.

As the lastorc toppled,Gotrek staggeredbackandsankdownontoa stoolby theguardroomtable.Hisaxeheadthuddedonthestonefloor.“Grungni,Ineedadrink!”hesaid.Hisleftleg,belowthetrenchthebullethadcut,wasredtohisboot.

“Galin!”calledHamnirfromtheleverroom.“Openthedoor!”GalinhurriedtotheleverroomdoorandletHamnirout.Theprincesurveyedtheheapsoforc

bodiesintheroom,andshookhishead.Helookedupatthethreeofthem.“YourdeedstodaywillberecordedintheBookofKarakHirn.Iswearit.”

Gorrilsteppedoutoftheblurofdwarfsrushingpasttheguardroom,leadingacompanyofhisclanbrothers.HesalutedHamnir,hisfistoverhisheart.“Myprince,”hesaidgravely.“Iamgladtosee you alive. Your army goes to gain a foothold in the grand concourse, and then awaits yourorders.”

“AndIamgladtoseeyou,cousin,”saidHamnir,salutinginturn.“Wewillneeddwarfsheretoopenthemurderroomdoorsandtaketheorcswithin.Theymustalsoclosethegatewhenthecolumnisin.Thereisnottheglorytobehadherethattherewillbeintheconcourse,butourrearmustbeprotected.”

“Ofcourse,prince,”saidGorril.Heturnedtohisclanbrothers.“Youheardhim,Urlo.Divideuptheladsandtakethemurderrooms.”

“Aye,Gorril.”Urlosalutedandbeganbarkingorderstohiscompanions.HamnirglancedatGalin.“Stonemonger,takethekeysfromArn’sbodyandletNarinoutofthe

otherleverroom.”“Aye,prince.”Galinsalutedandsteppedintothehall.“Andyou,Gurnisson,”Hamnircontinued,turningtoGotrek.“Icommandyoutohavenomore

todowiththisbattle.Thephysicianswilldressyourwoundsandyouwilltakeawell-deservedrest.Youtoo,HerrJaeger.”

“Humph!”saidGotrek.“Now come, Gorril,” said Hamnir, stepping to the door with the tall dwarf. “Have you sent

Thunderers to the second-floor balconies? And are the Ironbreakers on their way through thesecondarytunnelstocomeattheorcflanks?Havetheminersgonetosealthedoorstothemines?”

“Allasyouordered,PrinceHamnir,”saidGorril.“Theyaretosecureeachpassageastheygo,sotheorcsmaynotgetinbehindus.”

Hamnir hailed amule cart just coming through the front gate. “Surgeons!Here! See to thosewithintheguardrooms.TheSlayerhasbeenshotandislosingblood.”

“Aye,prince.”Thecartstoppedandtwodwarfsurgeonsbustledin,fieldkitsinhand.Onegotbusypatchingup

theminorcutsandscrapesthatFelixhadcollected,whiletheothercleanedanddressedGotrek’slegwound.Astheyworked,UrloandGorril’sclanbrothersunlockedthedoortothemurderroomsandturrets,andchargedupthestairswithin.Thesoundsofbattlebegantorageabovethem.

“You’relucky,Slayer,”Gotrek’ssurgeonsaidashebeganwrappinghis leg.“Missedtheboneentirely.Stayoffitforamonthortwo,keepitclean,andit’llhealjustfine.”

“Amonth?”growledGotrek.“I’llgiveyouanotherminutebeforeIuseyourguts to tie itoff.Nowhurry.There’sabattletofight.”

“Really,Slayer,”saidthesurgeon.“Iwouldn’tadviseit.”Nonetheless,hewrappedthewoundinrecordtime.

Gotreksurgedupalmostbeforehehadtightenedthelastknot,andlimpedstoicallytowardsthe

hall.“Come,manling,”hesaid,“Iwanttofindthatwax-skinnedtusk-mouthintheblackarmour.Anorclikethatmightalmostbeachallenge.”

“NotgoingtolistentoHamnir?”askedFelix,thoughheknewitwoulddonogood.HefollowedtheSlayerwearily.

“IsworeI’dprotecthim,”saidGotrek,“notfollowhisorders.”GalinandNarinfellinwiththemastheylefttheotherguardroom,theirwoundsalsobound.All

aroundthem,surgeonsandvictuallerswereunloadingtheircartsandsettingupcotsandtrestletablesinpreparationforcaringforthewoundedandweary.

AsGotrekpassedacartpiledwithbarrelsandcrates,hesnatchedupasmallkeg,wrenchedtheplugoutwithhis fingersandupended itoverhismouth,gulpingdownseveralpintsof thegoldenbrewasitsplashedoverhisbeardandcrest.Atlast,helowereditwithacontentedsighandhelditouttotheothers.“Anyoneelse?”

GalinandNarinbothtookandliftedthekeginturn,thoughwithmoredifficulty,anddranktheirfill.Felixtookitupafterthem,gladthatitwasnearlyempty,forhewouldneverhavebeenabletoraise it full.Gotrek took it fromhimwhenhe’d finished,hadanotherguzzle, and then slammed itdownonthecartandlimpedon,smackinghislips.

Thecorridorendedatahigh,columnedarchway,beyondwhichwide,shallowstepsdescendedinto an enormous,marble-floored hall, the grand concourse ofKarakHirn, the central hall fromwhich all the ceremonial and public chambers of the hold stemmed. It was three storeys tall, andpillarsasbigandroundascastleturretsrandowneithersideofit,holdingupanintricatelycarved,cross-vaultedceiling.

Itwasswarmingwithorcs.The dwarf army held the area around the steps, ranks of doughtywarriors, Ironbreakers and

miners linedupat theirbase,whileThunderers stoodandknelt in two lineson the topstep, firingovertheheadsoftheirbrethrenbelow.Thedwarfswerealreadyvastlyoutnumbered,andmoreorcswerepouringintotheconcoursethroughadozenarchways.

A tattoo of explosions came from beyond the battle. Felix looked up and saw that moreThunderershadtakenuppositionsontwobalconies,oneonthehugeroom’srightwall,oneontheleft,aboveandbehindthemainbodyoftheorcs.Twentyorcsfellatthisvolley,andtherewasanotherrightbehinditasasecondrankofdwarfssteppeduptotherailofthebalconyandthefirststeppedbacktoreload.Athirdrankfollowedthesecond,andthenthefirstwasreadyagain.Orcsfelllikecutwheat.TheThunderers’speedandmarksmanshipwasawe-inspiring.

DirectlybelowwhereFelixstoodwithGotrek,Hamnir,andtheothers,thehugepaleorcintheodd armour, and his similarly dressed and milk-skinned retinue, were smashing Karak Hirn’sLongbeardstopieces.Therancidreekofthemwasalmostblinding.Thewhite-haireddwarfsfoughtthem valiantly, eyes watering from the smell as they struck again and again, but the orcs wereincredibly strong, and what was worse, disciplined. For every white orc that toppled, threeLongbeardshad theirheadscaved in.TheLong-beardswouldneverbreak,butneither, it appearedwouldtheorcs.Andnonecouldtouchthehugewar-boss.ThreeLongbeardsbashedathim,landingblowafterblow,buthetooktheirworstandgavebackmurder.Awhite-haireddwarfstaggeredback,clutchinghisneck,hislongbeardabrightcrimsontabard.ItwasoldRuen.Hefellonhisfacebeforethesteps.

“Standaside,”saidGotrek,limpingforwards.“No,Gurnisson,”saidHamnir,steppingaheadoftheSlayer.“Heismine.Hetookmyhold.Iwill

takehim.Besides,you’reinnoshapeforafight.”“I’m always in shape for a fight,”Gotrek bristled, but then stopped, grunting. “Bah! It’s your

hold.Isupposeyouhavetherighttochallengehim,Valayacurseyou.”HamnirandGorrilwerealreadychargingdownthesteps to join theLongbeards’ line.Gotrek

glaredafterthem,angry,orperhapsconcerned.Felixcouldn’ttell.“Comeon,manling,”theSlayersaid,turning.“We’llfindsomeotherplacetogetstuckin.”“Why not takeHamnir ’s advice and sit this one out,” said Felix. “You’re not exactly at your

best.”“Whydoyouallsaythat?”growledGotrek.“AllIneededwasadrink.”“Listen,” saidNarin, trying to see through the gun-smoke that filled the hall like a fog. “The

Thunderersontherightbalconyhavestoppedfiring.”“They’rebeingattacked,”saidGalin,craninghisneck.“Orcshavegotaroundbehindthem.”Gotrekturnedtothecorridor.“Thenwe’llgetaroundbehindtheorcs.”“Justthefourofus?”askedFelix.Gotreklookedatthebattle.Thedwarfsweresorelypressedoneveryside.“There’snooneelse

tospare.”He stumped back into the corridor. Felix, Narin and Galin exchanged a glance, and then

shruggedandfollowedhim.Afewstridesdownthehallway,theyreachedarisingstairheldbyarankofKarakHimdwarfs.“One of you lads, lead us to the right balcony over the concourse,” said Gotrek. “Your

Thunderersareintrouble.”“Oneofus?”saidadwarf.“We’llallcome!”“Anddesertyourposition?”snarledGotrek.“Yourprincewouldlikethat.Justone.”The dwarf who had spoken, a gruff veteran named Dolmir, came with them, leading them

quicklyupthestairsandthroughthepassagesofthefloorabove.Gotrekgruntedwitheachlimpingstepinanefforttokeepupwiththeothers.

Soontheyenteredahigh,widecorridorthatringedthegrandconcourse.Ontheouterwalloftheringwereaseriesofmagnificentdoors,eachwiththeinsigniaofaclancarvedaboveitinstone—theentrancestotheholdsoftheclanswhomadeKarakHirntheirhome.Manyoftheirdoorshungopen,orhadbeensmashedofftheirhinges,andpilesofstoneandconstructionmaterialslitteredthecorridor, as if the orcs had been attempting repairs. On its inner wall, the ring was pierced bynumerousiron-latticedwindows,balconies,andgalleriesthatlookeddownintothegrandconcourse.Thesoundsofbattleechoedupthroughthem,butanearerbattlewaslouder.Thecompanionsturned.

HalfwaydownthecorridorwastheentrancetothebalconythattheThunderershadbeenfiringfrom.Aseethingscrumoforcssurroundedit.TheThunderershadturnedandfoughtthemwithhandaxeanddagger.Bothorcanddwarfbodiessprawledatthefeetofthecombatants,butthedwarfsweregettingtheworstofit.Theywereoutnumberedtwotoone.Theywouldbeoverwhelmedinmoments.

“Grimnir take it,” cursed Gotrek as he hobbled forwards. “I can’t run.” He looked aroundangrily,andthenpointedtotheconstruction.“Manling,thatbarrow!”

Felixrantoapileofrubbleandpulledoutawoodenwheelbarrow.HerolledittoGotrek.TheSlayerclimbedin,woundedlegfirst,andfacedforwards,axeattheready.

“Push!”Felix tried,but thedwarfwas impossiblyheavy,muchdenser thananythingmadeof fleshand

bloodhadanyrighttobe.“Narin,helpme.”Narintookuponeofthebarrow’shandlesandtogethertheyranitdownthecorridor,Galinand

Dolmirpacingthem.TheorcsandtheThunderersweretoooccupiedtonoticethemcoming.“Valaya’smercy,Gurnisson,”puffedNarin.“Doyoueatstoneforbreakfast?”

“Shutup.Pushfaster!”Fifteenfeetfromthemelee,thebarrow’swheelstruckaloosebrickandbouncedwildly.Gotrek

catapultedforwards,gruntinginsurprise,butturneditintoabloodthirstybattlecryandraisedhisaxeinmid-air.

ThebackrankoforcsturnedatthenoiseandfelltothefloorinpiecesasGotrek’saxepassedthroughthempartingarmourandboneaseasilyasitcutflesh.FelixandNarinploughedthebarrowintotheorcs,thendrewtheirweaponsandchargedinwithGalinandDolmir,slashingandchopping.

TheThundererscheeredand,heartenedbythereinforcements,attackedwithrenewedfury.TheorcsfoughtwiththesameblanksilencethatFelixhadcometoexpect.

Dolmir,however,wasunnerved.“Whydon’ttheycryout?Whydon’ttheybreak?”“Idon’tknow,cousin,”saidNarin,“buttheywon’trun.We’llhavetokilleverylastone.”Andtheydid.ThoughGotrekwasnearlyimmobilebecauseofhisleg,itdidn’tmatter.Theorcs

cametohim,pushingforwardstoswingathim,onlytofallbeforehisomnipresentblade.Theswarmwasquicklyobliterated.

“Muchobliged,Slayer,”saidthecaptainoftheThunderersashisdwarfsrecoveredandtookuptheirgunsagain.“Tougherthanwethoughtthey’dbe.”

Theyre-formedonthebalconyandstartedfiringdownintothemassoforcsonceagain.Gotrek,Felixandtheotherslookedoverthebattlebelow.Thedwarfsandorcswerefightingtoa

standstillalongacurvedlineinfrontofthesteps.Itlookedasifeveryorcintheholdwastryingtogetatthedwarfs,andinthecentre…

“Grimnircursehim!”saidGotrekashesaw.“Thinkshe’saSlayernow?”In thecentre,Hamnir and theorcwarboss still foughton, the tattered remainsof their squads

surroundingthem.Therewerelessthantenofthestrangepaleorcsleft,andnomorethanahandfulofLong-beards.Hamnir ’shelmetwasdentedandhisgromril ringmail torn in adozenplaces.Hisfacewasredwithbloodandexertion.Thewarboss’armourhadsimilarlybeensmashedandrippedaway,butstrangely,itspale,greenskindidn’thaveamarkonit.

AsFelixandGotrekwatched,Hamnirswunghisaxeatthegiantorc’sexposedknee.Atfirstitseemedhehadhitit,forFelixcouldhaveswornhesawHamnir ’sshouldersjoltwiththeimpact,butitmust have been an illusion, for his axe sped on, unbloodied, and the orc took nowound.The orchardly registered the attack, swinging its own shield-sized axe down atHamnir so swiftly that thedwarfprincehadtoflinghimselfasidetoavoidbeingchoppedintwo.

“Neverwasmuchgoodinascrap,”grumbledGotrek.Hepulledhimselfupontothebalustrade.“Hangon,scholar!”heroared,andwithoutasecondthought,leaptdowntothefloor,twenty-fivefeetbelow.

CHAPTERTWENTY“Gotrek!”shoutedFelix.Hethrusthisheadovertherail.NarinandGalindidthesame,eyeswidewithalarm.

“It’sallright,”saidNarinwryly.“Hisfallwasbrokenbyadozenorcs.”Itwastrue.Gotrekwasonhisfeetinthecentreofaclusterofsprawlingorcs,slashingaround

likeared-crestedwhirlwindasheforcedhiswaytowardsHamnirandthewarboss.Thebandageonhislegwascrimsonwithfreshblood.

Felix’smouthopenedandclosed.“Damnhim!I…I…I’llbreakmylegs.I…”Withacurseheturnedandboltedintothehallwaytowardsthestairs.NarinandGalinranafterhim,butquicklyfellbehind.

Felixpoundeddownthestairs,pushedthroughthedwarfsat thebottomandsprintedalongthecorridortothegrandconcourse.HeskiddedtoastopbehindtheThunderersonthestepsandscannedthesurgingbattleforGotrek.

TheSlayerwasjustreachingthewarboss,awideswathofbrokenanddismemberedorcsbehindhim. He swung at the warboss’ back. The blow ripped the shattered remains of the orc’s blackbreastplateoff and sent it spinning.As thebrute turned to swingatGotrek,Felix could see that itsbackwasentirelyunmarked.Hegroaned.Gotrekhadmissedforasecondtimetoday,thoughitwasn’tanywonder:heshouldhavebeenflatonhisbackinbed.

With its attention held byGotrek, Hamnir and the Longbeards attacked the warboss from allsides.Theirblowsdidnothing.Felixpaled.Weretheyallmissing?Orwassomethingmoresinistergoingon?Thebigorcmadenoattemptwhatsoever toblockthem.Sevenaxesstruckitsback, legsandshoulders,anditshruggedthemoffasifitdidn’tfeelthem.Itfoughtinleatherragsandscrapsofcloth,andstilltherewasnotasinglewoundonit.

It has somemagic, thoughtFelix, someprotective spell.Nomatter.Gotrekwouldmake shortwork of that. He and his axe had cut down dragons and daemons. Magic siege engines haddisintegratedatthemeresttouchofthatfellblade.

Gotrekknockedthewax-fleshedmonster ’senormousbattle-axeasideandlurchedinwithacleanunobstructed swing to its belly. The orc roared in pain and staggered back three steps, and Felixraisedhisfist.That’sdoneit,hethought.Butasthewarbossstraightened,Felixsawonlyafadinglineonitsbelly,asonemightseeifonedrewone’sfingernailacrossthebackofone’shand.Theorchadtakenablowthatshouldhavecomeoutthroughitsspine,andwasunmarked.

“Damnedstinkingbeast!”Gotrekswore.“Whatareyoumadeof?”Theorcchargedhim,rainingastormofblowsdownonhimastheSlayerblockedandswayed

onhisbadleg,cursinginpainandfrustration.FelixpushedthroughtheThunderersandchargedthemonstrousorc’sback.Astupidthingtodo,

he knew, even as he did it. If Gotrek’s axe couldmake no impression, what could he do? But hecouldn’t juststandasideandwatch.Heswunghis longswordat thesametimethatHamnirand theLongbeardsswungtheiraxes.Notonestrikebroketheskin.Theyallslidofftheorc’spalegreenhideasifitwereoiledmarble.

TheorcsweptalazybackhandatFelix,Hamnirandtheothers,splittingopenaLongbeard’sribsandknockinghimtothefloor,dead.Felixleaptback,barelyescapingthesamefate.

Gotreklungedinandswungwithallhismightattheorc’srightshin—ablowlikethatwouldhavesevered the legfroman ironstatue.Theorcgruntedand its legbuckled,but it recoveredandspunback.ItshugeaxeshavedatuftfromGotrek’sorangecrest.

Felixtossedasidehissword.Perhapshecouldn’twoundthething,buthemightblindit.Heleaptonitsmassiveback,grabbingitaroundtheneck,strugglingtoclimbit.Itsskinwasslickwithsomefoulmucus.Thesmellchokedhim,andhealmostslidoff.

Theorcgrunted,annoyed,andtriedtoshrughimoff.Felixgothislegsoveritsbroadshouldersandclappedhishandsoveritseyes.

“Good,manling!”calledGotrek.“Stayonhim!”Hestrucktheorc’schestwithablowthatshouldhavesplititssternum.

Theorcstaggeredback,bellowinginpain,butitsskinremainedwhole.Itlashedoutblindandone-handedwithitsaxe,andgropedwithitsfreehandforFelix.

Felixtriedtosquirmoutofthewayofthequestingfingers,buttheycaughthimbythearm.Felixscrabbleddesperatelyforpurchaseandcaughtatthegoldtorquewrappedaroundtheorc’s

neck.TheorcthrewhimcrashingintoGotrek,sendingthembothsprawling.“Curseyou,manling!”gruntedtheSlayerfromunderFelix.“Itoldyoutostayon.”A shadow of swift movement flashed in the corner of Felix’s eye and he rolled instinctively

aside.Gotrek rolled theoppositeway.Theorc’s immenseaxeblade slammeddownbetween them,buryingitselfdeepinthemarblefloor.

Gotrekstaggeredup,lurchingonhiswoundedleg,andswungwithallhismightattheorc’sarmasitliftedtheaxeagain.Hechoppedthemassivegreenlimbinhalfattheelbow.

Gotrek blinked as the orc howled and fell back, its stump spurting black blood. “What in thenameofGrungni?”

HamnirandtheLongbeardsraninastheorcstaggered,clutchingitself.Theiraxesbitdeep,justasGotrek’shad.Theychoppedittopieces.

“Whathappened?”askedHamnir,astheylookeddownatitsmangledbody.“Whydiditsuddenlybecomevulnerable?”

“Haven’taclue,”saidGotrek,rufflinghisshortenedcrestandfrowning.“Er,”saidFelix,andheldupthethingheclutchedinhishand—theorc’sgoldentorque.

Felix gave the torque toHamnir as the battlewith the orcs continued.Hewas glad to be rid of it.Perhaps it would have made him invincible too, but it made his skin crawl just holding it. Theglitteringblack jewel in its centre seemed to look at him, anddarkwhisperings seemed to fill hismind, urging him to put it on.Dwarfswere less susceptible to that sort of thing, he thought as hefoughtbesideGotrek,betterforHamnirtohaveit.

Felix’smanybattlesagainstorcshadtaughthimthatwhenonekillsthewarboss,thefightisover.The lieutenants start squabbling, and any cohesion the horde might have had dissipates in anexplosionofinfightingandpanic.Althoughheandthedwarfshadampleevidencethattheorcstheyfought now were not like other orcs, it still came as a demoralising shock when they continuedfightingjustasresolutelyaftertheinvulnerablewarbosshadfallenastheyhadbefore.

So,foranotherweary,blood-soakedhour,theorcsthrewthemselvesatthedwarflinewiththedullmechanicalferocityofantsprotectingtheirnest.GotrekandHamnirfoughtbacktobackinthatswirlingsea, roaringand joking,andexchangingreminiscencesas if theywerebelliedup toabarinsteadofbutcheringgreenskins.

“Thatwasn’tnine,scholar,”Gotrekgrowled,grinning.“Youonlyhaveeight.Ifinishedofftheonebeforelast,sohe’sonmytallynotyours.Isthishowyoucountyourmanifests?”

“I dispatched the one you threw behind you,” retortedHamnir, grinning. “Do you think youreverystrokeisfatal?Someonehastocleanupbehindyou,asiteverwas.”

Felixwasstruckagainbyunexpectedjealousyashewatchedthem.HehadtravelledwithGotrekfortwentyyearsandcouldnotrecalloneinstancewhereGotrekhadbeenascomfortableandfreein

hispresenceashewaswithHamnirnow.Finally,thelastorcfell,theechoesofsteelonsteelfaded,andthegrandconcoursewassilent,

butforthemoaningofthewoundedandthedying.Felixcouldbarelylifthissword,andGotrekwasthesame,wearierthanFelixhadeverseenhim,buthappiertoo.

Thedwarfs lookedaroundinadazeat thepilesof thedeadandthelakesofbloodthatspreadacross the polishedmarble floor. Someof the survivorsmournedover slain brothers and friends.Someclappedeachotheronthebackanddrankcelebratorytoastsfromflasks.Someweresotiredthattheysatdownwheretheywere,unheedingofthecorpsesandthereek.

Hamnirlimpedunsteadilyupthestepsandturnedtofacehistroops.Hewasamassofcutsandbruises,hisarmourhangingoffhimlikeagromrilrag.“SonsandfriendsofKarakHirn,youhavewonagreatvictoryheretoday.”

Thedwarfsbellowedadeep-throatedcheer.“Thisenterprisemayhavestartedinmyerror,butithasendedinyourvictory.Ithankyoufor

yourhelpandsacrifice.Bringourdeadandwounded to theshrineofGrungni,but leave thegrobiwheretheylay.Wewillbegintosettheholdtorightstomorrow.Tonightinthefeasthallwewilldineanddrinkandtoastthevalorousdead.”

There was another cheer, and then the dwarfs roused themselves to see to their maimed andmurdered.AsHamnirsteppeddowntotheflooragain,dwarfsbegantojoginfromeveryarchway,bearingnews.

“Prince,”calledthefirst,“wehavesealedtheentrancestothemine.Therearemanygrobistillbelow,buttheywillnotgetintonight.”

“PrinceHamnir,”saidanother,“wehaveclearedtheuppergalleriesandthegrainstoragelevel,butseveralscoreofgoblinshavelockedthemselvesinthethirdarmoury.”

Urloand thedwarfsofGorril’sclan returned from theguardrooms,bloodyandbattered,andmissinghalf theirnumber.UrlokneltstifflyandheldtheBattleHornofKarakHirnouttoHamnir.Thebellwassplitandcrumpled.

Hamnirchokedashetookit.“Thorgig.”“Hediedwithittohislips,prince,”saidUrlo.“Heneverdrewhisaxe.”“AndLeatherbeard?TheSlayer?”“Tendeadorcssurroundedhim,”saidUrlo,“andittookasmanystrikestobringhimdown.”Hamnirloweredhishead.“Theirsacrificewontheday.Theywillbehonoured.”Gotreknoddedgravely.“Itwasagooddoom.”More dwarfs approached as reports came from all over the hold. Pockets of grobi resistance

here,adecisivevictorythere,ruinedsupplies,vandalisedrooms,astorageroomfulloftherottingcorpsesofdwarfswhohadbarricadedthemselvesinandstarvedtodeath,lootedtreasurevaults.

Hamnir took it all,goodnewsandbad,withawearycalm,dispatchingordersanddispensingthanksandcongratulationstothosewhomeriteditashewalkedslowlytowardsthearchthatledtothefeasthall,butthencameapieceofnewsthatstoppedhiminhistracks.

“Prince,” called a Karak Hirn warrior, running up at the head of a dozen dwarfs, “theDiamondsmithclan,theirholdisunbreached!Itlooksasifthegrobitriedtobreakdownthedoor,butitisstillwhole.Theymayyetlive!”

“Ferga!”whisperedHamnir.He looked around atGorril andGotrek, eyes bright. “Come,wemustsee!”Hestrodeacrossthehall,hisexhaustionathingofthepast.Theothershurriedafterhim.

“Don’tgetyourhopesup,prince,”saidGorril.“Ithasbeentwentydays.Therecan’thavebeenmuchfoodinthehallwhentheyclosedthedoors.”

“Aye,scholar,”saidGotrek,gruff.“Bepreparedfortheworst.Itmaybeorcsbehindthatdoor.”

“Iamprepared,”saidHamnir,buthestillsoundedeager.They climbed broad stairs to the balconied corridor that ringed the grand concourse, and

travelledpastsixbreachedclanholdsuntiltheycametoatallironandstonedoorwiththeinsigniaofadiamondsetaboveitslintel.Thedoorwasblackenedwithsmoke,andchippedanddentedasiffromgunshotsandhammerblows,butitwasstillintact.

Hamnirlookeduponitwithlongingeyes.Hesteppedforwards,andthenturnedtothecrowdofdwarfswhohadfollowedhimthere.“ArethereanyamongyouoftheDiamondsmithclan?Doanyofyouhaveakeyorknowtheclansecrettoopeningthisdoor?”

Noneofthedwarfsspokeup.“NoDiamondsmithssaveThorgigandKagrinescapedthehold,prince,”saidGorril.“Therest

lockedthemselvesin,tothelastdwarf.”Hamnirnoddedandturnedbacktothedoor,drawinghisaxe.Hereverseditandrappedanodd,

syncopatedtattooonthedoorwiththesquarebackofthehead.Fromyearsinthecompanyofdwarfs,Felixknewwhat thismustbe, thoughhehadneverheard itused—theminecodeof thedwarfs,asystemforcommunicatingthroughmilesoftunnelswithnothingbutahammer.Thecodewasmorejealouslyguardedthanthedwarflanguage,forwithittheycouldtalkthoughwallsandacrossenemylines.

Hamnirfinishedhisshortpatternandtheassembleddwarfswaitedforaresponse.Nonecame.He rapped the door again, and again no response came. Gorril shifted, uncomfortable. Gotrekcoughed.Hamnirsethisjawandraisedhisaxeoncemore,butjustashewasabouttorapagain,anuncertaintappingechoedthroughthedoor.Itsoundedasifthesenderwasjustontheotherside.

Hamnirgaspedandbeatanexcitedresponseonthedoor.“Easy,scholar,”saidGotrek.“You’restuttering.”Afterabreathlesssilence,aslowreplycame.“Valaya be praised!” said Hamnir. He turned to the others. “Stand back. They’re opening the

door.”The crowd moved back, murmuring their amazement. Hamnir and Gorril were all smiles,

slappingeachotheronthebackandchuckling,butFelixsawthatGotrekkepthishandonthehaftofhis axe, and his facewaswary. Felix understood his caution. If the orcs could learn how to builddwarftrapsandshootlong-guns,theymighthavelearnedanything.

Foralongmomentnothinghappened,andthentherewasadeep“thunk”ofstoneboltsdrawingbackandthedoorsbegantoswingslowlyout.

Thedwarfsheldtheirbreath,andmorethanonefollowedGotrek’sexampleandloweredtheirhandstotheiraxes,butwhenthedoorsboomedfullyopen,whatfacedHamnir,Gotrek,Felixandtheothersthroughthehugearcheddoor,wasahandfulofdwarfssoraggedandgauntthatitwashardtobelieve they still lived.Felix heard a horrified intake of breath behindhim as the liberators gazedupontheliberated.

Felixhadneverseendwarfssothin.Eveninthedirestcircumstances,dwarfsremainedrelativelyrobust,butthesepoorsoulslookedatdeath’sdoor.Thedwarfwhostoodtothefore,anaxehangingfromhisshakinghand,waspracticallyaskeleton,hischeekbonesjuttingoutabovehisgrizzledandpatchybeardlikerockledges.Hisdoublethungfromhisbonyshoulderslikeasack,looseanddirty.Hishairandbeardwerebrittleanddull.

Hamnir cried out and stepped forwards, taking the dwarf’s bone-thin hand. “Thane KirhazHelmgard!Youlive!”

“PrinceHamnir,”Kirhazwhispered, his voice asweak as a candle flame at noon, “you havecome.”

“AndbyGrimnir,GrungniandValaya,Iamthankfulbeyondallwordsthatwearenottoolate.Unless,”hechokedsuddenly.“Unlesswearetoolate,andyoufewareallthatsurvive!”

Kirhazshookhishead.“Somehavedied,butmostarespared.Wehavebeenallowedtolive.”Felixthoughtitwasafunnywaytoputit,butHamnirdidn’tappeartonotice.“AndFerga?”heaskedeagerly.“Doesshelive?”“Aye,Fergalives,”saidKirhaz.“The ancestors be praised!” said Hamnir. He turned to the others. “Summon the physics and

surgeons!Bringfoodanddrink!Ourcousinsareinneed.”Morehaggarddwarfswereappearing in thehallbehindKirhaz,shufflingforwards likeslow-

movingghosts.“Bytheancestors,”saidHamnir,staring.“Whatyouhaveendured.”HestartedforwardsintotheDiamondsmithhold.Theothersfollowed,callingouttooldfriends

among thesurvivorsandhurrying to themwithgladcriesandgentleembraces.Thesurvivorsmetthesegreetingswithwansmilesandblankstares.Itseemedasifithadn’tyetsunkinthattheyhadbeensaved.Theireyesremainedhauntedandfaraway.

FelixandGotreksteppedwithHamnirandKirhazandtheothersintothecentralchamberoftheclanhold. Frail dwarfs came out of arches and doors all around its perimeter, blinking like bearswakingfromhibernation.

Allatonce,Hamnirshoutedandhurriedacrosstheroomtoastarvedlookingdwarfmaiden,herlonghairrattyandunbraided,andherdresslikeatentaroundherbonyframe.

“Ferga!”criedHamnir,takingupherhandsandkissingthem.“Ferga,beloved.”Shestaredathimuncertainlyforamoment,andthenreachedoutandpattedhisface,frowning

uncertainly.“Hamnir.Prince.Haveyoucome?Oristhisyetanotherdream?”“Ihavecome,Ferga.Youarefree.Yourordealisover.”“Good.Good.”Herhandfelltoherside.Hamnirswallowed,hisfaceamixtureofconfusionandpain.Thiswasobviouslynotthescene

of tearfulwelcome he had constructed in his head. “Beloved, you areweak.Wemust see to yourrecovery.I…”hepausedandlookedbackatKirhaz,whowascrossingtothem.“IamafraidImustbringsadnesstothisjoyousoccasion.”Heheldupthewarhornandlookedatthemboth.Hesquaredhisshoulders.“Yoursonandbrother,Thorgig,isdead,slainbytheorcs,buthissacrificewasnotinvain.Hewonthedayandfreedyou.Hediedsummoningourtroops.”

“Thorgig.” Ferga’s brow furrowed, as if shewere trying to rememberwhat thewordmeant.“Thorgigisdead?”

“Myson,”saidKirhazhollowly.“Aye.That’sbad.That’sbad.”Felix frowned. Even for dwarfs,Kirhaz and Ferga’s responsewas stoic. They didn’t seem to

understand.Hamnir was unnerved, but put the best face on it he could. “Forgive me. I should not have

burdenedyouwithsuchnewsbeforeyouhavehadachancetorecoveryourselves.Iwilltroubleyouno more until you have been fed and tended to.” He turned and addressed the dwarfs of theDiamondsmithhold,maskinghispainwithaneffort.“Therewillbeafeasttonightinthefeasthall.Yourcourageandsteadfastnesswillbehonoured there. Ifyouarewellenough, Ibegallofyou toattend. Let the drinking horns be filled and the trenchers heaped high! Tonight we celebrate amiracle!”

Therescuerscheered.Therescuedtookthenewswithdullindifference.Thecheersfaltered.HamnirbowedtoKirhazandFerga,andthenturnedawayandwhisperedtoGotrek.“Itisenough

tobreakmyheart.Haveyoueverseendwarfssolost?”

“No,”saidGotrek,“Ihaven’t.”Hishandwasstillonhisaxe.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONEForallHamnir ’stalkofpilingthetrenchershigh,thefeastwasaleanaffair.Thedwarfscouldnot,orwould not, trust any food touched by the orcs, nor use the great kitchens until they had beenthoroughlyscoured,sotheyhadtomakedowiththeprovisionsthatGorril’sarmyhadbroughtwiththem fromRodenheimCastle. Fortunately, Hamnir andGorril had foreseen this situation, and thewagonshadbeenpackedtooverflowing,thoughitwasstillhardlyenough.

Therewas,however,plentyofbeer.Thedwarfshadbeenamazedtofindtwoentirestoreroomsfilledwithuntouchedhogsheads—moreproof, ifanywereneeded, that theorcswhohadheldtheholdwereunusualindeed.

Toastaftertoastwasdrunk:toHamnir,toThorgig,thesurvivors,Gotrek,evenFelixgotapolitecheer.TheDiamondsmithsurvivors—thosefewstrongenoughtoattend—satquietlyamongtheirroaring,guzzlingcousins,sippingattheirbeerandmouthingtheirfood,andraisingfeeblesmilesateachtoast.Theyseemedglaze-eyedanduncomfortableinthemidstofalltheuproar.

HamnirsatbetweenThaneKirhazandhisoldfriend,theengineerBirdBirrisson,attheking’stableattheheadofthehall,tryinghisbesttolearnfromthemwhathadhappenedsincetheorcshadinvaded.WhateverBirrissonhad looked likebefore,nowheseemedaskeletonwithspectacles,hislankgreybeardhangingfromsunkenparchmentcheeks.

“But,Bird,”hesaidas theengineer forkedhammechanically intohismouthwitha tremblinghand,“Gotrekreportedthatthepassagefromthegyrocopterhangarwaslaidwithnewtraps,dwarf-built.ThosetrapskilledMatrak,youroldcolleague,andtwoothers.Areyoucertainnodwarfhelpedin their construction? Was perhaps one of your apprentices caught and tortured? Was anyonemissing?”

Birrishookhisbaldhead,notlookingup.“Noapprenticeslost.Nonethatdidn’tdie,atleast.Notin our hold.” He frowned. His fork paused. “Had a dream I set new traps in that hall, but…”Hestopped,hiseyesfaraway.

“Adream?”askedHamnir,eyeswide.“Whatsortofdream?”Birrifrownedagainforalongmoment,thenshrugged.“Adream.Onlyadream.”Hecouldnot

beinducedtosaymoreaboutit.Hamnir sighed and shook his head as he filled his stein again.He leaned over toGotrek and

whispered in his ear. “They are still too tired from their privations. I will wait until they haverecovered.”

“Theyaren’tjusttired,”growledGotrek,fixinghisoneeyeonBirri,whowasstaringplacidlyintospace,hisfoodforgotten.“Something’swrongwiththem.Dwarfsaremadeofsternerstuff.”

“Evenadwarfmightgrowweakafterstarvingfortwentydays,”saidHamnir.Gotrekgrumbledsuspiciouslybutsaidnothing,onlydrankanothersteindry.SoontheDiamondsmithholdsurvivorsbegantonodintheirchairs,theunaccustomedamounts

offoodandbeeroverwhelmingthemandmakingthemdrowsy.Theyexcusedthemselvesinonesandtwos, and returned to their holdwhile their rescuers toasted each departure.With the last of themgone,thespiritsoftheremainingdwarfsroseagain,andtheybegantogetroaringdrunk.

Strange, Felix thought as he watched Gotrek and Hamnir clash their steins together, that thefeast’shonouredguestshadbeenadragon the festivities.The listlessmiseryof the survivorshadmadethevictoriousarmyuncomfortableandpolite.Theyhadkepttheirvoiceslow,andcourteouslytriedtokeepthesurvivorsengagedintheirconversations,butnowthattheyweregone,restraintwentwith them. Dwarf marching songs rocked the feast hall, and heated arm wrestling and boasting

matcheswerebeingcontestedateverytable.Felixknewwhereitwouldalllead.Hehadseenitbefore.Itwasadwarftraditionthattheydrink

themselves into a stupor after a great victory, and it appeared this victorywould be no exception.Already therewere dwarfs slumped in their chairs, snoring, steins still clutched in their fists, andthosewhohadtravelledwithHamnirwerefallingfasterthantherest—allthemarchinganddiggingandfightingofthepastdayscatchingupwithwhentheywereatlastallowedtorelax.

GotrekwasslurringhiswordsandleaningheavilyonhiselbowsashespoketoHamnir.NarinandGalin,sittingwiththeirrespectiveclansatthelongtablesbelowthedais,werebothfastasleep,their heads back, snoring heavily. Felix toowas drooping, his eyelids getting heavier and heavieruntilhetoosprawledinhischair,unconscious.Felix’sheadjerkedupfromthetable.Heblinkedaroundblearily,sobefuddledwithsleepandalethatforamomenthehadnoideawherehewas.Thefeasthall.Nowheremembered.Itwasdark,thefirein the enormous hearth sunk to red embers, and the lamps and candles guttering. But what hadawakenedhim?Hecouldseenomovementinthehall.Thedwarfsaroundhimsnoredsoftly,headsdownonthetables,theirbeardssoakinguppuddlesofbeerandgravyandsoup.

Astrangefeelingofdreadcameunbiddentohisheart,andforamoment,hewasafraidthathewas having a reoccurrence of the nightmare he had in themines— that at anymoment hewouldbeginstabbingGotrekandHamnirandtherestintheirsleep.Butno,hefeltnohomicidalurges,onlyfear.

Thenhehearditagain,ascream,echoingfromthekitchens.Thatwaswhathadwokenhimup.Someonehadscreamed.Aroundhim,dwarfsweresnortingandmumbling, theirdreamsdisturbed.Helookedtowardsthekitchendoors.Theconnectingcorridorwasbrightwithlamplight.Therewasnothingthere,andthentherewas:aweavingshadow.Aplumpdwarfwomanstaggeredthroughthedoor,wailing,andthenfellbetweentwolongtables.Herbackwassplitopenlikeamelon.Felixcouldseeherspine.

HenudgedGotrekroughly.“Gotrek!”TheSlayerdidn’tmove.Aroundthechamber,dwarfswerewaking,mutteringandcursinginthedarkness.“Whatwasthat?”“Who’sscreaming?”“Ugh,myhead.”“Stopthatcursednoise!”Hamnirliftedhishead,murmuringfretfully,andthensankback,hisforeheadthuddingasithit

thetable.Moreshadowsweremovingbeyondthekitchendoorway,hulkingblackshapeslurchingacross

thefloor,accompaniedbyharshscrapingsounds.Adwarfnearthedoorscrambledupoutofhisseatandbackedunsteadilyaway,pointing.“The

orcsh!”heslurred.“Theorcsh!”“Wuzzat,lad?”mumbledanother,furtherfromthedoor.“Don’tbedaft.Theorcsaredead.”FelixsawNarinamongsthiscousins,blinkingandrubbinghisface.Ontheoppositesideofthe

hall,Galinwasstillfastasleep.“Orcs?” murmured Hamnir. He sat up again, listing in his seat. His eyes blinked open.

“Where…”Hischestheavedandhelungedtotheside,vomitingoverthearmofhischair.“Gotrek!”Felixshouted,shakingtheSlayer.Theshadowspushedintothefeasthall,followedbythethingsthatcastthem.Thedwarfsstared,

moststillhalfasleepandentirelydrunk,asadozenorcsshambledthroughthekitchendoor,dragging

theircleaversandaxesbehindthem.Thefirstorcwasmissinganarm.Thenexthadthreecrossbowboltsstickingfromitschest.Anotherdraggeditselfalongthefloorbyitshands.Ithadnolegs.Theorcs’headsdroopedatunnaturalangles.Theireyesstaredintothemiddledistance,vacantanddull.Theirmovementswereslowandstiff.Asidedoorcrashedopenandmorejoltedthrough,asungainlyasthefirstgroup.

Adwarfstaggeredupunsteadilyfromthetableclosest tothedoorandstoodinthewayoftheorcprocession.“Grimnir,”hesaid,pointing.“They’re…”

Theleadorcswunghisaxearoundloosely,asifhemeanttothrowit,andthedrunkdwarfwentdown,thetopofhisheadopenedlikeahard-boiledegg.Allovertheroom,dwarfsbeganroaringandfumblingclumsilyfortheirweapons,asungainlyintheirdrunkenstuporastheshamblingorcs.Moreorcspushedthroughthefeasthall’smainarchway,aslow,spreadingtideofherky-jerkmonsters.Thedoorswerechokedwiththem.

Hamnirpushedhimselfupright,wipinghismouthandlookingaround.“What…whatisthis?DoIstilldream?”

“It’snodream,prince,”saidFelix.“Gotrek.Wakeup!”Gotrek’sheadsnappedup,hisbeardgrimywithcrumbs.“Wha?”heslurred.“Who’sthat?”“Buttheorcsaredead,”mumbledGorril,blinkingaroundonHamnir ’sleft.“Howcanthey…”“Orcs?”Gotreklookedaround,frowningandbelching.“Where?Wherearethey?”Hamnirjumpedtohisfeet.Hischaircrashedtothefloorashesprangunsteadilyontothetable.

“Formup,brothers!Formup!Captainsrallyyourmen!Hurry!”Hisvoicewaslost in thechaosofconfusedshoutingthatechoedthroughthehall.

Gotreklurchedupandnearlyfellover.“Whatorcs?Lightatorch.Ican’tsee.”A Longbeard charged an approaching orc and sunk his axe into its ribcage. The orc swayed

undertheforceoftheblow,butshowednopain.Itraiseditsmace,andcrushedtheolddwarfsskull.Theaxewasstillinitsribs.

Thedwarfsbellowedatthishorrorandchargedtheorcsallaroundtheroom,hackingatthemindrunkenfrenzy.Orclimbsspunaway.Orcbonesshattered.Theorcskeptcoming.Withhandsloppedoffand intestines trailingbehind them,with torsospiercedbyaxesandsmashedbyhammers, theykeptcoming.Theyflailedspasmodicallywiththeirweapons.Cuttingofftheirlegsonlyslowedthemdown.Thentheyclawedforwards,snatchingandsnappingatthedwarfslegsandfeet.

Dwarfsfellwithbashedheadsandcleavedchests,withseveredarmsandsplitbellies.Allaroundthe room, they fought inonesand twosas theorcspushed them towards thecentre fromall sides.Someweremurderedbeforetheywoke.FelixsawNarinhackanorc’sforearmoffattheelbow,andthenduckastheorcswungthestump.Ontheothersideoftheroom,Galinwasbackingawayfromanorcwithfourbulletwoundsinitschestandneck.

“Formup!Formup!”shoutedHamnir.“Formuporwe’relost!”“Lightthelights!”roaredGotrek.“Ican’tfindmyaxe!”FelixglancedattheSlayer.“Gotrek,yourpatchisoverthewrongeye.”Gotreksnarledandpawedathisface.“Well,whoplayedthatfooltrick?”Hepulledtheleather

patch over his ruined socket and blinked around at the chaos in the hall. “Grimnir ’s balls,” hebreathed.“Whathellisthis?”

“Theorcs,”saidFelixdully.“Theyhavecomebackfromthedead.”“It’smadness,”saidGorril.“Nothingstopsthem.They’reunkillable!”“We’llseeaboutthat,”saidGotrekanddrewhisaxefromunderthetable.HamnirsnatchedupthebatteredwarhornofKarakHirnandblewarallycall.Itspuretonewas

lost.Itsoundedlikeabrayingdonkey,butitwasloud.Thedwarfsturnedatitscall.

“Formup!”he cried. “Captains rally your companies!Thanes call your dwarfs!Formup andfaceout!”

Thehornandtheorderhadanalmostmagicaleffectonthedwarfs.AsHamnirandGotrek,FelixandGorrilleaptdownfromthehightableandhurriedacrossthefeasthalltowheretheorcswerethethickest,clansandcompaniesralliedaroundtheirleadersandformedintoranks,facingoutfromthecentreof thehall ina roughsquare.Companiesoverturned tables tomakebarricades,andattackedanddefendedasone.Hamnir,GotrekandtheothersjoinedGorril’sclanbrothersinthethickofthefighting. Felix foundhimself besideGalin, still red-faced drunk and cursing like an entire ship ofsailors.Narinjoinedthemshortly.Hehadacutoveroneeye,andaraggedgashacrossthebackofhisknuckles.Thedwarfsslashedunsteadilybutunceasinglyattheblank-eyedorcs.

Itwasn’tenough.Though they had fallen into formation with an organisation so practiced that it was almost

instinct,thedwarfswerestilltoodrunkandexhaustedtostandagainstanenemythatfeltnopainandwas slowed only by the most grievous wound. Hamnir ’s order had slowed the massacre, but nothaltedit.Notoneoftheorcshadfallen,andthedwarfsweredyingindroves.

Gotrek cut an orc off at the knees. It crawled forwards on the stumps.TheSlayer cursed andjumpedback,slashingatitsarms.

“Wemust fallback,” saidHamnir,hacking ineffectuallyat aneyelessorc.Hisvoicewas tightwithsuppressedpanic.“Wecannotholdhere!”

“Fallbacktowhere?”askedGorril.“Weleftdeadorcsalloverthehold.Ifthey’realllikethis,we’venowheretorun!”

“Wecouldabandonthehold,”saidGalin.“No!”saidHamnir.“ThatIwillnotdo.Notafterallwewentthroughtowinit.”“Whatthen?”askedNarin.“TheDiamondsmithclanhold!”Hamnircriedatlast.“Theirdoorisstillwhole.Wewillretreat

thereuntilwecanrecoveranddecidewhattodo.”“Aye,”saidGorril.“Good.”Hamnirsteppedbackfromthefrontlineandblewthewarhornagain.“Fallback!Fallback!”he

called.“Passtheword.RetreattotheDiamondsmithhold!Throughthekitchenstothestairsandup!”Thedwarf companies began to retire in orderly fashion, forcing a path through the shuffling

orcstowardsthehightableandthedoortothekitchens.The leglessorc caughtGotrek’s ankle ashe tried to followHamnir.TheSlayer stumbledand

nearlyfell.Hebooteditintheface.“Damnedthing!Die!”TheorcshruggedoffGotrek’skickandsnappedathiskneeswithits tusks.Gotrekcursedand

decapitatedit.Itfloppedtotheground,itslimbsstillatlast.“Itstopped,”Gotreksaid,gogglingatitdrunkenly.“Lookout!”FelixdraggedGotrekbackasanorcaxemissedhisneckbyaninch.Gotrekjerked

awayfromFelix’shandanddecapitatedthatorctoo.Itcollapsedlikeanemptysack.Hamnirlaughed,stilldrunkhimself.“You’vedoneit,Gurnisson!You’vefoundtheway.”“Ha!”saidGotrek,indistinctly.“Knewitallalong.”“Thehead!”calledHamnir,upanddowntheline.“Cutofftheheadandthebodydies!Passthe

word!”“Prince,”saidGorrileagerly.“Callofftheretreat!Wecanfinishthem!”“No,” said Hamnir. “We are too tired — too drunk. We will die trying. We must recover

ourselvesfirst.”

Thejourneytotheintactholdwasanightmare.Evenknowinghowtostopthem,theorcswerehard to kill, and more attacked the dwarfs’ flanks at every cross corridor and open chamber,stumblingoutofthedarkinagrey-greentide.Atlast,withorcshemmingtheminoneveryside,thedwarfsreachedthegreatdoorsoftheDiamondsmithclanhold.

Onceagain,Hamnirrappedtheminecodewiththebuttofhisaxeand,onceagain,theywaited,whilethedwarfsheldoffthepressoforcsasbesttheycould.

“Curse them,” said Gorril after five minutes had passed and many brave dwarfs had fallen.“Wherearethey?”

“Nodoubttheysleepsoundly,”saidHamnir,“belliesfullandfreefromfearatlast.”Herappedonthedooragain.

At last there was an answering tap and the doors swung slowly open. Hamnir called thecompanies back one at a time and theymade an orderly retreat into the hold, until only he, Felix,GotrekandGorrilstoodwithGorril’sclanbrothers, fightingoffawallofunblinking,unrelentingorcs.

“Now!Backasone!”Hamnircried.Then,“Thedoors!Closethedoors!”The dwarfs backstepped quickly, ranks still neatly dressed, as the doors swung in. The orcs

pushedforwards,tryingtofollowthem,butthedoorsclosedinexorably,crushingahandfuloforcstopastebetweenthem.Gotrek,FelixandGorril’sladsdecapitatedthefewthatgotin,thedoorswerelockedtight,andallwasquiet.

Hamnirleanedagainstthewall,catchinghisbreath,andthenpushedhimselfwearilyuprightandturnedtothedwarfsrankedupatthereadyinthedimcorridor—allthatremainedoftheforcethathad rallied to helpHamnir retakeKarakHirn not threeweeks ago.Theyweremuch reduced.Thebattleswiththelivingorcsandtheorcsrebornhadmorethanhalvedtheirnumber.

“Well fought, cousins,” Hamnir said, between breaths. “Now come, let us impose on thehospitalityofourrecentlyrescuedbrothers.Wemustrestbeforewecanfightagain.”

The dwarfs parted and turned about, allowingHamnir,Gorril, Felix andGotrek to lead themdownthecorridortothehold’scentralchamber.GalinandNarincamewiththem,havinggrownusedtotravellingwithHamnir.

Felix startedas theyentered thehugehall.ThaneKirhaz,Birri,Fergaand theother survivorswererankeduplikeanarmyinthemiddleofthehall,staringatthemastheyentered.All,eventhewomen,werearmed,ifonlywithfiretongsandrollingpins.

Hamnirsquaredhisshouldersandsaluted them,overcomeat thisdisplay.“This isverybrave,cousins,”hesaid,“comingtoouraidwhenyouareinsuchstraitsyourselves,butthereisnoneed.Wearesafefornow,andoncewehavesleptandrecoveredourselves,wewilldealwiththemenaceinthehold.”

Thesurvivorssaidnothing.Nordidtheymove—theyonlystoodandstared,unblinking.“Kirhaz?” saidHamnir uncertainly. “Birri?Are youwell?Have you room for us to take our

rest?”Kirhazraisedhiscrossbow.Ittrembledinhisshrivelledhands.Hefired—aweakshot.Thebolt

struckHamnirintheshin.“YouthreatentheSleeper,”saidBirri.“Youmustdie.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWOHamnircriedout,asmuchinsurpriseasinpain,andnearlyfell.

“PrinceHamnir!”GorrilcaughtHamnirandheldhimupright.Everyone gaped at the Diamondsmith dwarfs, stunned. Kirhaz dropped his crossbow with a

clatteranddrewhisaxe.HeandBirrimotioned theother survivors forwards.Theyshuffledaheadlistlessly,raisingtheirweapons.

“Thane Kirhaz, Birri, I don’t understand,” said Hamnir, wincing as he put weight on hispuncturedleg.“Whydoyouattackus?WhoistheSleeper?”

KirhazandBirrididn’tanswer.Theirgaunt troopscameon,staringfixedlyatHamnirandhisbeleagueredarmy.Gotrekgrowledwordlessly.

“Grimnir,what’sthematterwiththem?”criedHamnir.“They… they are just like the orcs,” said Gorril. “How can this be? How did we not notice

before?”Hamnirtookastepback.Theothersdidthesame.Theentirearmyedgedawayfromthestrange,

silentdwarfs.“IstheSleeperwhatwesensedinthemine?”askedFelixuncertainly.“Hasitturnedtheirminds

withsorcery?”“Impossible!”saidHamnir,asiftryingtoconvincehimself.“Dwarfslaughatsorcery.Itdoesn’t

affect us.”He called toKirhaz,whowas raising his axe. “ThaneHelmgard, please!Come to yoursenses.Birri,haveyouforgottenourfriendship?Ferga,makethemlisten.”

Fergawalkedbesideherfather,asimplacableastherest,acarvingknifeinherhand.Shedidn’trespond.

Gotrek stared at the approaching dwarfs, his one eye dull and miserable. He put a hand onHamnir ’sshoulder.“They’retainted,scholar,”hesaidsadly.“Idon’tthinktheycanbesaved.”

“What?Whatdoyoumean?”“Imean,”Gotrekpaused,beforegoingon,hisvoicerough.“Wewillhavetokillthem.”“No!”saidHamnir,wild-eyed.“No!Werescuedthem!Wecan’tturnaroundandkillthemnow!I

won’tdoit!”“Theymeantokillus,”saidGotrek.“Theremustbeaway!”Hamnirlookedarounddesperately.A few Diamondsmith dwarfs had reached his lines and were swinging pathetically at their

cousins.Theirblowswereslowandweak.Hamnir ’sdwarfsparriedthemeasily,somecryingouttotheirattackersbyname,beggingthemtostop.Itwouldhavebeentheworkofaninstanttocutthemalldown,butnoneofthedwarfshadthehearttodoit,andinsteadblockedandheldthemoff.

“Thegemcutters’guildhall!”saidHamnirsuddenly,pointingtoanornatedoorwayopenontheleftwall. “Wewill trap them inside, and then descend into themine and findwhat has caused thishorriblechange,this‘Sleeper ’,andkillit!Thentheywillrecover!”

Gotrekshookhishead.“You’refoolingyourself,scholar.They’retoofargone.Lookatthem.”“Howcanyousaythat?”Hamnircried,furious.“Howcanyoucondemnthemwhentheremight

stillbehope?”“Experience.”“Damnyourexperience!Irefusetobelieveitistoolate!Stayyourhand.Iwillnotkillmyown

kin.”

Gotrekgrowledinhisthroat,butdidnotattack.Hamnirwhispered toGorril. “Pass theword.Retreat into the guildhall, rearguard first.When

theyfollowusin,wewill lockthedoorbehindthem,andthenexitoutthereardoorandtrapthemwithin.”

Gorril saluted and hurried to each company, murmuring to their commanders, as more andmore of the shambling dwarfs closed with Hamnir ’s army, and the strange, one-sided battleintensified.Thedwarfswererelievednottohavetoattacktheircousins,andobeyedHamnir ’sorderseagerly. The companies closest to the guildhall door backed through it while those before themprotectedtheirretreat.

Bird,KirhazandFergaangledtowardsHamnirandhiscompanions.Birriraisedhishandandpointed.“Killtheprince.KilltheSlayer.ItisthewilloftheSleeper.”The mindless dwarfs obeyed, turning and joining Kirhaz, Birri and Ferga as they slashed at

HamnirandGotrek,whileallalongthelinetherestattackedHamnir ’stroops.KirhazraisedhisaxeatHamnir.Gotrekknockeditoutofhishands.Felixblockedandparriedas

three dwarfs attacked him. Individually, they were nothing. Together, coming after his drunkenslumbersandthemad,breathlessretreatfromtheundeadorcs,theywerealmostmorethanhecouldhandle. Ifhecouldhave foughtback, thecombatwouldhavebeenover ina second,buthewasasreluctantasthedwarfstoslaythosehehadcometorescue.

BirriaimedasmashatGotrekwithahammer.Gotrekblockediteasilyandkickedathim.Theengineerbarelyseemedtofeelitandstruckagain.Gotrekparriedandkickedharder,frustrated.Birristaggered back and tripped over one of his companions, landing hard on his shoulder.Hewas upagainalmostinstantly.Felixcaughtaglintofgoldaroundhisneck,underhisbeard.

“Gotrek!”Felixcalled,pointingatBirri.“Hewearsatorque.”“What?”criedHamnir,andalmosttookFerga’sknifeinthefaceasheturnedtolook.GotrekcaughtBirri’shammerinabind,andtwisted,disarminghim.“Getit,manling.Getitoff

him.”Felix started forwards, blocking to both sides, but Birri stumbled back behind the other

survivors.“Stopthem!”hemurmured.“Killthem!”The blank-eyed dwarfs turned to do his bidding, getting in Gotrek and Felix’s way as he

retreated.Itwouldhavebeeneasytofollowhimiftheyhadwishedtocutdownthedwarfsinthewaybut

gettingthroughthemwithoutharmingthemwasmoredifficult.“He’stheleader,”raspedGotrekasheproddedthedwarfsback.“NotKirhaz.”“Afterhim,Gotrek,”saidHamnir.“Takehim,butdon’tkillhim.Perhapsthismalaisewilllessen

ifyouremovehistorque.”“Aye,scholar,”saidGotrek,pushingforwardsanotherfoot.“Comeon,manling.”Theybrokethroughat last, justasBirriwasdisappearingintoahallwayonthefarsideofthe

room.GotrekstoleaglancebackatHamnirastheylimpedaftertheengineer.“Toosoft-heartedforhis

owngood.Alwayshasbeen.”Theyenteredthecorridor.Birriwasnowhereinsight.Gotrekcursed.Theyhurrieddownitas

fastas theycould,whichwasn’tveryfast.Theirwounds,andall thedrinkingandfightingtheyhaddonehadtakentheirtoll.Theyhissedandgruntedwitheverystep.

Felixhobbleddownasidecorridorandlookedinanopendoor.Birriwasnotwithin.Hetriedacloseddoor.Itwaslocked.

“Manling,”cameGotrek’svoice.“Backhere.Ihearhim.”Felixreturnedtothemaincorridor.Gotrekwasstartingdownastairwell.Felixfollowed.Atthe

bottomwasanothercorridor.Theylookedleftandright.“There.”Gotrekpointedtotheleft.Felixpeereddownthedimcorridor.Farinthedistance,hecouldseeadarkformshufflingaway

fromthem.“Gotmorestrengththantheothers,”hesaid.“It’sthecollar,”saidGotrek.Theystartedafterhim. Itwasaverysad race.Birrimighthavebeen fitter than the restof the

Diamond-smith defenders, but not by much. He lurched and staggered like a sleepwalker.Unfortunately, Gotrek and Felix were hardly better. They gained on him steadily, following himthrough corridors and chambers, and downwinding stairs, but itwas slow going.Gotrek gruntedwitheachstep,hisdamagedlegasstiffasaboard.Felixwassodizzywithdrinkandwearinessthathehadtokeeponehandonthewalltosteadyhimself.

Theyhadalmostcaughtupwiththeengineerwhenheduckedintoasidepassageandputonaburstof speed.Theyhurried to thecorner in time to seehimscuttle throughawidedoor, throughwhichglowedasteadyorangelight.

Gotrek and Felix limped through the door after him and stopped dead. They were in anengineer ’sworkshop, itshighceilings lostaboveawebofgirdersandgantries,pulleysandheavychains.Thewallswerecrowdedwithworkbenches,kilns,forgesandmachinesthepurposeofwhichFelixcouldn’tevenbegintofathom.Alongthefarwall,copperwatertanks,steamenginesandopencisternsweregroupedaroundalarge,grateddraininthefloor.

Thethingthathadtakenthemabacksatinthecentreoftheroomonalengthofsteeltrack.Ithadonce been an undgrinmine cart.Now, it looked like nothingmore than an enormous iron scarab,crouchingonsix spokedwheels.Curved ironplatescovered it likeacarapace,and themuzzlesofswivelgunsstuckoutthroughslottedopenings.Ahugecannonhungaboveitonchains,waitingtobeloweredintoarevolvinghousingonitsroof.

“Sigmar,”breathedFelix,“it’ssomekindofsteamtank!LikewesawinNuln!”“This ‘Sleeper ’means tomountattacks from theUndgrin,”mutteredGotrek.“With thatat the

headofanorcarmy…”HetrailedoffasBirriappearedontopofthearmouredcartandclamberedforwardstoanopen

turret.Hegrabbedthecrankofastrange,multiple-barrelledgun,andswungittowardsthem.GotrekandFelixdivedforcoverasBirriwoundthecrankandthegunbeganspittingastreamof

bullets.Felixslidbehindaforgeastherainofleadkickeddustofftheflagstoneswherehehadstood.Gotrekcrouchedbehindasmallsmeltingfurnace.Thenoiseofthegunwasdeafening.

“Youonlydelaytheinevitable,”calledBirriovertheclatter.“TheSleeperwillnotbedenied.”“I’lldenyhimtomylastbreath,betrayer,”saidGotrek,lookingaroundattheroom’sequipment.

“Dwarfsaredeadbecauseyousetnewtrapsinthehangarcorridor.”“Defendedthehold,asIhavealwaysdone,”saidBirri,firingovertheirheads.“Howdidthishappen,engineer?”shoutedFelix.“Wheredidyougetthetorque?”“I…”ForamomentBirri’scalmconfidenceseemedtofalter.“Iwantedtogetout.Togethelp.

Toomanygrobiatthemaingate.Usedoursecretdoorandmadeforthehiddenhangardoor.Caught.Fought.Foolish.NonecanfighttheSleeper.Theothersdied.Ifellandwastakenbelow.StillIfought,butat last…at last I accepted thegift.Brought tomybrothers in thehold.”He firedagainandhisvoicestrengthened.“NowIaminvincible.”

“We’llseeaboutthat,”saidGotrek.HemotionedtoFelixandpointedtowinchesboltedintothe

floorneartheirhidingplaces.Felixexaminedthem.Thechainsthatheldthecannonabovethetankcartwoundaroundthem.Gotrekmadeahackinggesture.

Felix nodded, but eyed the heavy chains uncertainly.Gotrekwould sever his in one blow, butcouldhe?

“Joinus,”calledBirri.“Joinusandyouwillbeinvincibletoo.”“Invincible?”saidGotrek,barkingaharshlaugh.“YoutrytotemptaSlayerwiththat?”Heheldupthreefingers,two,andthenone.Felixsurgedupandrolledtohiswinch,raisinghis

sword.Thegatlinggunchatteredtolife.Felixswungdownwithallhismightandtheswordbitdeepintoasteellink,butdidn’tseverit.HecursedasheheardGotrek’schainsnapbehindhim.Thestreamofleadwasspewinghisway.Hehackedagain.

Thechainparted.Felixdived to thesideasbulletssmashed into thewinch.Herolledbehindamassivekilnandlookedup.

The huge cannon was swinging down on its two remaining chains like the clapper of somegiganticbell, loosechains flailing,butbecauseFelix’scuthadbeen late, itdidn’t swingstraight. ItswervedaroundBirrilikeonemagnetrepulsedbyanother.

“Ha!”theengineercried.“Yousee?Invincible!”Thecannonswungtothelimitofitsarc.Withasoundliketwinpistolshots,thelasttwochains

snapped,and thecannoncrasheddownbehind the tankcart, itsbutt-end smashing through the irongrate that covered the huge drain. The cannon dropped out of sight like a crossbow bolt droppeddowntheneckofabottle.Itschainsfollowedit,rattlingviolentlythroughtheirpulleysandlashinglikefurioussnakes.

TheendofachainwhippedaroundBirri’sneckandjerkedhimoffthetankcartsoquicklythatitalmostseemedasifhedisappeared.Felixstoodjustintimetoseethechainwhirintothedrainafterthecannon,draggingBirriwithit.

“Wellstruck,manling,”saidGotrek.They limped across the room to the broken grate and looked down the hole. They could see

nothinginitspitch-blackdepths.“Wheredoesitgo?”askedFelix.“Undergroundstream,likely,”saidGotrek,spittingintoit.“Hopeherotsbeforehedies.”“Itwasn’thisfault,surely”saidFelix.“Thethingtookoverhismind.”“Thenhewasweak.Atruedwarfwouldneverhavebeencorrupted.”Felixraisedaneyebrow.“SoalloftheDiamond-smithclanwereweak?”Gotrekgruntedangrily,andturnedtowardsthedoor.“Let’sgetback.”

Whentheyreturnedtotheclanhold’scentralchamber,nearlyallofHamnir ’sarmyhadretreatedintothe gemcutter guildhall. The last few companies backed slowly towards the big door, entirelysurroundedbythelostdwarfs.

Gotrekshookhishead.“Pointless,”hesaid,butstartedforwardnonetheless.HeandFelixpushedthroughthecrowdoffraildwarfs,disarmingandknockingdownasmany

astheycouldastheywent,andthenjoinedHamnir,Gorrilandtheothersonthefrontline.“WhereisBird?”askedHamnir,betweenparries.“Hefelldownahole,”saidGotrek.“Youkilledhim,Valayacurseyou!”saidHamnir.“Itoldyou—”“Hisinventionskilledhim,”saidGotrek.“Inevertouchedhim.”Hamnirgavehimasuspiciouslook,buttheyhadreachedthedooroftheguildhall.“Weholdhere,”hesaid,andthenturnedtoGorril.“Havetheothersfallbacktothefardoorand

waitbeyondit.Youcirclebackherewithsomeofyourclan.Whenourpoorcousinshavefollowedusin,closethedoorsbehindthem.”

Gorril saluted and hurried to the other companies,whowaited in themiddle of the guildhall.GotrekandFelixjoinedHamnir ’scompanyinholdingthelostdwarfsatthedoor.Itwaseasywork—inoneway,theeasiestbattleFelixhadeverfought—inanother,themostunsettling.Hefendedoffthe feeble attacks almost without thinking, but looking into the faces of the attacking dwarfs washeartbreaking. Traces of their individuality remained in their clothing and ornament— theway aminerbraidedhisbeard,thebroochadwarfmaidworepinnedtoherdress,thescarsandtattoosofahard-bittenwarrior—butitwasgonefromtheireyes.Allhadthesameblank,dullexpressionhehadseenon theorcs’ faces.All foughtwith thesamemindless,passionless ferocity,dampenedonlybytheirlongstarvation.

What made it worse was that, just as had been the case with the orcs, the lost dwarfs wouldsometimescometothemselves.Abriefflashofintelligencewouldlightuptheireyesandtheywouldstart back in dismay at what they were doing, but then, almost as soon as it had appeared, whileGorril’sdwarfswerecallingoutjoyfullyattheirrecovery,theawarenessdied,thedullnesscloudedtheireyesoncemore,and theywouldattackanew.Severaldwarfs fell to thisphenomenon,as theyloweredtheirweaponsandtookanaxeintheneckfromafriendtheythoughthadreturnedtothem.

Atlast,allofHamnir ’sarmypassedthroughthefardooroftheguildhall.Hamnirandtheotherssteppedbackfromthedoorandletthefloodoflostdwarfsspillinafterthem.Theswarmspreadout,trying to encircle the defenders, but theywere slow, andHamnir ’s company easily outpaced them.Indeed, Hamnir slowed somewhat so as to remain almost within reach and keep their attackers’attention upon them. Felix felt like an Estalian bull-dancer waving a red cape at a herd ofsomnambulantbulls.

Whentheyreachedthefardoor,muchnarrowerthanthemainentrance,Gotrekwavedtheothersthrough.“ThemanlingandIwillholdthis.”

Hamnir hesitated, perhaps afraid that Gotrekwould change hismind and start butchering thedead-eyeddwarfs.Thenhenoddedandledtheothersoutthedoor.

Gotrekrefrainedfromslaughter,thoughhelookedmiserableaboutit.“Delayingtheinevitable,”hemuttered.“Onlybeworsewhenthetimecomes.”

He and Felix held the door until the last of the Diamondsmith dwarfs wandered through theguildhall’smainentranceandGorril’sdwarfsclosedthebigdoorsbehindthem.

As theyheard the bars fall into place,Gotrek andFelix jumpedback from the bizarremelee.Hamnir slammed the small door in the faces of theDiamond-smith dwarfs and locked it. Then heleanedhisforeheadagainstitastheybeatlistlesslyatitfromtheotherside.

“Wefoughtsohardtofreethem,”hesaidmiserably,“onlytolocktheminagain.”HeraisedhisheadandlookedatGotrek.“Mythanksforyourmercy.”

“It isn’tmercy,” saidGotrek, disgusted. “It’s torture, for them and for you, and it’s needless.Theywon’trecover.”Heshrugged.“Buttheyareyourkin.”Safe, at least for the moment, with the orcs locked out, and the lost dwarfs locked in, Hamnir ’sbeleagueredarmyslept.Felixwasasleepassoonashelaydown,exhaustedbytheceaselessfightingofthepastday,buthewasagaintroubledbyunsettlingdreams.Theseweretheoppositeofthelast.Insteadofmurderingtheothersintheirsleep,hewasrunningthroughKarakHirnalone,lookingforGotrek.Everydwarfheaskedturnedblankeyesonhimandtriedtokillhim.Hamnir,Gorril,Narin,Galin,allshambledafterhim,armsoutstretched,ashebackedaway,hisheartpounding.

Atlast,hefoundGotrek,sittingintheguardroomneartheHornGate,hisbacktothedoor.Felixopened hismouth to call out to him, but hesitated, overwhelmed by the fear that ifGotrek turned

aroundhetoowouldstareathimwithonevacanteye.Hetookastepfurther,reachingoutanervoushandtowardsGotrek’sshoulder.Gotrek’sheadliftedashesensedFelixbehindhim.Hebegantoturn.Felixshrunkback.Hedidn’twanttosee.Hedidn’twanttoknow.He…

He woke up, his sleep-thick eyes peeling open, and looking around in the dim light ofDiamondsmith’scentralchamber,whereheandGotrekandmostofHamnir ’sforcehadlaiddownthenightbefore.Shoutedquestionsandrunningfeetechoedallovertheclanhold.

Gotrekrolledoverandraisedhishead.“Whatnow?”hemuttered.Felixsatup,groaning.Allhismusclesached.Hiswoundsthrobbed.Hefeltasstiffasaweek-old

corpse,andhalfaslively.Gorril’s lieutenant, Urlo, was picking his way through the rows of waking dwarfs looking

around.WhenhespottedGotrek,hehurriedtohim,goingdownononekneetowhisperinhisear.“Gorrilasksthatyoucomeseehim,Slayer.Itisurgent.”“Gorrilasks?”saidGotrek.“SomethingwrongwithHamnir?”“Er,”Urlolookedarounduneasilyattheotherdwarfs.“Gorrilwilltellyou.”Gotrek grunted, his jaw clenching. “All right.” He pushed himself up, hissing as he bent his

woundedleg.Hecollectedhisaxe.“Come,manling.”Felixnoddedandgotpainfullytohisfeet.HeandGotrekfollowedUrlooutoftheroom.They

couldhardlywalk.“Hamnir ’smissing,”saidGorril.

TheywereinKirhaz’sprivatequarters,whichHamnirhadtakenashisbillet.Gorrilpacedbackandforthbesideaheavydiningtablewhereanuntouchedbreakfasthadbeenset.Urlostoodbythedoor.

“Missing?”askedGotrek.“Sincewhen?”Gorril spread his hands. “He was gone when I went to wake him this morning. I have my

companysearchingtheholdtoptobottom,butsofar,nothing.”“Anysignsofanattack?”askedGotrek.“None.I…”OneofGorril’sdwarfspushedintotheroombehindthem.Hehadanotherdwarfwithhim.“Gorril.Somenews.”Gorril’sdwarfurgedtheotherforwards.“Tellhim,miner.”TheminerduckedhisheadtoGorril.Hehadanastylumpoverhisleftear.“Aye,”hesaid.“Well,

last night Iwasposted towatch the secret door that goes fromDiamondhold’s thirdgallery to themainholdgrainstores.”Heshrugged,embarrassed.“Imusthavedozedabit,becausesomeonegotupbehindmeandgavemeaknockovertheheadthatputmeonthefloor.Iopenedmyeyesjustintimetoseeadwarfgothroughthesecretdoorandcloseitbehindhim.”

“Didyouseewhoitwas?”askedGorril.The dwarf shook his head, and then regretted it. “Just legs and feet,” he said,massaging his

brow,“andallabitblurred.”Gorrilpunchedthetable.“Whendidthishappen?Whydidn’tyoutellsomeoneimmediately.”Thedwarfflushed.“Imeantto,captain,Idid,butsomehowinthemiddleofgettingupoff the

floorI,well, IguessI fellasleepagain.”Heswayedwherehestood.“Coulddowithabitofanapnow,actually.”

Gorrilcrossedtothedwarfandlookedinhiseyes.Hefrowned.“Takehimtothephysic.Hemayhavecrackedhisskull.”Hegrippedthedwarfontheshoulder.“Thankyou,cousin.”

Gorril turned toGotrekandFelix asGorril’sdwarf led theotherout. “Whatdoes thismean?Was itHamnir?Whywouldhegoout alone intoahold fullofgrobi?Could someonehave taken

him?Theguardonlysawonedwarf,buttherecouldhavebeenmore.Didwemisssomeofthelostdwarfs?”He stopped,his facepale. “Grimnir!Have they takenhimbelow? Ishe in themineswiththeir‘Sleeper ’?”

Gotrekwaslookingatthefloor,hisfistsclenched.“Aye.That’smyguess.”Gorrilcursed.“Thenthereisnotimetowaste!Wemustgolookforhim!”Gotrekshookhishead.“No,lad.”Hetappedhimselfonthechest.“Igoafterhim.Youwon’tbe

coming.”“Andyou’llstopme?”askedGorril,eyesflaring.“Hamnirwasmycousin,andmybestfriend.I

can’tstayherewhileIknowhemightbe—”“DoyouwanttoleaveKarakHirnleaderlessagain?”askedGotrek,cuttinghimoff.“You’reall

that’sleft.”“Thereisyou,”saidGorril.“Whydon’tyouleadthem?Inolonger…”“I’m no leader,” Gotrek said. “I’m a Slayer, and there is something in the mine that needs

slaying.Youarealeader,solead.TheholdmustbeclearedoftherisengrobiandguardeduntilKingAlrikreturns.”

“YoumeanuntilPrinceHamnirisfound,”correctedUrlo.Gotrek’sfacetightened.“Aye,orthat.”“Youdon’tthinkyou’llfindhim?”askedGorril,hiseyestroubled.“I’llfindhim,”saidGotrek,“ordietrying,butalive?Inhisownmind?”“Grimnir!”Gorrilswore.“What turnedyourheartsoblack,Slayer?Mustyousnuffoutevery

sparkofhopebeforeithasachancetokindle?”“Hopelies,”saidGotrek,steppingtothedoor.“Onlyafoollistens.Nowgotellyourtroopsthat

Hamnirismissingandreadyyourattackonthegrobi.We’llgooutwhenyoudo.”Gorrilglaredathim,andthensighed.“Verywell,wewillgoinanhour.”Gotreknodded,andheandFelixsteppedoutofthedoor.“Slayer,”calledGorril.Gotrekstoppedandlookedback.“Ifyouhavenohope,whydoyougoon?”Gorrilasked.“Whyslaymonstersatall?”Gotrek’seyegrewhard.“Becausethereisonethinganyonemayhopeforthatwilleventuallybe

grantedthem.”“Andwhat’sthat?”askedGorril.“Death.”Heturnedandwalkeddownthehall.Felixfollowed.“EspeciallyifhefollowsaSlayer,”hemuttered.“Whatwasthat,manling?”askedGotrek.“Nothing.Nothing.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREEHamnir ’sarmywasgrimandsilentasitwaitedinsidetheDiamondsmithhold’smaindoorforGorriltoarriveandthesortietobegin.ThenewsofHamnir ’sdisappearance,ontopofthehorrorandpainof discovering the Diamondsmith clan’s empty madness, had hit them hard. They were moredeterminedthanevertotakebacktheholdandriditofthedreadtaintthatinfectedit,butitwouldnotbeajoyousvictory.Therewouldbenorepetitionofthepreviousnight’sdrunkencelebration.

GotrekandFelixwaitedatthefrontofthecolumn.Theyweretohelpwiththeinitialbreakout,andthensplitoffontheirquesttotheminesonceallthedwarfshadleft.Gotrekwasasdourastherest.Hiseyewasonthefloorandhemutteredangrilytohimself.Felixwonderedwhat,besidestheobvious,wastroublinghim,butdidn’tliketointrude.Itwasn’tpolite,andwithGotrek,itwasn’tsafe.

NarinandGalinpushedthroughthe troopsandstoppedbesideGotrek.Hedidn’tacknowledgethem.

“I’mcomingwithyou,Slayer,”saidNarinatlast.“AndI,”saidGalin.“No,”Gotrekgrunted,apparentlyannoyedatbeingdisturbed.“ThisisSlayer ’swork.”“Andifyouremember,”saidNarin,touchingthesliveroftheShieldofDruttiinhisbeard,“we

bothhaveavestedinterestinmakingsurethatyouarenotslainwhiledoingit.”Gotrekraisedhisheadandturnedabalefuleyeuponhim.“Youwouldrobmeofmydoom?”“Willyouuseyourdoomtocheatusofourgrudgefights?”puffedGalin.“Youcannotdieuntil

youfaceus.Thehonourofourclansdemandsit.”Gotreksnorted.“IputasidemySlayer ’svowuntilnowbecauseof theoath Imade toHamnir

longbeforeI tookthecrest.Now,Imightsatisfybothoathsatonce.Apettysquabbleoverashieldcomesadistantthird.”

“Apettysquabble!”criedGalin.“Heinsultsusanew!”“Youwon’tdissuadeus,Gurnisson,”saidNarin.Gotrekglaredatthem,thenshruggedandturnedaway.“Dowhatyouwill.Justdon’tgetinmy

way.”The ranksofdwarfspartedandGorrilmarchedup thecolumnwithUrloandhiscompany to

take their place at its head. Gorril turned and faced the dwarfs. “I’ve no speech for you, cousins.Remember that they can only be stopped by taking their heads. Fightwell.Diewell.MayGrimnirprotectus.”

ThecompaniesmutteredashortprayerinunisonandGorrilsignalledthewoundeddwarfswhostood at either side of the door. “Lock it behind us,” he told them, “and be sure that we are stillourselvesbeforeyouopenitagain.”

Thedwarfsnoddedandpulledtheleversthatunlockedandopenedthedoors.Theyswungslowlyin.Theundeadorcswerestill there,waiting,aspatientas thegrave,andasfragrant.Theystumpedsilentlyforwards,theirweaponsraised,thestenchoftheirdecayrollinginbeforethemlikeafog.

Thedwarfswerereadythistime.Theywererested.Theyknewwhattodo.Theycutthroughtheorcs outside the door like a hammer through sea foam. Teams of dwarfs worked in tandem, oneknockinganundeadorctoitsknees,theotherloppingitsheadoff.Theorcsdidnotbleed.

GotrekandFelixblockedtheirungainlyattackswithease,disarmingthem—sometimesliterally—andseparatingheadsfromshouldersleftandright.NarinandGalindidthesameattheirsides.

Nomatterhowmany thedwarfs cutdown, themobofwalkingcorpses seemednot to shrink.Theyfilled thebroadcorridor inbothdirections.Thedwarfspushedslowlybutsteadily into them,

winningeveryinchwithadecapitation,untilallthecompanieswereinthecorridor,andthedoortotheDiamondsmithholdclosedbehindthem.

“Right,”saidGotrektoGorril.“You’reout.We’reoff.”“Goodlucktoyou,Slayer,”saidGorril.“BringPrinceHamnirbackalive.”“IfIcomeback,hecomesback,”saidGotrek.HelookedtoFelix.“Whichway,longshanks?”Felixcranedhisnecktoseeoverthehordeofgreen-skins.“Stairstoourleftareclosest.”“Right.”Without anotherword,Gotrek startedhackingapath through theorcs.Felix,Narin andGalin

followedinhiswake,guardinghisbackandtakingafewheadsoftheirownastheywent.Afterfiveminutesofthestrange,bloodlessslaughter,theyreachedthestairsandtheedgeoftheorcmob.Afeworcs followed themdown to the grand concourse, but theywere so slow that the four quickly leftthembehind.

GotrekledthemthroughtheholdtoKingAlrik’schambers.Themineheadswerelockedtight,andtheorcsinsidewereprobablytryingtobreakthroughthem,butwithluck,theholefromthevaulttothekrukhadnotyetbeendiscovered,“withluck”.Felixlaughedatthat.Theirluckhadbeenterriblesofar.Relyingonitnowseemedlikemadness.Still,itwasthebestofthebadchoicesavailable.

Theymetnoresistance.Theholdwasdeserted.TheorcshadallconvergedontheDiamondsmithhallinordertofightthelastofthedwarfs.KingAlrik’squarterswereastheyhadleftthem,minusthegoblinbodies,whichhadapparently risen from thedeadand left to fight.Theypassed through themakeshift tannery into Alrik’s bedchamber, covering their noses against the reek of the piles ofrottinggarbage,andsteppedacrosstothefatpillaronthefarside.

“Onyourguard,”saidGotrek.Felix, Narin and Galin readied their weapons as Gotrek felt around on the filigreed border

besidethepillar.Hefoundthecatchat last,pressedit,andthecolumnscreweddownintothefloor.Therewerenoorcsbehindit.

Felixletoutabreath.Theydescendeddownthewinding,raillessstairintoKingAlrik’sverticalvault.Atthebottom,

Gotrekcrossedresolutelytotheraggedholeinthewall,butNarinandGalinhadahardtimepassingallthevault’streasureswithoutslowing.Theireyeslingeredlonginglyonthebeautifulaxesandsuitsofarmour,andthecasketfullofbloodgold.

“Surelywedeservesomerewardforourselflessservice,”saidGalin,lickinghislips.“Aye,”saidNarin.“What’sanounceofgoldlostwhenwe’vewonhisholdbackforhim?”“Youwantyourrewardbeforeyou’vefinishedthejob?”growledGotrek.Galinshruggedsheepishly.“Onlyajoke,Slayer.”“Aye,”saidNarin,pullinghiseyesreluctantlyaway.“Onlyajoke.”TheyfollowedGotrekthroughthehole,andalongtheroughpassagetheyhadcutsolaboriously

onlyadaybefore,andsointothekruk.Therewasnosignintheabandonedminethattheorcshadyetdiscoveredtheirdiggings,andtheyhurriedthroughthemuntil theyreachedthedoorthat ledtotheminesproper.

Gotrekturnedtothem.“Pointlesskillinggrobiuntilwefindwhat’sbehindthem,sokeepquiet.”“Buthowwillwefindit?”askedGalin.“Itcouldbeanywhere.”Gotrekhelduphisaxe.Therunesonitsheadglowedfaintly.“Theyburnbrighterthedeeperwe

descend.It’llleadus.”HeopenedthedoorandtheysteppedintotheKarakHirnmines.Theysawfewgreenskinsasthey

trekkedthroughcorridorsanddownshafts,manyfewerthantheyhadseenontheirwayupfromtheUndgrin, but it surprised Felix that they saw any at all.He had expected that theywould all be up

batteringatthemineheaddoors,tryingtogetbackintothehold,butineveryforgeandfoundrytheypassed,ateverywork-faceandtailingspit,orcsandgoblinsstilltoiled,makingweapons,machineryandarmour.

ItchilledFelixtothinkofit.Howmanyorcswereemployedherethatsomecouldstillbesparedfromattackingthedoorstocontinueworking?Andwhatsupremeconfidencemustthemindbehindthis enterprise have to carry on with the day-to-day work as if the retaking of Karak Himwas acertainty?Butthen,anymindthatcouldbendthewillofaholdfullofdwarfsandturnthemagainsttheirbrothershadeveryreasontobeconfident.Couldsuchathing,whateveritwas,bedefeated?Ifitcoulddirecttheactionsofanarmyoforcsanddwarfs,whatcoulditdoifitturnedallitspoweruponasinglemanordwarf?

Felix’smindturnedmoreandmoreoftentothishopelesslineofreasoningthedeepertheywentintothemine.Eachleveldown,hismoodgotblackerandhisconvictionthattherewasnowaytheycouldwinthecomingbattlegotstronger.Theknowledgethatthisgloomwasundoubtedlyartificial— an invasion of his consciousness by the thing they sought— did not ease hismind. In fact, itreinforced his fears that the thing was unbeatable. Its ability to twist hismind andmake him feelhopelesswasproofthattherewasindeednohopeofbeatingit.Hechuckledbleaklytohimself.Iftheruneaxewasn’talreadyshowingthemtheway,theycouldcertainlyhaveusedhismoodforaguide.Theblackeritwas,theclosertheymustbe.

Whenhecuthisownthroattheywouldknowtheywereatthesource.Though they said nothing aloud, Felix could tell that the dwarfs were affected by the thing’s

presenceaswell.Theytwitchedandshooktheirheadsasifbesetbymosquitoes,andhecouldhearthemmutteringundertheirbreath.Galinoccasionallymoanedandputhishandoverhiseyes.EvenGotrekwastouchedbythemalaise,thoughheshoweditbycursinginfuriouswhispersandrollinghisshouldersasiftryingtoshrugoffayoke.

Tendeepsdown, three levelsbelow theentrance to theUndgrin, thecorridorsgrewnarrowerand the side passages fewer.Thiswas the newest area of themine,manyof the tunnelswere onlytentative feelers pushed through the rock, looking for fresh seams of ore, and had not yet beenheavilyworkedorexpanded.TheruneonGotrek’saxeglowedsobrightlythattheynolongerneededlamps to see by, and the feeling of dread in Felix’s heart pressed down on him like a giant hand,nearlyparalysinghim.Hefeltasifhisboneshadturnedtolead.Itwasasupremeactofwilljusttoputonefootinfrontoftheother.

As theymade theirwaydownacrampedcorridor,Gotrekpaused.Therewasa lightahead—torch-glowcomingfromanopeningintheleft-handwall.Soundsofmovementcamefromitaswell.

“Backandfindanotherway?”whisperedNarin.“Hideuntilthey’regone?”suggestedGalin.Felixblinkedatthedwarfs.Hehadneverseensuchfearintheirkindbefore.Ofcourse,hefelt

thesame,buthewasonlyhuman.Gotrekspat,disgusted.“Gobackifyouwant,”hesaid.“Thereisnootherway.”Hehelduphis

axe.“Whatweseekisbeyondhere,andIsawnootherbranches.”“Still,”saidGalin,chewinghismoustache,“itmightbewisetocheck.Lookaroundabit.”Gotrekshrugged.“It’llonlybeafewgrobi.”“But,theycouldkillus,”saidNarin.Hewasshaking.Gotreklookedaroundathim,disgusted.“You’reafraidoforcsnow?”“I…No,”saidNarin.Heshookhisheadviolently.“No.What’sgottenintome?Ofcoursenot.”“Iknowwhat’sgottenintous,”saidGalin,quavering.“It’stheSleeper.Itknowswe’recoming.

It’smakingusafraid.Itcanreadourminds.It’shopeless.It’s—”

Gotrekflattenedhimwithalefthook.“Pullyourselftogether,Stonemonger.Whateveritis,ifitlivesandbreathes,itcanfalltoanaxe.”

Galinsatupslowly,rubbinghisjawthroughhisbeard.“I’msorry,Slayer.It’s…it’shardtokeepitout.”

“I told you not to come.Now fight it or go back and leaveme be.”Gotrek turned and easedtowardsthetorch-litopening.Theothersinchedalongbehindhim,weaponsattheready.Felix’slegswereshakingsomuch itwashard towalk.Heknewitwas theSleepermakinghimafraid,but thatdidn’tmakethefearanyeasiertodispel,orhisheartpoundanyless.

Gotrekpressedagainst thewall and leaned forwards topeek into theopening, the lightofhisruneaxehiddenunderhisarm.Hefrowned,watchingthroughthedoorfora longmoment,beforesteppingsilentlypastitandmotioningtheotherstofollow.

The other dwarfs were similarly transfixed as they passed the door. Felix came last, and helooked inwith amixture of curiosity and dread, hismind imagining all sorts of horror and filth.Instead, what he saw was a handful of orcs at the far end of a long, low chamber, assembling awoodencratearoundaridged,resinoussackthesizeofahogsheadofale.Beneathasheenofmucus,ithad the textureand translucent lustreof insectwings.Through it,Felixcouldhalf seesomethingpaleandhalf-formedcurledinside.Therewereatleasttwentyassembledcratessetalongthewallsoftheroom,andenoughunbuilttoholdtwentymoreoftheglisteningsacks.

Thedwarfswhisperedtogetherasafedistancedownthecorridor.“Dozensofthem!”Narinwassaying.“Dozens!”“But…butwhatarethey?”askedGalin.“Andwhatbirthedthem?”Gotrekturneddownthedarkcorridor.“We’llknowinaminute.”Hestartedforwards.Only a hundred feet further along, they came to a crude side tunnel dug in the right wall. It

slanteddownatasharpangleintotheearth.Gotrek’saxeblazedlikeatorchashestoodonthetunnel’sthreshold.“Thisisit,”hesaid.Hemarchedintoit.Felixtriedtofollow,butfoundthathecouldnot.Awaveoffearanddespair

stronger thananythathadpreviouslywashedoverhimturnedhis legs to lead.His little jokeaboutcuttinghisthroatwassuddenlynojoke.Hewassofrightened,andsocertainthatwhateverwasattheendofthetunnelwouldnotonlykillhimbutturnhimintoamindlessmonsterthatwouldturnonhisfriendsandspreadtheSleeper ’sinfluencefarandwide,thathewantedtopushhisdaggerthroughhisneckjusttomakeanendofhismiseryandsavetheworld.Hewantedtotearhiseyesoutsothathewouldn’t have to see it, but his hands were shaking too hard. Narin and Galin were similarlyparalysed.

Gotreklookedbackatthem.“Whatnow?”“Don’tyoufeelit,Slayer?”askedNarin,histeethchattering.“Areyoumadeofstone?”“Ifeelit,”saidGotrek,“buttheworstthatcanhappenisthatwedie,andthat’sbeentruesincewe

leftRodenheim.”“Death isnot theworst,”chokedGalin.“Itwill takeus. Itwillmakeus like theDiamondsmith

clan.Itwillturnusagainstourownkind.”“Itwill,ifyoujuststandthereandquake,”saidGotrek.“Stopthinkingandstartwalking.That’s

theonlyway.”Heturnedandstarteddownthetunnelagain,andwhetheritwasGotrek’swords,orthemerefact

thatlisteninghadfreedhimmomentarilyfromthebottomlessspiralofhisimaginings,Felixfoundthat hewas able tomove again.Narin andGalin too started after the Slayer, following the tunneldeeperintotheearth,straightasanarrow.

“Thisisorcwork,”mutteredNarin,“butorcsneverduganythingthisstraight.”

Ahundredyardsdown,thetunnelstoppedatawallofpolishedbasaltblocks,mirrorsmooth,andsowellsetthatitwasalmostimpossibletoseethejoinsbetweenthem.Awide,lowdoor,narroweratthetopthanthebottom,openedintoapitch-blackchamber,aborderofstrangesymbolsallaroundit.

“Thisisold,”saidGalin,caughtbetweenwonderandhorror,“olderthandwarf-kind.Whatmadethis?”

“Not dwarf, norman, nor elf,” saidNarin. “That’s certain.” He pointed at the symbols. “Arethosewardsmeanttokeepsomethingout,orsomethingin?Isthisatemple,oratomb?”

“Whateveritis,”saidGotrek,“itshouldhavestayedburied.”Hesteppedthroughtheblackdoor.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOURFelix,GalinandNarinfollowedGotrekintotheburiedbasaltstructure.Felixhadtoduckunderthelow lintel. The red light of the rune axe reflected darkly from the glossy blackwalls, revealing alargeoctagonal roomwithmoreof the low trapezoidal doorways leadingoff intodarkness.Felixshuddered.TherewasafeelingofunfathomableageabouttheplacethatremindedhimofthetunnelsoftheOldOnesthatheandGotrekhadalmostlostthemselvesinduringtheirtravelswithTeclis.Itmadehimfeelveryyoungandsmallandinsignificant.

Somethingabout the scaleof thedoorsmadehim realise that theplacehadnotbeenbuilt foranythingthatwalkedontwolegs.Foramoment,hetriedtoimaginewhatitmighthavebeen,butthenhestoppedhimself.Followingthatlineofspeculationwouldsendhimscreamingupthetunnelagain.

Itwas almost comforting to see signs of orcish occupation in this alien place.Orcsmight behorribleviscousmonsters,buttheywerefamiliarhorrible,viscousmonsters.Longplankshadbeenlaidoverawidecircularholeinthecentreoftheroomtomakeabridge,andatrailofdust,pebblesandorcfootprintscrossedfromthedoorthatFelixandthedwarfshadenteredtoanotherinthefarwall.Theplacehadthefamiliarstinkoforctoittoo—aharshanimalstench,mixedwiththereekofdeathandrottinggarbage.

“Howdidtheorcsknowthiswashere?”askedFelix,staringaround.“Howdidtheyfindit?”“Theydidn’t,”saidGotrek.“Itcalledthem.”“Gurnisson,”saidNarin.“Hideyouraxeamoment.IthinkIseelight.”Gotrektuckedtheheadofhisaxeunderhisarm,blockingtheglowoftheruneandplungingthe

roomintodarkness.Ashiseyesgotusedtothedark,Felixsawapalegreenphosphorescencecomingfrom the far door, so dim that itwas hard to be surewhether itwas really there.Then somethingblockedit.Hugeshadowshunchedrapidlytowardsthemalongthehall.

“Something’scoming!”saidGalin.GotrekunshieldedhisaxeasFelix,NarinandGalinwentonguard.Outofthefardoorducked

sixhugemutatedorcs,eachthesizeofthewarbosstheyhadfacedinthegrandconcourse,theirblackfaceted eyes glittering red in the rune-glow.A choking rotten egg smell wafted from them like acloud.

Felixandthedwarfsgaggedandcoveredtheirmouthsastheorcsspreadout,movingtoencirclethemandheftingtheirweapons.

“Grungni!”saidNarin.“Thesearen’torcsanymore.They’vebecomesomethingelse.”“Mutants,”spatGalin.“TaintedbyChaos.”It was true. The mutations that had twisted the war-boss were fully realised in the hideous

creatures that faced them now.Where the warboss had been pale, these were dead-fish white andglistened with a sticky sheen. Where he had been covered in lumps and tumors, these sportedtranslucentbarbs andhornsgrowing from their skulls and shoulders likemilky icicles.Onehadaringoftinytentaclessproutingfromthecentreofitschestaroundasuppuratingstoma.Theirarmswere longanddistorted, reachingalmost to theground,and their forearmswerecrustedoverwithspinedglassinecarapaces,liketheshellsofalbinocavecrabs.Goldandonyxglintedattheirnecks.

Gotrekranhisthumbalongthebladeofhisaxe,drawingblood.Hegrinned.“Nowthiswillbeafight.”

“It’llbeaslaughter!”moanedGalin.“Theyhavetorques.Allofthemhavetorques.They’reallinvincible.Thisistheend.”

“Shutup,”saidGotrekangrily.“Wetakethemoffisall.”

“Andcuttheirheadsoff,”saidNarin,grimly,“tomakesuretheydon’tattackagainafterthey’redead.”

“Manling,withme,” saidGotrek. “Take the collars and I’ll kill them.Galin, do the same forNarin.Go!”

GotrekandFelixranattheorcstotheirleft,whileNarinandGalinrantotheright,butitwasimpossible. The orcs seemed to know instantly what they intended, and when Felix tried to edgearound the first, the others attackedhimandnotGotrek.Hehad to skip like a schoolgirl to avoidgettinggutted.Gotrekgotintheorcs’wayandheldthemoff,buttheywereimmenselystrongaswellasuntouchable,andforcedhimback.

Galin and Narin were having the same trouble. They fell back before the other three orcs,dodging and parryingmadly, then ducked aside and ran for the other side of the room. The orcsfollowed.

“Notworking,Gurnisson!”calledNarin.FelixreturnedtoGotrek’sside,slashingaroundhimwithallhismight, thoughheknewitwas

pointless.Hisswordskimmedofftheorcs’slimywhitefleshasifitwasstone.“Tryagain,”gruntedGotrekashebashedattheorcs.Felixnoddedandmadetocirclebehindtheorcs,buttheywereonhimagaininaninstant.Hefell

back.Onthefarsideofthecoveredhole,GalinandNarinweretryingtoavoidbeingcornered.Felixlookedattheholeagain,andtheboardsthatcoveredit.“Thehole!”hecried.“What?”saidGotrek.Felixbrokeawayandrantothehole.Hedroppedhisswordandstartedheavingasidetheplanks.

Awaveofdeathreekrushedupathimlikeapunchinthenose.Undertheplanks,theholedroppedstraightdownforabouttenfeet.Sigmaronlyknewwhatitsoriginalpurposehadbeen,butitwasagravenow.Heapedatthebottomwereascoreoforccorpses,sooldandrottenthattheirskeletonswereshowingthroughtheirputrefyingflesh.

Felixcursed.He’dhopeditwassomesortofwell.Theorcswouldclimboutofthisinaninstant.“Watchout,manling!”Felixrolledasideinstinctivelyasanorccleaverslasheddownathim.Itsplinteredtheplankhe

hadbeenabouttolift.Theorcswungathimagain.Felixdivedlowandrolledpastit,snatchinguphisswordashecametohisfeet.

“Goodthinking,”saidGotrek,backingawayfromtheothertwo.“Narinsson!Olifsson!Cleartheboards!”

“No.Won’twork,”gaspedFelix,duckinganotherswipe.“Notdeepenough.They’llclimbout.Unless…”Anideacametohim.HeleaptbacktoGotrekandsnatchedtheunlitlanternfromhisbelt.Thenhedodged around theorcs to thehole again and smashed it on the rim.Theglass reservoirinsidethetincaseshatteredandoilleakedout.Felixshookitalongtheedgeoftheholeuntiltheorclungedafterhim.Hethrewthelanterninitsfaceandsquirmedpastit,barelydeflectinganoverhandbash.

Theorcturnedforanotherattack,slippedontheoil,recoveredandcameafterhim.Felixbackedawayfromit,smashinghisownlanternashehadGotrek’s,andsprinkledanotherstretchofthelipwith oil. The orc’s axe smashed black splinters out of the basalt floor an inch from his foot. Hejumpedawayagain.

Astheorclumberedafterhim,Felixmarvelledathowclearhisheadwas.TheSlayerhadbeenright. Once the fighting had started, his fear had fallen away. It wasn’t gone, coils of dread stillslitheredinFelix’sstomach,butitwasn’tall-consumingnow.Hecouldthink.Hecouldart.Hedidn’twanttogiveup.Hedidn’twanttodie.

Onthefarside,NarinandGalinweretryingtoobeyGotrek’sorderandpulluptheplanks,butwith threeorcschasing them, theyweren’thavingmuch luck.Theywere toobusydodgingaxes tograbtheboards.

Gotrek backed towards the hole, luring his two orcs forwards. At the edge, he feinted left,sendingonelurchingtothesidetotrytoblockhim,andthenveeredbackandchoppedattheother ’smidsection.

Theorctookthebladeoftheruneaxeonitsexposedwhitefleshwithnomorethanagrunt,andsteppedintoswingitsponderousaxeatGotrek’shead.TheSlayersurgedforwardsundertheslash,ramminghis shoulder into theorc’sgutandpressingupat itwith thehaftofhisaxe,held inbothhandslikeastaff.

PropelledbyGotrek’s lift and itsown forwardmotion, theorcwentupandover theSlayer ’sback,andcamedownwithasmashontheremainingboards.Theysnappedlikedrytwigsunderitsenormousweightanditfellintothehole,landingonthemoundsofitsrottingkin.

Gotrek’ssecondorcchargedhim,maceraised.Gotrekrolledleft,outoftheway.Themutatedgreen-skintriedtostopandturn,butheslippedonthespilledoilandskiddedintothehole,landingontopofthefirst.

GalinandNarinranpastGotrekalongtheedgeoftheholewiththeirthreehulkingpursuershoton their heels. The dwarfs deftly avoided the drips of oil, but the lead orc was not so nimble. Itcrasheddownonitsback,rightarmandleghangingovertheedgeofthehole.Felix,backingawayfrom his orc, saw the opportunity. He ran and kicked the orc in the side. It slid into the hole,scramblingwithitstransparentclawsattheslipperyedge,beforedroppingovertheside.

Felixspunandduckedabashfromhisorc’scleaverandfoundhimselfbacktobackwithGotrek,GalinandNarin.Thethreeremainingorcssurroundedthem.Behindthem,corpse-whitehandswerereachingupandpawingattherimofthehole,tryingtogainpurchaseontheslipperybasalt.

“Evened theodds,” saidGotrek,approvingly.“Now,you threekillone,while Ihold theothertwo.”

“Youcanholdtwo?”askedNarin.“Dependshowquickyoukilltheone,”saidGotrek.“Go!”SuddenlytheSlayerbecameawhirlwindofflashingsteel,theredglowoftheruneaxeleaving

curvingcomettrailsinscribedonFelix’sretinaashepushedtwooftheorcsbackwithsimplebruteferocity.

Felix, Narin and Galin attacked the third orc, doing their best to emulate Gotrek’s ceaselessassault.Felixdodgedbehind itsbackand reached for its torque. It jerkedawayandslashedathim.Felixdancedback,ahairaheadofitsaxe,andNarinmadeagrabforthetorquefromtheotherside.ItspunbackasNarinducked.TheaxecutahornoffNarin’shelmet.ThefightremindedFelixsuddenlyofsomechildren’sgame,adeadlyversionoftagorkeep-away.

Helunged inagain,and this timegothis fingersaroundthegoldcirclet.Hepulled,but itwastight, cuttingdeeply into theorc’s slimy, cable-muscledneck.Thebrute twisted aroundand caughtFelix on the side of the head with his carapaced forearm. White sparks exploded behind Felix’seyelidsandhecrashedtotheground,butthetorquecamewithhimashefell.

Hedimlysawtheorcraiseitscleaveroverhimforthedeathstroke.Thenitgruntedanddroppedto its knees, thick, clear blood gushing from its mouth as Galin chopped through its spine. Felixflinchedandstuckhis swordupas theorcpitched forwardson topofhim.Thepoint sank into itswhitegutuptothehilt.

NarinrolledthecorpseoffFelix,andGalinsevereditsneck.Felixstoodunsteadilyandtuggedhisswordfree.Thesideofhisheadwasrunningwithblood.Theworldseemedtilted.Hetossedthe

torqueaside.“Welldone,manling,”saidNarin.“Onlyfivemoretogo,”grinnedGalin.“Hurry,you jackdaws!”shoutedGotrek.The twoorcshad theSlayerpressedagainst thewall,

andhewasblockinganddodgingforallhewasworth.Narin,GalinandFelixrantohelp.Astheypassedthehole,oneofthefallenorcshookeditsaxe

overthelipoftheholeandanotherstartedclimbingitsback.“Grimnir!”cursedGalin.“They’recomingout!”“Goon,”saidFelix.“Ihavethis.”Hegrinned.Thiswasnottobemissed.AsNarinandGalinranon,hesteppedtotheedgeofthe

hole and reached out over the climbing orc’s head for its torque.The brute snapped at him. Felixjerkedhishandback,andtriedagain.

Thistimehegotit,andrippeditfromtheorc’sfilthyneck.“Ha!”hecried,tossingitasideanddrawingbackhisswordtochopitsheadoff.

TheorcthrewoutitsunnaturallylongarmandcaughtFelix’sankle,yankingit.Felixslammedflatonhisback,his swordbouncingawaywithaclang.Theorcgot itsotherhandupand tried toleveritselfoutofthehole,butitspalmslippedontheoilanditstartedslidingslowlyback,draggingFelixwithit.Felixthrewhisfreelegoutandtriedtodiginwithhisheel,buttheoilwasunderfoot.Hecouldn’tgetpurchase.Theorcwaspullinghiminexorablytowardsthebladeoftheaxethatthefirstorchadhookedinthelipofthehole.Thebladewasgoingtocuthimintwofromballstobrains.

Felixflailedforhissword.Hecouldn’treachit.“Gotrek!”Thedwarfsweretoobusywiththeotherorcs.Theydidn’thearhim.“Gotrek!”Gotreklookedaround.Hiseyeblazed.“Curseyou,manling!Howdoyougetinto…”He broke away from the fight and ran to the hole. His two opponents charged after him,

shoulderingNarinandGalintothefloorasiftheywerechildren.TheyseemedtounderstandthattheSlayerwastheirgreatestthreat.

The climbingorcwasbackslidingquickly, its transparent nails scraping across the oily stonelike shards of glass. Felix slidwith it, his crotch inches away frombeingbifurcatedby the razor-sharpaxe.

Gotrek slammed his blade down on the climbing orc’s wrist, and then dodged aside, inchesahead of his pursuers. Felix’s orc fell back into the hole, stump spurting clear blood, and Felixcrabbedbackfromtheaxeblade,theseveredwhitehandstillgrippinghisankle.Nearthewall,NarinandGalinweregettingtotheirfeet.

Gotrekspuntofacehisattackers,battingasideoneslashanddodginganother.Theyhammeredathimunceasingly,pushinghimbacktowardsthehole.

AsFelixsnatcheduphissword,hesawtheorcwhohadhooked itsaxe in therimof theholetryingtoclimbitshaft.Felixkickedtheaxe-headontheflat.

Itscreechedacrossthefloor,cuttingawhitelineinthebasalt,anddroppedofftheedge.Theorctumbledbackontoitsmates.

FelixstoodasNarinandGalinrantohelpGotrek.Narinbashedtheleftorconthespine.Galinranstraightupthebackoftheoneontherightandgrabbeditstorquewithhisthickfingers.Theorcspun, hacking at him. Galin flew off and crashed to the floor, his head bouncing off the stoneflagstoneswithahollowthud.Thegoldbandflewfromhislimphandandskitteredacrossthefloor.

Theorcclappedahandtohisbareneck,grunting.Gotrekswungforitsface.Itgrabbedhisarm,but not quickly enough. The axe blade imbedded itself between its eyes.With a gurgling sigh, it

toppledbackwardsintothehole,stillclutchingGotrek’sarm.TheSlayerandtheorccrasheddownonthemoundofrottingbodiesastheorcsinthepitleaptaside.

“Gotrek!”Felixcried.But he had his ownproblems.The second orcwas after him, swipingmightilywith itsmaul.

With its elongated arms, its reachwas incredible.Narinharried it from the rear, but it still had itstorque,andhisblowsdidnothing.Galinlaybehindthem,bloodstreamingfromthebackofhishead,strugglingtoregaincontrolofhislimbs.Soundsoffuriousfightingcamefromthehole.

“Getbehindit,Jaeger,”saidNarin.“Ican’treachitsneck.”“Easiersaidthandone.”Felixduckedunderawildswingandtriedtosliptotheorc’srear,butit

turnedwithhim.Narinjoinedhiminfrontoftheorc.“I’llholdhim.Move.”Felixslippedleftagain.Theorcturned,butNarinhookeditskneewithhisaxe,slowingit.The

orc turned back and swung atNarin to dislodge him, andFelix got behind it.Narin skipped back,laughing,asthemaulruffledhisblondbeard.

“Comeonyouunnaturalbrute!”hejeered.“Can’tyouseewiththoseeyes?”Felixleaptontheorc’sback,hisswordarmarounditsthroat,andgrabbedthetorque.Theorcbucked,tryingtothrowhimoff.Felixheldon,hislegsfloppingandbanging,andpulled

again.Thetorquecamefree.“Ha!”Narinranin,axehigh,andchoppedintotheorc’schest,shatteringitsribs.The orc roared and spasmed, as if it had regained its orcish fury in themoment of death. It

swung its maul and hit Narin’s chest with a sound like a melon popping. The dwarf and the orccollapsedtothefloorasone,theirbloodmingling.

“Narin!”criedGalin.Theengineerwassittingup,alumplikeableedingplumonthebackofhishead.

FelixfoughtbacknauseaandsadnessasheblinkedattheredruinofNarin’schest.Therewasnotimetomourn.Gotrekwasstillinthehole.Herantothelip,skiddingtoastopjustshortofthespillofoil,andlookeddown.

Theorcwith theseveredhandwasdead.Gotrekfought theother twoonthemoundofrottingcorpses,whichmovedandshiftedwith theireverystep.TheSlayerwasbleedingandbattered.Theorcsdidn’thaveascratchonthem.

Galin joinedFelixat theedge.He lookedunsteadilybackatNarin. “Poor lad,”he said. “Diedwell,foranIronskin.”

Gotrekdodgedbehindanorc,putting it in thewayof theother.Theystumbledaroundon theuncertainfooting,tryingtoclosewithhimagain.Itlookedasiftheyhadbeenperformingthisdancefor a while. Gotrek staggered and nearly caught an axe between the eyes. “Get their torques!” heraspedoverthedinofsteel.

Felixnodded.“Yes,getthetorques,buthow?Jumpingintothepitwasnotanoption.TherewasbarelyenoughroomforGotrekandtheorcs,andifhetriedtoleaninovertheoilyedgeandgrabone,he’dfallin.Heneeded…Theplanks!Galin!Aplank!Helpme!”

FelixsteppedtooneoftheplankshehadheavedasideearlierandtookuponeendasGalintooktheother.Theylaiditacrossthehole.

“Holditsteady,”saidFelixashesteppedoutoverthehole.Galin nodded and sat on one end. Felix carefully lowered himself to his chest on the narrow

board,andslidoutalongit.Theorcsfoughtrightbelowhim,butdidn’tlookup.Theyweretoointenton killingGotrek. Felix reached down a hand towards one.His fingers brushed the torque, but hecouldn’tgraspit.Hestrainedfurther.TheorclungedatGotrekandcircledaway,takingthetorqueout

ofhisreach.Felixcursedsilently.Itwasliketryingtopluckabrassringoffthehornofarampagingbull.

Theotherorcmovedunderhim,anglingforGotrek’sflank.Felixstraineddownagain.TheorcdodgedbackandforthasittriedtocornertheSlayer.Felixedgedhischestofftheboardforabetterreach.Theorcbackedup—rightintoFelix’shand.Hegrabbedthetorque.Theorcjerkedforwards,turningtoseewhowasbehindit,andthetorquecamefree.

Gotrekstrucktoofasttosee.OnemomenttheorcwaslookingblanklyupatFelix;thenext,itsheadwasflyingfromitsshoulders.Itcollapsedlikearuinedtower.

Theotherorcalsostruckquickly,swingingatGotrek’sbackinthesameinstantthattheSlayercutdownitscomrade.Gotrekdivedtothesideandthecleavercutaraggedslicethroughthemeatofhisleftshoulder.Heslammedintothewallandfellamongthecorpses.

Theorc spun to finishhimoff, raisinghis axeoverhishead, right atFelix!Felixyelpedandpushedhimselfup.Theaxemissedhisnosebyinches,butsmashedthroughtheplank,splittingitintwo.ThetwoendstippedintotheholeandFelixwentdownwiththem,crashingontopoftheorc.Heclutchedatitsarm,asmuchtosavehimselffromfallingastostopitsswing.

Theorchardlywavered.Felix,danglingfromtheslimybicepofitsaxearm,staredinterroratthegreen-skin’swhite,hornedface.Itwaslikeclingingtoagreasedstatue.

Gotrek lurched up from themound of corpses. His left armwas red to the wrist. He startedunsteadilyacrosstheshifting,stinkingground.“That’sit,man-ling!Holdit.”

Felixlaughedmirthlessly.Holdit?Theorcpluckedhimofflikeamanpickinglintfromhissleeve,andheldhimupbythethroat.

Felixkickedand fought,chokingas themassive fingers tightenedaroundhiswindpipe.Heslashedwithhisswordattheorc’sface.Theblowglancedoffharmlessly.Theorcdidn’tevenflinch.ItdrewbackitsaxetocutFelixinhalf.Gotrekfellasheputhisfootthrougharottenribcageandslippedonputridorgans.Hewasn’tgoingtomakeitintime.

“Hoy!Arsebreath!”Galin launchedhimself from the rimof theholeandcaught theorc’saxearminabearhug.Theorcstumbled,itsweapondrooping.

“Comeon,Slayer!”roaredGalin.Theorcshookitsarm,tryingtodislodgethedwarf.Heheldfast.Gotrekwasgettingtohisfeet.Felix slashed at the orc’s head again, the world dimming around him, the torque winking

tauntinglyathim,onlyasword’slengthaway.Asword’slength?AstheorcslammedGalinagainstthewall,Felixstabbedatitsneckwithhissword.Itspointslid

acrosstheslickwhiteskinasifitwasmarble,andwedgedunderthetorque.TheorcbashedGalinintothewallagain.Bloodflewfromthedwarfsmouth.Felixpushedhis

blade under the torque and twisted. Another bash and Galin dropped, stunned. The torque wasn’tcomingfree.TheorcswungitsaxeatFelixTherewasnoescape.

“Noyoudon’t!”Sparksflewasaredandsilverstreakflashedinthewayoftheorc’sstrike.Thecleaverskimmed

aninchoverFelix’shead.Gotrek!Theorc grunted and raisedFelix up as he swung atGotrek.Through the roaring in his ears,

Felixheardajingleofmetalrattlingagainstmetal.Gotrekkickedtheorcbetweenthelegs.Fool,thoughtFelixdimly.Axescan’thurtit.Whywould

aboot?But theorcgroanedand letgoofFelix’sneck.Gotrekhacked itsheadoffwithagruntingbackhandasFelixfellamongstthecorpses.Theorcsanktoitskneesandpitchedforwards,itsheadrollingdownitsback.

Gotreksatdownheavilyonthechestofanotherorc.Thewoundinhisshouldergushedred.“But,how?”whistledFelixthroughhiscrushedthroat.“Ididn’tgetthe—”“Didn’t you?” Gotrek pointed at Felix’s sword. The greenskin’s torque dangled from his

quillions.Gotrekshookhisheadandwipedhisbrow.“Grimnir ’sbeard,whatascrap.”Heraisedhisvoice.

“Ironskin!Lowerarope.”“Narin…Narinisdead,”saidGalin,sittingupandclutchinghishead.“Dead?”saidGotrek.Hisfacehardened.Felixstood,massaginghisthroat.Hecouldhardlyswallow,andhisheadthrobbedabominably.

“Thank…thankyou,Gotrek.Iwouldbe…”Gotrekshrugged.“Thankyourself.Thatkickwouldn’thavedonea thing ifyouhadn’tgot its

cursed torqueoff.”He stoodandpickeduponeof thebrokenplanks.Hegroundedoneend in thefloorofcorpsesandleanedtheotheragainstthewall.“Let’sgetoutofthisstink-hole.”

Onebyonetheycrawledupthenarrowboardandoutofthepit.Whenhereachedthetop,GotreklookedatNarin,lyinginhisownbloodundertheorchehad

slain,andshookhishead.“Stubbornfool.Toldhimnottocome.”“Gotrek…”cameaweakvoice.“He’salive!”saidGalin.They crossed to the dying dwarf, their boots splashed in his blood. His ribs rose from his

smashedchestlikebrokenwhitefingersfromaredstew.Helookedupatthem,grinningglassily.“WellI…Ididit.Escapedbeingthane.Escapedmy…

wife.Myconjugalbed.”Itwasaneffortforhimtogetthewordsout.“TellmyfatherI’msorryI…Ididn’tgivehimanheir.Butnot…very.”Helaughedwetly,bloodsprayingfromhismouth.

Gotrekknelt.“Aye,I’lltellhim.”“And…givehimhissplinterback.”Hishandfumbledintheblood-mattedmessofhisbeardand

tuggedout thecharredsliverof theShieldofDrutti. “TellhimI…wishhimgood luck fighting…you.”

“I’lltellhimthattoo.”GotrektuckedthepieceofwoodinhisbeltpouchandtookNarin’shand.“Mayyourancestorswelcomeyou,NarinNarinsson.”

Narinwasalreadydead.Gotrekandtheothersloweredtheirheads.Felixcursedsilently.Hehadlikedthesharp-tongueddwarf.Certainly,hehadteasedandinsulted

Felix like all the rest, but it had been different coming from him somehow— the easy familiarribbingofanoldfriend,notthesullendistrustoftheoutsiderthathehadfeltfromtheothers.

Therewasafootstep.Felixandtheotherslookedup.Thesurfacesoftheroomweresohardthatitwasdifficulttotellfromwhatdirectionthesoundhadcome.

“Who’sthere?”askedGalin,lookingaround.“Showyourself!”AllthedreadthatfightingtheorcshadpushedawayclosedaroundFelix’sheartagain.Thehairs

raisedonthebackofhisneck.Theorcshadonlybeenservantsofthethingtheywereheretodestroy.Theystillhadyettofacethemaster—athingsopowerfulitcouldwarp,notonlythemindsofitsminions,butalsotheirbodies.

Anotherstep.Ashadowyfigureappearedinthefardoor.Theyturnedtofaceit,weaponsattheready.ItsteppedintotheredlightofGotrek’saxe.

“Hamnir!”criedGalin.“Hamnir,youlive!”“Welcome,friends,”saidHamnirslowly.“Welcometotherealisationofourdreams.”Throughthepartingofthedwarfprince’sbeardFelixcouldseeaglintofgold.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVEGalingroaned.Gotrekgruntedlikehe’dbeenshot.Felixstared.

Hamnir drifted forwards in a somnambulant glide, spreading his hands. “I am sorry yourwelcomehasbeensoviolent,butyouhaveslainsomanyofus that theSleeperwas threatenedandsoughttoprotectitself.”

“PrinceHamnir,”saidGalin,steppingforwards.“Whathasitdonetoyou?Takeitoff.”Hamnirtouchedthetorquearoundhisneck.“Thisisthegreatesthonoureverbestoweduponme.

Iwearitwithpride.”“Takeitoff,damnyou!”Galinwasredintheface.Thereweretearsinhiseyes.“It’sathingof

Chaos!Fightit!”“Donotthreatenme,”saidHamnir,calmly.“TheSleeper…”“A plague take the Sleeper! Take it off!”Galin launched himself atHamnir, reaching for his

neck.Quickerthantheeyecouldfollow,HamnirdrewhisaxeoffhisbackandlashedoutatGalin.The

bladecutthroughGalin’sarmourandhisribsasiftheyweresomuchpaperandtwigs.Theengineerfellback,deadbeforehehitthefloor.

“Donotthreatenme,”saidHamnir,ascalmlyasbefore.FelixandGotrekstaredashecleanedhisaxeonGalin’sbeard.Hetookanother torquefromhisdoubletandlookedup.Hehelditout toGotrek.“TheSleeperdoesnotwishtokillyou,Gotrek.Youarestrong.Youwillbeagreatassetinthecomingstruggle.Takethisandjoinus.”

Gotrekclosedhiseye.Hisheaddrooped.Felixhadneverseenhiminsuchpain.“Ranulfsson,”hesaid,hisvoicerough.“Hamnir,takeitoff.Fightit.Youareadwarf:aprince,notaslave.”

“Iamstillaprince,”saidHamnir,“aprincethatfollowsagreatgod.Takethetorque,Gotrek,andyouwillsee.”

“No,scholar,”saidGotrek.“Ihavenomaster,dwarf,godordaemon.”HeraisedhiseyesandglaredatHamnir.“Nowtakeitoff,orI’lltakeitoffforyou.”

“Listen tomeGotrek,” saidHamnir,hiseyes shiningwith the fireofazealot. “Forhow longhavethefortunesof thedwarfsbeenonthewane?Forhowlonghavewelostholdafterhold?Forhowlonghavewecededterritoryandpowertoelvesandmen,andevenvileskaven?Withthetorquecomesstrength, invulnerability.Nothingwill stand inourway.With thegrobiasourslaves, todigouroreandworkourfoundries,wewillbecomemightiereventhanwewereinthegoldenage!”

“Hamnir…”saidGotrek,butHamnirwasn’ttobeinterrupted.“TheSleeperenlistedfirstthegrobi,becausetheirmindsaresimpleandeasilyreached,buteven

withitsenlightenedleadership,anempireofgrobiwillnotstand.Theycannotbetaughtmorethanthemostrudimentaryskills.”Hesteppedcloser.“Butthedwarfs,thedwarfsareagreatrace,aracewhowillnotbeslaves,butequalpartnersinashareddestiny.Itwillgiveusitsstrengthandpowerandthewisdomofagesbeyondreckoning,andallitasksinreturnistosharethetorqueswithourkinandtobringitschildrentoeveryholdwevisit.”

“Itschildren?”growledGotrek.“Didyounotseethemasyoucame?”askedHamnir.“Evennowthegrobireadythemfortravel.

SoonthesteamcartswillcarrythemalongtheUndgrintoeveryholdintheworld.”Heheldoutthetorque again. “Take it, Gotrek.All your doubt, your blackmoods, your fear,will dissipate like acloud,tobereplacedwithblissfulpeace.Youwillneverbeangryagain.Takeit.Joinus.”

Gotrekslappeditoutofhishand.Itjangledacrossthefloor.“No.”

Hamnirlookedgenuinelysad.“Then,oldfriend,”hesaid,sighing,“I’mafraidyoumustdie.”Helickedoutwithhisaxeasquicklyandcasuallyasamanswatsafly,andnearlycaughtGotrekinthethroat.

TheSlayerjumpedback,cursing,wispsofbeardflutteringtothefloor.Felixdodgedbacktoo.Even after Hamnir ’s words the attack was unexpected. Attacks usually had a preamble — raisedvoices,threateninggestures,theglintofangerintheattacker ’seye.Hamnir ’sswipehadhadnoneofthese.

The prince swung again, as blank as before, andGotrek blocked the blowwith the rune axe,backingup.“Don’tdothis,Ranulfsson,”hesaid,browfurrowed.“Idon’twanttohurtyou.”

“AndIdon’twanttohurtyou,”saidHamnircalmly,slashingagain,“butifyouwillnottakethetorque,Ihavenochoice.Thosewhoarenotwithusareagainstus.”

Gotrekcontinuedtobackaway,parryingeveryblow,butneverreturningone.Felixhadneverseen the Slayer so unhappy to be in a fight. Itwas a battle he couldn’twin.KillingHamnirwas atragedy, not a victory, andbeingkilledbyhimwasnogranddoom, andwould indeedvery likelydoomthedwarfs,andperhapsthewholeworld,tomindlessslavery.

ButifGotrekdidn’tstrikesoon,hemightneverbeableto.Hewasweakeningwitheverystep.Theaxewoundinhisshoulderhadlosthimalotofblood,anditwasstillbleeding.Felixsawhimstaggerasheparriedachoptothehead.Hamnirwasn’ttiringintheleast.

FelixedgedaroundHamnir,anglingforthetorque.“No!”snappedGotrek.“Thisismyfight!”HeglaredatHamnir.“Andhis.Stayback.”SoFelixstoodbywhileGotrekback-pedalledaround thepitwithHamnir incalm, implacable

pursuit.“Fightit,scholar,”hissedGotrek.“Fightit!You’rethesmartestdwarfIknow.Can’tyouseewhat

it’sdoing?Can’tyousmellthereekofChaosonit?”Hamnirslashedathisbelly.Gotrekbarelyblockeditintime.“Don’tyourememberwhatitmadeofFerga?”Gotrekasked.“Doyouwanttobelikethat?”Hamnir ’sbrowcreasedmomentarily,butthensmoothedagain.“HadIknownthenwhatIknow

now,Iwouldhavejoinedher.”“Thisgodofyourstookyourholdbyforce,killinginnocentdwarfsandusinggrobitodoit—

theancientenemiesofourpeople.Howcanyousidewithit?”“Werefusedtolisten,”saidHamnirplacidly.“Itdidwhatithadtodo.Forthosewholistenthere

isonlyjoy.”Gotrek gritted his teeth as he slipped and jarred his leg. “How long have we been friends,

scholar?Howmany times havewe fought side by side, and drunk ourselves blind, and split up atreasure, and arguedover everything andnothing?”His voicewas hoarsewith emotion.Felix hadneverheardhimlikethis.“Isthatlesstoyouthanthejoysofbeingaslave?”

Hamnirwassilent,hisfacetroubled.Hisattacksfaltered.“Good,scholar,”calledGotrek.“Fightit!”Hamnir stopped, axe frozen and hands trembling, a war waging within him. “Fighting it is

useless,”hesaid,hisvoicestrangled.“Wearebuttwo,whenitisthousands.Wearechildren,whenitisageless.IfItakeoffthetorqueahundredotherswillpickitup.WhatIdodoesn’tmatter.Wehavealreadylost.”

“Wehaven’t!”roaredGotrek.“Takeoffthetorqueandwe’llkillittogether.”Hamnirshookhisheadsadly.“Nothingcankillit.Itistoostrong.Tooold.”Gotreksnarled.“Whatkindofdwarfareyou?Willyoudoomyourracebecauseyougaveup

withoutafight?”

Itwasthewrongthingtosay.Hamnir ’sfacebecamecalmagain.Heraisedhisaxe.“ItistosavemyracethatIobeyit,forif

weopposeitwewillbedestroyed.Onlybyjoiningitwillwelive.”“Withtorquesaroundournecks,”Gotrekspat.“Butwewilllive.”HamnirswungatGotrekagain.Gotrekparriedandbackedaway,hisfaceworkinggriefandrage.“Gotrek,”saidFelix,distraught.“Letmetakeitoffhim.Perhapshe’llcometohimself.”“Hehastodoit,”saidGotrek,glaringatHamnir.“Hehastobestrongandtakeitoffhimself.”“Maybenooneisstrongenough.”“Adwarfshouldbestrongenough!”Thepain inGotrek’svoicewasalmost toomuchforFelix tobear.“There’sawholeclanhold

abovethatsaysotherwise,”hesaid.Gotrekcursed.Hamnir hacked again, but this timeGotrek returned the attack, battering atHamnir ’s axe and

tryingtodisarmhim.Hamnirblockedandcounteredwithblisteringspeed.Hewastwicethefighterhehadbeenwithoutthetorque.TheycirclednearGalin’scorpse.

“You’rerunningoutofchances,scholar,”gratedGotrek.“Takeitoffordie!”Butitwasn’tclearwhowoulddiefirst.Gotrekwasfightingone-handednow,hiswoundedarm

useless.HewasbarelystoppingHamnir ’sblowsfromreachinghim.The Slayer backed up, stepping around Galin’s body. Hamnir pressed forwards, swinging

savagelyandslippedonGalin’sblood.Quickerthanblinking,GotrekcaughtHamnir ’saxeinabind,andrippeditfromhisgripwitha

savagetwistofhiswrist.Itbouncedintothehole.Hamnir stepped back. Gotrek leapt at him like a wrestler, slammed him to the ground, and

straddledhischest.HerippedthetorquefromHamnir ’sneckandflungitaway,staringintohisface,hisaxeraised.

Hamnirblinkedupathim,calmly.“Willyoukillmethen,Gotrek?Yousworetoprotectmeuntiloneofusshoulddie.”

Gotrek’sfacecollapsed.“AndIfailed,”hechoked.“You’realreadydead.”HeburiedtheaxeinHamnir ’schest.Hamnirbuckedandcontorted,choking,andthenlaystill,eyesstaringatnothing.

Felixgaped,stunned,asGotrekslumpedoverhisdeadfriend.Sigmar,hethought,whathadtheSlayerdone?

“Don’tlookatme,manling,”Gotrekgrowled,hisvoicethick.Hehidhisfaceinonemassive,bloodstainedhand,“orIwillkillyouwhereyoustand!”

Felix stepped back, shaking, and turned away. He dug his field kit out of his pack, allowingGotrekhisgriefwhilehepatchedhiswoundsandtriedtomakesenseofwhathadhappened.Gotrekhadkilledadwarf!Hamnir!His friend:withoutwaiting,withoutgivinghim time to recover.Felixcouldn’tstopreplayingthesceneoverinhismind.

HowcouldGotrekhaveknownifHamnirhadrecoveredornot?WhatHamnirhadsaidhadn’tsounded“wrong”.Hadhemadeamistake?

After a long interval, Gotrek stood, unsteady. His left arm was red from shoulder to wrist.“Right,”hesaid,clearinghisthroat.“Let’sfinishthis.”

HepulledalengthofbandagesfromGalin’spackandstartedwindingthemaroundhissliced-openshoulderashecrossedtothedoorwayfromwhenceHamnirhadcome.Theedgesofthedoorwerecarvedalloverwith thesameancientwardingsymbols thathadmarked theouterdoor.Felix

wascertainnowthattheyhadbeenplacedtokeepsomethingin,andhewasbeginningtounderstandwhatthatsomethingwas.

TheSlayer ’s facewasasdeadandcoldasFelixhadever seen it.Hewanted toaskhimaboutHamnir,buthewasafraidhewouldkillhimifhedid.Heheldhistongueandfollowedhim.

As they reached thedoor, theoppressivedreadanddespairwelledup inFelixagain, strongerthanbefore.IftheSleepercouldturnthemindofadwarflikeHamnir,whatchancedidahumanlikehimselfhave?Worse,whatifitturnedGotrek’smind?Whatifitalreadyhad!WhatifithaddecidedthatGotrekwasabetterpawnthanHamnir?WasthatwhytheSlayerhadkilledhisfriend?OrperhapsGotrekhadgoneentirelymadat last,andcouldn’tdistinguishbetweenfriendorfoe.Felixfelt likerunningforhislife,buthewasmoreafraidofbeingseparatedfromGotrekthanofbeingkilledbyhim.

Theywalkeddownashortcorridor,thenascendedashallowramptoawiderhallwaythatcurvedawaytotheleftandright.Thesicklycorpse-fleshglowgrewbrighterwitheverystep,andthethick,sour-milk reek clogged their nostrils. A series of open arches on the inner wall of the curvingcorridorshonefaintlyfromwithin.Felixlookedinthenearestone,gaggedandsteppedback.Gotrekscowledintoitbehindhim.

Three-quarters of the large room was filled, floor to ceiling with what looked, to Felix’sunsettledmind, like translucentwhite custard—custard that had been left out far too long. Itwasfrom thisbulging,gelatinous substance that thepalephosphorescenceemanated, and the smell too.Flickerslikegreenheatlightningflasheddeepwithinitsmilkydepths.Ropywhitetentaclesprotrudedfromitandlay,longandflaccid,acrossthefloor.Theypulsedwithsluggishlife.Cancerousgoitersandweirdgrowthsblossomedfromitlikeblackcurrantsinapudding,andthickwhiteciliastoodoutlikehairsonitssurface.

Throughthecloudysubstance,Felixcouldjustseeadoorwayonthefarsideofthechamber.Theshatteredremainsofastonedoorlayinfrontofit,entirelyburiedunderthegelidflesh.Itlookedlikethehorridmasshadburstthedoorandgrowntofilltheroom.

Felix coveredhismouthat the smell. “What is it?”Heasked throughhis fingers, fighting theurgetovomit.

Gotreksteppedup to thebulgingwhitemass.Heprodded itwithabooted toe. It shivered likejelly.TheciliaaroundthepointwhereGotrekhadtouchedwavedlikeafieldofweedsinawind.

Theymovedon.Thenextroomtoowasoverfilledwiththetranslucentstuff,pressedagainstthewallsof thechamberlikeamattressfullofsnotshovedintoatoosmallcloset.Thewhitetentaclestrailedacrossthefloorlikedeadsnakes,andtherewasanotherburstdooronthefarsideoftheroom.

Gotrek andFelix continued along the curving corridor, passing roomafter room, each filledwithmore of the horrible tentacled jelly. Felix began to realise that the corridorwas a vast ring.Halfway around its circumference, they came to a second ramp, this one angling down under thecentreofthecircle.

The corpse glow was stronger here, and Gotrek turned down the ramp immediately. Felixhesitated,theirrationalfearfillinghisveinswithice,thenforcedhimselftogoon.Ifhestopped,hewouldneverbeabletostartforwardsagain.

Therewasanothermassivetrapezoidalarchatthebottomoftheramp,itsedgeslimnedwiththerancidgreenlight.GotrekandFelixsteppedtoit,andthenstopped,retching.Felixcoveredhismouthagainandforcedhisstomachtobestill.Thesmellwasoverwhelming,butthesmellwastheleastofit.

They looked intoa lowcircularchamber.The floorwas litteredwithblackbasalt rubble.Theceiling—Felixflinchedawayfromit.Itmadehimwanttovomit,torun.Theceilingwasofthesame

gelatinous grub-flesh that had filled the rooms above. The weight of it had caved in the originalceiling,anditbellieddownfromaboveliketheundersideofsomefilthybedcanopy,makingthelowroomevenlower.

Andhanging limply fromthecentreof themass, like thedesiccatedshellofsome impossiblylargeprayingmantis,wastheSleeper.

TherewasnoquestioninFelix’smindthatthiswasthethingtheyhadcometokill.Itcouldbenothingelse.Itwasabsolutelymotionless,headslumped,limbsdangling—asleep.Felixmighthavethoughtitalreadydead,exceptfortheauraoffearandmadnessthatemanatedfromitlikecoldfromaglacier.

It had once been some sort of insect, but time, imprisonment and some dark pact with theRuinousPowershadwarpeditintosomethinginfinitelymorefoul.Itstranslucentshellwaswhiteandwaxy,liketallow,andthroughitFelixcouldseewhite,striatedmuscleandtheflowofviscousliquidthroughglassineveins.Eightlong,sharplegslikeglasssabreshungbelowaspined,carapacedheadwith ten black faceted eyes and a thicket of cruelmandibles. Thick, whip-like antennae curved upfromitsridgedbrow.

Itsthinthoraxwasattachedsomehowtothegelatinousceiling,andatfirstFelixcouldn’tmakeout how. Did it cling to it like a bat?Was it somehow trapped in it? Then, with a fresh wave ofrevulsion, he understood. The jellywas the rest of it! The great fleshymass, that had grown intoeveryroomalongthecircularcorridor,andthathadbecomesoheavythatithadbrokenthroughthestoneceiling,was the thing’sbloatedabdomen!GotrekandFelixhadnotexploredeverycornerofthe crypt.The gods only knewhowmany other rooms it had filledwith its bulk. Felix swallowedconvulsivelyasherealisedthathemightbelookingatthelargestlivingthingintheworld.

Otherthingshungfromthebulgingceilingaswell—glisteningtranslucentsacs,bulgingattheendoftwistedumbilicalropes.Felixrecognisedthemasthechrysalisestheyhadearlierseentheorcsputting intocrates.Therewerepale,angular forms inside them,with long forelegsand ten facetedeyes.TheSleeper ’schildren:theendoftheworld.

TheSleeperdidnotturnitshead,orinanywayacknowledgetheirpresenceastheysteppedintotheroundroom.Andyet,Felixwasmoreafraidtoapproachitthananythingoffleshandbloodhehadeverfaced.Cripplingterrorparalysedhim.Hecouldn’ttakeanotherstep.

Gotrekhadn’t stopped,buthehad slowed, leaning forwards and struggling toputone foot infrontoftheotherlikeamanpushingintotheteethofagale.

“Fightit,manling,”hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.“It’soutofservants.It’susingtheonlyweaponit’sgotleft.”

Felix couldn’tmove. If he got any closer, itwould eat his brain.Heknew this. Itwas alreadyeatingit.Ifhedidn’trun,hewouldendupliketheothers,amindlessslave,doingthebiddingofsomeChaos-corrupted insect. Itwould all beGotrek’s fault—dragginghim into certaindeath time andtimeagain.“Youfightit,”hespat.“You’retheSlayer!MustIalwaysfightyourbattles?”

Gotrekglaredbackathim.“Youfightmybattles?Ha!That’sajoke.HalfthebattlesIfightaretosaveyourworthlesshide!Grimnir,whataweakling!WhydidIchooseahumanforarememberer?Adwarfwouldhavetakencareofhimself!”

Felix choked, outrage flaring in his heart. “Weakling? You call me that after all I’ve beenthroughwithyou—andallonthestrengthofadrunkenvowIshouldneverhavemade!”

Gotrek turnedonhim, theSleeper forgotten. “And I shouldneverhaveheldyou to it.Bymyancestors!Twenty-fiveyearstravellingwithasnivellingwetblankettooweaktopullhisownweight,havingtoturnbackeverysecondsteptopullyourscrawnyarseoutof thefire,havingtolistento,‘That isn’t wise, Gotrek’, and ‘Maybe we shouldn’t do that, Gotrek’, in my ear like a damned

mosquito.WhyIhaven’tcutyourthroatbeforenow,justtoshutyouup,isbeyondme!”“You think it’s been a joy travelling with you?” shouted Felix, his neck pulsing with rage,

“Insultedandignoredeverydayforaquartercenturybyastunted,taciturnbullywithoutakindwordforanybody.Ican’tthinkofasingleinstancewhenyouthankedmeorpraisedmeforajobwelldone.It’s always ‘Shut up, manling’, and ‘Out of the way, manling’, and ‘Get the bags, manling’.” Heclenchedhis fists.“WhenI thinkof the life Icouldhavehad if Ihadn’t sworn to followyouruglyposterioraroundtheworlduntilyoufinallykilledyourself!Youhaven’tevenhadthedecencytodiequicklylikemostSlayers.”

“You’veseenmoreoftheworldthananyhundredmenoftheEmpire,thankstome,”bellowedGotrek,“andyoucomplainaboutit?Grungni’saxe!Whydidn’tImakemypeacewithHamnirandaskhimtobemyrememberer?Heatleastwasadwarf,notaspindle-shankedweakling!”

“Weakling,again.”Felixputhishandonhishilt.“YoucallmeweakwhenI’mstillhereandyouroh-so-sturdydwarffriendHamnirisdead?Who’stheweakling?”

Gotrek’sfacewentwhite.Hisoneeyeglitteredwithcoldfury.“Youinsultthedead?You’lldieforthat.”

“Iinsultedhim,”Felixsneered.“Youkilledhim.”Withanoutraged roar,Gotrek lurchedunsteadily towardsFelix, slashingone-handedwithhis

axe.Felix leapt back, gasping anddrawinghis sword.He felt thewindof the axe’spassingonhischeek.

Terrorstabbedthroughhisheartlikeanicicle.Sigmar,whathadhedone?Gotrekwasattackinghim!Theaxethathadkilleddaemonsandgiantswasswingingforhisneck!

He scrambled backwards, parrying desperately.Gotrek limped after him, the rune axe a blur.Each strike nearly knocked the sword from Felix’s hands. Hewas still alive only becauseGotrekfoughtone-handed,andwasweakfromhiswoundsandlossofblood.

Felix cursed himself as the rune axe flashed past, an inch from his chin.What madness hadinspiredhimtogoadtheSlayerlikethat?Hadhebeenoutofhismind?Thenitcametohimthattheinspirationhadindeedbeenfromoutsideofhismind.IthadcomefromtheSleeper. Itwasstirringthemuplikepitdogs.Itwasdefendingitselfbymakingthemfighteachotherinsteadofit.

“Gotrek!” he cried as they circled. “Stop! It’s the Sleeper. It’s forcing us to fight! It’s in ourminds!”

“Trying to trickme into letting downmy guard? Ha!” Gotrek hacked unrelentingly at Felix,pushinghimfurtherintotheroom.

FelixcouldfeeltheSleeper ’spresencebehindhisleftshoulderashebackedclosertoit.Hisskincrawled.“Gotrek,curseyou, fight it!”heshouted.“What’sbecomeofyourunbendabledwarfwill.Fightit!”

They slashed and hacked directly in front of it, circling slowly, as if they were gladiators,fighting for its amusement. Gods! Why wouldn’t Gotrek listen? How dare he accuse Felix ofweaknessandthenfallundertheSleeper ’spowerhimself?Ifhewouldn’tlisten,Felixwouldjusthavetobeatitintohim.He’dcuttheSlayer ’sheadoffandshoutitdownhisthroat.

“Stubbornfool!I’llteachyou!”FelixaimedalungeatGotrek’spoorlyboundshoulderwound.TheSlayer ’saxeblockedthestrike,shiveringhisswordandstinginghishands.“It’syouwhoneedsteaching,longshanks!Sayingyou’rebetterthanadwarf!”Heaimedabashat

Felix’sheadthatwouldhavesheareditinhalfifhehadn’tleaptback.“I’llgutyouforinsolence!”Felix cursed. Even one-handed and near collapse, Gotrek was stronger and faster than any

opponentFelixhadeverfaced,buttheSlayerwasreeling,unsteadyonhisfeet.IfFelixcouldmakehimfall,hecouldfinishhim.Hecontinuedtocircleright,tryingtogetonGotrek’sweakside.

Gotrekturnedwithhim.“I’llspityoulikearabbit!”heroared,raisinghisaxeoverhishead.Hetrippedonachunkofrubble.Hestaggered,offbalance.

Anopening!Felixdarted in, stabbing forGotrek’sbad leg.Gotrek swungdownwithhis axe,blindinglyfast,smashinghisswordoutofhishands,thenkickedhiminthestomach.

Felixflewback,hisswordbouncingaway,andcrashedintotheSleeper.Hisarmstangledinitsspinylegs.Thebackofhisheadsmackeditbetweenitsrowsofeyes.Itjerked,wakingandhissing,mandiblesclattering.

“I’llchopyouintwo!”Gotrekbellowed,andhurledhisaxestraightatFelix’shead.Felixyelpedanddivedtothegroundinterror.Theaxespunbyoverhishead,rufflinghishair,

andseveredoneoftheSleeper ’santennae.TheSleeperscreeched, its legs lashingabout, itsclawsclacking.OneclubbedFelixacross the

shoulderandknockedhimhalfwayacrosstheroom.Hegruntedinpainashehitthefloor,butalsoinrelief.Hismindwas suddenly clear.All hisunreasoning ragewasgone.TheSleeper ’swoundhaddistractedit.

Felixpushedhimselfup.Gotrekwasdivingpastthechittering,thrashingthingandsnatchinguphisaxe.Felixgoggledathimasheturned.

“You…you…”“Notnow,manling,”Gotrekrasped,standing.“Killit.”TheSlayerlimpedtowardstheSleeperfrombehind.Thethingtwistedandcurleditselfinevery

direction,tryingtoturntofacehim,butitwasheldinplacebyitsgargantuanabdomen.Itcouldn’tmovetodefenditself.

Gotreksmiledsavagely,preparedfor theslaughter.Felixstoodandrecoveredhissword.Withitsvileinfluencegonefromhishead,theSleeperseemednothreatatall.Itwaspathetic,infact,madehelplessbyitsownmutations.

Somethinglongandwhitedroppeddownbesidehim.Heflinchedawayfromit.Itlookedlikeawrist-thickstrandofsnotdrippingfromagiant’snose.Anotherdroppedinfrontofhim.Thedripscurvedtowardshimlikeblindsnakes,theirskinsthickeningandmuddying.TheyweregrowingfromtheSleeper ’sbloatedabdomen!

Thefirstsplitatitstiplikeaseedpodopening,andFelixsawteethandapurpletongueinsidethecavity.Theothersproutedhookedbarbsandsquid-likesuckers.Theylunged.

Heslashedattheonewiththemouth,decapitatingit.Thickrankliquidexplodedfromit,makinghiseyeswater.Twomorestrandsdrippeddownaroundhim.“Gotrek!”

Gotrekwasbesetwithfiveofthethings.Heslashedthreeinhalf,andfourmoredroppeddowntograpplewithhim.Oneloopedaroundhisbadleg.Anothercaughthimaroundtheneck.TheyweretryingtoholdhimawayfromtheSleeper.

“Chaos-cursedfilth!”Gotrekroared.Felixchoppedthroughtwomore,butanotherhadhiswaistandwasliftinghimoffhisfeet.He

swunghisswordbehindhisheadandcrashedtothefloorashecutthroughit.Helandedinapuddleofgreymuck.

The cut tentacles were pouring thick streams of mucus from their wounds onto the floor. Itsmelled impossibly foul.Felix jumpedup, trying to shake it fromhishands, andnearly fell again.Thebasaltfloorwasslickwiththestuff.

Thecircularchamberwassuddenlyaswayingforestofslimywhite tentacles,all reachingforhimandGotrek.Theyweren’thardtocut,butthereweretoomanyofthem.One,withamouthlikealamprey,bitFelixonthebackoftheleg.Hescreamedandchoppeditthrough,butanotherrakedhisfacewithridgeslikebrokenglass.

Hehackedateverythingthatcamewithinreach,slippingandspinninginamadfrenzy.OntheothersideoftheSleeper,Gotrekdidthesame,butnewtentaclesgrewoutofthebulgingceilingeverysecond, andmore than forty truncated tentacles poured viscous goop onto the floor. The stinkingmucus was ankle deep. As Felix backed away from three of themutating pseudopods, he steppedunderashowerofmuck,andwasdrenchedtotheskin.Hegaggedasitgotintohiseyesandnose,andplasteredhishairtohisscalp.

Felixsobbedwithfrustrationashewipedhiseyes.Itwashopeless.Nomatterhowmanytentacleshecuttherewouldalwaysbemore.TheywouldneverreachtheSleepertokillit.Thetentacleswouldtearthemapart.Heshouldjustthrowdownhisswordand…

Hefroze.Itwasbackinhishead,tryingtoreassertcontrol.Heforceditoutsavagely,cursingitwitheachslashofhissword.Thenheturnedandstartedslogging,oneslipperystepatatime,throughthelakeofsnottowardsit.Hewouldnotletitdistracthim.Itwouldnottakehismindfromhimagain.

Gotrek hadwon free aswell, at leastmomentarily, chopping through the tentacles faster thantheycouldform.Theseveredheadsofthreeofthemhungbytheirteethfromhisarmsandlegsashewadedtowardsthething,andhisslime-drenchedcresthunginhisfacelikeawetredmop.

TheSleeperchitteredindistressandmoretentacleswrithedtheSlayer ’sway,buthewasnottobe stopped.He backhanded through six, and then chopped at the thing’s face. It lashed outwith itsglassinelegsandtheruneaxeshearedthroughtwoofthematthejoints.

The Sleeper shrieked, a deafening insect whine, and swung a pincered foreleg at Gotrek. Hemadetoblock,butatentaclecaughthiswristandhecouldn’tbringhisaxeinline.Acrimsongashopenedacrosshischest.Thebloodmixedwiththeslime,andpaintedhistorsored.

Gotrekturnedtocutthetentacle,andtheSleeper ’sotherforelegcrackedhimonthebackofthehead.Hestaggeredandalmostfell.

“Leavethem!”criedFelix,ashefinallyreachedthecentreoftheroom.“I’llgetthem!”Gotrek said nothing, only turnedhis full attentionon theSleeper asFelix hacked through the

tentaclethatheldhisarm,andslashedatalltheothersthatwerequestingforwards.Thereseemedtobehundredsofthem.Allwithdifferentmutations,allvisionsofanunhingedmind.

Gotrek laid into the Sleeperwith all hismight, but it still had six legs to his one axe, and itblockedeveryattack,chipsandchunksoftranslucentchitinspinningawaywitheachclash.Hecutoffanotherleg,andduckedastheSleeperlashedoutathishead.

Behindhim,Felixspunlikeadervishasheloppedtentacleaftertentacle,butneverenough.Helaughedbitterly tohimself. Itwaseasy to say thathewouldkeep the tentaclesoffGotrek,butwhowouldkeepthemoffhim?Hewasfadingfast.Themucuswasuptohisknees—almosttoGotrek’ships — and it felt like he was fighting in quicksand. Worse, the bulging abdominal ceiling wasdroopinglower,asifitwasdeflating.Felixkeptbumpingitwithhishead.Iftheyweren’ttornapartordrowned,therewasagoodchancetheSleeperwouldsmotherthemtodeath.Hechoppedthroughtwosucker-covered tentacles thatwere loopingaroundhis legs.Thenheslashedat threemore thatwerereachingtowardsGotrek.Hisswordarmwasasheavyaslead.Atentaclegrabbedhisleftankle,anotherbithisrightbicep,andmorewerecoming.

Gotrekswungat theSleeper ’s right foreleg. Itblockedwithanother leg,and lost it as theaxesmashedthroughit.TheSlayersurgedforwards,pressingtheattack,butsuddenlyhejerkedtoastop,gruntinginpain.TheSleeperhadhimaroundthewaistwithitsleftpincer,liftinghimoffthegroundandsqueezinghard.Gotrekgrabbedatitwithhisoffhand,tryingtokeepitfromscissoringhimintwo.Heraisedhisaxetoseverthearm,butitsrightpincercaughtitbythehaftandtriedtopullitoutofhishand.TheSlayerbellowedinrageandpain.

“Hangon!”Felixcried.

Hestruggledforwards,hackingthroughthreetentacles.Threemoreheldhimtight,andanothertwoweregrabbingforhim.TheSleeperwasliftingGotrektowardsitsrazor-sharpmandiblesashestruggled.TheSlayer couldn’t let goof theSleeper ’s claw tousebothhands to freehis axe,or itwouldcuthimintwo,andhecouldn’tletgoofhisaxetousebothhandstoforceopentheclaworhewouldlosetheaxe.

Felixroaredandslashedallaroundhim,choppingthroughhalfadozententacles.Stillmoreheldhim. He freed his arms and dove for the Sleeper, lashing out with the last of his strength as thetentaclesaroundhisanklestriedtoyankhimback.

Heconnected!TheverytipofhisbladecaughtthewristofthepincerthatheldGotrek’saxe.Hesplasheddownfacefirstintotheslimeandwentunder.Hadhedoneit?Wasitenough?Had

theSleeperletgo?Hepusheddesperatelytothesurface,coughingandshakingthemuckfromhiseyes,justintime

toseeGotrek,withagutturalhowloftriumph,burytheruneaxebetweentheSleeper ’stwolargesteyes.

TheSleepershriekedandspasmed,itsremaininglegsflailing.Everytentacleintheroomlashedandwrithed like a pinned snake.Gotrekwas thrown across the roomand crashed into thewall.Adozen frenzied tentacles bludgeoned Felix. His brain was filled with a mad insectile chittering, athousandcricketssawingviolentlyinsidehishead,ashorrific,shattered-mirrorimagesofbloodanddismemberment,andblackchambersseethingwithamillionhaycart-sizedinsectscrawlingoveroneanother, flashedbehindhiseyes.He thrashedandkicked in theswampofmucus, screaming,handsclappedoverhisears,heartpounding,gorgerising.

Gotrekwasstaggeringtohisfeet,hisarmsoverhishead,grimacingandroaring.Thewholeworldseemedtobeshaking.Wasitallinhishead?Achunkofbasaltsplasheddown

besidehim,raisingathickfountainofmuck.Itwasnotinhishead.“Out,manling!”calledGotrek.Felix struggled to his feet and sloshed drunkenly through the chaos ofwaving tentacles after

Gotrek, as huge blocks of stone crashed down all around them, and the Sleeper ’s mental stormcontinuedtobatterhismind.Imagepiledontopofimage,eachmorechaoticandconfusedthanthelast:cave-cofferedinsectcities;toweringblackbasaltpyramids;slavearmies—hairy,heavybrowedtroglodytehumans,diggingandbuildingandcleaningupaftertheirchitinousmasters;earthquakes;slaverebellions;cave-ins;assassinations;aninsectemperormakingapactwithentitiesmoreancienteven than itself, a pact that gives it newpowers, brings it victories, treasure, godhood; then comejealousies;betrayals;invasionbypaleoverdwellers;battles;defeats;hidingitselfinthetemplewhereoncetheothershadcometoworshipit;theoverdwellerslockingitinwithspellsandwards;waiting,growing,waiting.

GotrekandFelixranuptherampandintothecircularcorridor,whichwasalreadyhalfburiedinfallingrubble.Whitetentaclesflailedfromtheopendoorwaysastheysprintedanddodgedaroundthering.Wallscrumbledasthevastgelatinousbulkjudderedandshook.TheSleeper ’spsychicscreamrose in pitch and volume, losing any semblance of cohesion until it was only a deafening,mind-blastingrushofrage,agonyandancienthate.

Ahugeslabofblackstonecrasheddowninfrontofthem,missingthembyinches.Felixvaultedit. Gotrek dodged around it, and they dived into the ramp, bouncing and rolling down to the hallbelowas,witharoarlikeanearthquake,theSleeper ’schamberscollapsedaltogether.

TheSleeper ’spresencewinkedoutas therocksfell, leavingonlygibberingechoes.Felixwastooscaredtocare.Helayhuddledatthebaseoftheramp,hisheadcoveredwithhisarms,expectingatanymomentthattheroofwouldcavein.

After a while, the rumbling and shaking subsided and all grew still. Felix slowly uncurled,blinkingandshakinghishead.Gotrekwassittinguptoo,clutchinghistemplesandgroaning.

Afterafewmomentsspentleaningagainstthewallandcatchinghisbreath,FelixlookeddullyoverattheSlayer.“Youtriedtokillme,”hesaid.

“What?”saidGotrek.“Never.Youtriedtokillme.”“Onlybecauseyouwouldn’tstoptryingtokillme!”saidFelix.“Couldn’tyouunderstand?Itwas

theSleeper.Itwasforcingyoutofightme.”“Oh,Iknew.”“Thenwhydidn’tyoustop?”Gotrek frowned, and looked down, his fists clenching, chagrined. “I couldn’t. The thing was

damnedstrong.”Herubbedhismucus-coveredfacewithhishandsandsighed.“GuessIdon’tblameHamnirsomuchnow.Onlybrokeitsholdbygivingin.”

“Brokeitshold?Youdidn’tbreakitshold.”“ItgotoutofourheadswhenIhitit,didn’tit?”“Youhititbyaccident.”Gotrek shookhishead and stooduponwobbly legs. “Couldn’t stop attackingyou,muchas I

tried.Orturnmyaxeonit,either.Itwastoostrongforthat.ButIcouldputyoubetweenmeandit.”Heshrugged.“Iknewyou’dduck.”

Felixblinked,andsurgedunsteadilytohisfeet.Hisbloodboiled.“YouknewI’d…You…But…butwhatifIhadn’t?”

Gotrekgrimacedandcleanedthemucusoffhisaxeasbesthecould.“WhatchoicedidIhave?”Felixopenedhismouthtoargue,buthedidn’tknowwhattosay.Gotrekslidtheruneaxethroughhisbelt,andturnedaway.“Comeon.”Theywalkeddownthecorridor to theroomwiththepit in thecentreandstoppedatHamnir ’s

body.FelixswallowedashelookedatHamnir ’sface,calmindeath,andthendownattheruinofhis

chest. “How… how did you know?” he asked. “How did you know he hadn’t recovered? That hewouldn’trecover?”

“Iknew,”saidGotrek.“Itwasinhiseyes.Hehadspenttoolongwithit.Hewasn’tcomingback.”“But…”“Hewasn’t coming back!”Gotrek squatted abruptly, slid his arms underHamnir ’s body, and

liftedhim.Hestumpedtowardstheexit.Felixstaredafterhim.PerhapstheSleeper ’sdeathwouldhaveendeditsdominionoverhim,he

wantedtosay.Itscorruptinginfluencemighthavediedwithit.PerhapsHamnirwouldhavereturnedtohimselfonceitwasdead.Hecouldn’tforcehimselftospeak.HefollowedafterGotrek,hisheartatwarwithitself.

Halfwayupthetunnelthatledtothemines,Gotrekclearedhisthroat.“YouwilltellGorrilthatHamnirdiedwell,fightingthetorquedgreenskins.Itisbest.”

“Youdon’twanthimtoknowyoukilledhim?”“Idon’twanthimtoknowthathe…losthimself.”“Whydon’tyoutellhim?”askedFelix.“Idon’tlie.”“AndIdo?”Felixwasinsulted.“Youwriteplays,don’tyou?”AsharpretortroseupinFelix’sthroat,butheletitdieunspoken.Hedidn’tlikeit,butperhapsit

wasforthebest.ThelastthingthebeleaguereddwarfsofKarakHirnneededtolearnwasthattheirprincehadbetrayedhisownrace,andithadalwaysbeenthejobofpoetsandplaywrightstoputthebestfaceonthedeathsofheroes.

“Allright,I’lltellhim.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIXGotrekputhisaxethrougheachofthechrysalisesintheroomwheretheorcshadbeenpackingthemup, and set fire to the crates just to be sure. Once smoke began to fill the room, they turned andcontinuedonupthroughthemine.

Felixlookedwithgrowingdespaironthefeworcstheypassed.Hehadbeenafraidtheirreturntotheholdwouldbeanightmare—dodgingrampagingorcsnewlyreturnedtotheirferocitynowthattheyokeoftheSleeper ’sevilinfluencehadbeenliftedfromtheirnecks.Therealitywasworse.Theorcstheypassedstoodblankandlost,staringintospacewiththeirweaponsandtoolshanginglimplyfromtheirhands.EvenwhenGotrekandFelixcameuponfourinanarrowcorridor—walkedrightinto them around a corner— the orcs did nothing, only pawed at them lazily, like sleepy bears.Gotrek pushed through them as if theywere somuch furniture, growling low in his throat. Theydidn’tfollow.

Finally, after retracing their steps up thewinding stair ofKingAlrik’s vault and through theempty halls of Karak Hirn, they came to the Diamondsmith clan-hold. Gorril was just outside itsdoors, supervisingdetailsofdwarfswhowerepiling thebeheadedbodiesof theundeadorcsontocartsandwheelingthemaway.

“Gurnisson!”hecriedwhenhesawthen.“Wehadhopeofyoursuccess.Thelastofthewalkingcorpsesdroppeddeadallatonceabouthalfanhour—”HestoppedwhenhesawwhatGotrekcarried.“PrinceHamnir!”HerushedtoGotrek.“Ishe…Didhe…”

“Heisdead,”saidGotrek.“Hediedwell,”saidFelix,rememberinghispart.“Thereweremoretorquedgreenskinsbelow,

defending theSleeper.Heslew two.Anotherslewhim.Hedied tostopChaosandcorruption fromspreadingtootherholds.”Whichwastrueenoughafterall.

“AnddidyouslaytheSleeper?”“Aye,”saidGotrek.“It’sdead.”“Thenhedidnotdieinvain.”GorriltookHamnirfromGotrek’sarms,hisfaceworking,asthe

otherdwarfsgatheredaround,baringtheirheadsfor theirfallenprince.AshecarriedHamnir intothe clanhold, the dwarfs followed him, and more came out into the central chamber to watch inmournfulsilenceasGorrillaidhimuponthebaseofastatueofsomeancientdwarfpatriarch.

Gorril turned to theassembleddwarfs, tears inhiseyes.“Friends,ourprince isdead.Wewillmournhimasbefitsafallenhero,butinthistragedyistriumph,forwithhisdeath,hehasfreedusfromthehorrorthatheldusinitsclutches.TheSleeperisdead.Theholdisours.Theworstisbehindus.”

“Itisn’t,”saidGotrekunderhisbreath.“What?”askedGorril,turningtohimwithafrown.“Whatdoyoumean?Youkilledit.Weare

free.”Gotreksighedandpushedthroughthecrowdofsolemndwarfstothedoorsofthegemcutters’

guildhall.“Openit,”hesaid.Adwarfbroughtakeyand turned the locksasGorril andFelixand theotherdwarfs filled in

behindhim.Thedoorswungopen.ThedwarfsoftheDiamondsmithclanturnedtowardsthedoorasthelightfromthehallfellupon

them.Theystaredempty-eyedatthedwarfswholookedinonthem,andthenslowlystartedshufflingtowardsthem,theirweaponsraised,theirhandsclutching.

Gotrekdrewhisaxefromhisbelt.“Theworstisstillbeforeus.”

Gorrilandtheotherdwarfsmoanedindespair,andFelix’slastfainthopedied.Afteralong,stunnedmoment,Gorrilsighedandwipedhiseyes.Hestraightenedhisshoulders,

grippedhisaxe,andturnedtotheothers.“Fallin,sonsofKarakHim,”hesaid.“Thereissadworktobedone.”

EPILOGUE“Plentymeatonnortherman,”saidtheogre.“Tastefunnythough.”

Themengaggedandedgedawayfromhim.Thedwarfgrimaced.“Grungni!Isthereanythingyouogreswon’teat?”Theogreruminatedforamoment,rubbinghisseveralchins.“Don’tthinkso,”hesaidatlast.Felixlistenedwithonlyhalfanear.HeandGotrekweremarchingwithagroupofmercenaries

whohadbandedtogetherforsafetywhiletraversingtheBlackFirePass.AllwereheadingnorthtoselltheirswordsandaxestotheEmpireinitsfightagainsttheinvasionoftheChaoshordes.Aheadofthem was a company of Tilean Pike, outfitted in gaudy red and gold, and behind, thirty Estaliancrossbowmeninbrownleather.Thedashingsonofaborderprincetrottedpastwithtwentylancesathisback,allonmassivechargers,bravepennantsflutteringfromtheirlancetips.Tendwarfsmarchedslowlybesidetwopony-drawncannon,makingsurethewheelsdidn’tgetstuckinthemuddy,snowsprinkledrutsoftheroughroad.

Gotreklistenednotatall.Hisoneeyewasturnedinwards.Hestompedalongwithhisheaddown,takingnonoticeof themen,dwarfsorogres around them.TheSlayerhadbeen in theblackestofmoodssincetheyhadleftKarakHirntendaysbefore,andFelixdidn’tblamehim.Theeventsofthepastweekshadbeenenough todepresseven themost cheerful, andGotrekwasnotknown forhissunnydispositioneveninthebestoftimes.

In away, the fact that theDiamondsmith dwarfs had not comeback to themselves had been ablessing,atleastforGotrek’ssanity.ItmeantthathehadbeenrighttoslayHamnir—thattheprincewouldnothavereturnedtohisrightmind.Andyet,whatableakcomfortthatwas.CuttingdownthelostdwarfshadbeenthesaddestbattleofFelix’slife.Theyhadhardlyfoughtback.Theyhadblinkedat the oncoming axes like cattle waiting for the maul. It had taken moments, and not a dwarf ofGorril’sforcehadgotascratch,butFelixwonderediftheywouldeverrecover.

ThethoughtoflosingfamilymadeFelixthinkagainabouthisown.Weretheystillalive?Hehadthoughtalotrecentlyaboutgoinghomeandsettlingdown.Wouldhestillhaveahometoreturnto?WashisbrotherOttostillrunningthefamilybusiness?Whatofhisoldfriendsandcompanions?DidMaxstilllive?Heinz,theinnkeeperwhohademployedtheminNuln?Snorri?Ulrika?

ApangwentthroughhisheartasFelixthoughtofher.Ifshelived,whatsidedidshefightfor?Thenews that came from thenorthwas ahodgepodgeof rumour, fear andhope.Therewere

somewhosaidthewarwasover,andtheChaos-crazednorthmendrivenbacktotheWastes.OtherssaidthatAltdorfwasaflameandKarl-Franzdead.Notwostorieswerealike.Nonecouldbetrusted.

“Yerwastingyourtimeifyethinkye’llgetinonthefighting,”saidaswaggeringgunnerwithaNulnaccentandthenotchedearofaconvictedthief.“It’llallbeoverinamonth.Archaon’ssmashinghisheadagainstthewallsofMiddenheimaswespeak.Prettysoonhisbrainswillfallout.Noone’severcrackedtheFauschlag,noone.”

“Sowhyyoumarch?”askedtheogre.The gunner shrugged. “Lot of open positions after awar,” he said. “Lot of crimes forgotten

whentheranksgetthin.”Gotrek raisedhishead,glowering.“Betternotbeover,”hemutteredunderhisbreath.“Imust

wash the dwarf blood from my axe in a bath of Kurgan gore.” He held up the axe and gazedmournfullyatitsshiningsteeledge.“Thoughitwillneverbeenough.”

He and Felix trudged on in silence as, ahead, the setting sun painted the northern sky red asblood.

Scanning,formattingandbasicproofingbyUndead.