AWARHAMMERNOVEL

ZOMBIESLAYERGotrek&Felix-12

NathanLong(AnUndeadScanv1.0)

1

ToKeith,forinstructiononzombielaw.

2

Thisisadarkage,abloodyage,anageofdaemonsandofsorcery.Itisanageof

battleanddeath,andoftheworld'sending.Amidstallofthefire,flameandfuryit

isatime,too,ofmightyheroes,ofbolddeedsandgreatcourage.

AttheheartoftheOldWorldsprawlstheEmpire,thelargestandmostpowerfulof

thehumanrealms.Knownforitsengineers,sorcerers,tradersandsoldiers,itisa

landofgreatmountains,mightyrivers,darkforestsandvastcities.Andfromhis

throneinAltdorfreignstheEmperorKarlFranz,sacreddescendantofthefounder

oftheselands,Sigmar,andwielderofhismagicalwarhammer.

Butthesearefarfromcivilisedtimes.AcrossthelengthandbreadthoftheOld

World,fromtheknightlypalacesofBretonniatoice-boundKislevinthefarnorth,

comerumblingsofwar.InthetoweringWorldsEdgeMountains,theorctribesare

gatheringforanotherassault.Banditsandrenegadesharrythewildsouthern

landsoftheBorderPrinces.Therearerumoursofrat-things,theskaven,emerging

fromthesewersandswampsacrosstheland.Andfromthenorthernwildernesses

thereistheever-presentthreatofChaos,ofdaemonsandbeastmencorruptedby

thefoulpowersoftheDarkGods.Asthetimeofbattledrawsevernearer,the

Empireneedsheroeslikeneverbefore.

3

"Therewasnoendtothehorror.Nosoonerhadwefelledthebeast-shamanandsunderedthestone that might have destroyed the Empire, than a new threat arose, deadlier and moregruesomethanthelast,anarmyofthelivingdead,tenthousandstrong.

"In the dire days that followed,whenmadness anddespairwere our constant companions, itseemedcertainthathisdoomhadfoundGotrekatlast,thoughinaformnoslayerwouldeverwishfor.Butdespite thedangerandhardshipandthe threatofanunworthydeath,Gotrek'smostpainfulchallengecamenotfromourenemies,butfromhisoldestfriend.TosavethesoulofSnorriNosebiter,Gotrek'ssacredoathtoGrimnirwouldbetestedasneverbefore,andIcouldnotbesurewhichwouldbreakfirst,thefriendshiporthevow."

--FromMyTravelswithGotrek,VolVIII,

byHerrFelixJaeger(AltdorfPress,2529)

4

ONEFelix Jaeger stared in horror as eerie laughter echoed in unison from the dead throats of theencroachingzombiehorde.Deadmananddeadbeastmanalike,theyalllaughedwiththesamevoice.

"Hans,"hesaid,edgingback."HanstheHermitisbehindthis."GotrekGurnissonheftedhisruneaxe."ShouldhaveguttedhimthefirsttimeIsawhim,"hegrowled.

Katwipedherblood-grimedbrowwiththebackofabruisedhand.Herskin,inthesickgreenlightofMorrslieb,lookedasdeadasthatofthewalkingcorpses."Wejustkilledthem,"shegroaned."Nowwehavetodoitalloveragain?"

"Good," saidRodiBalkisson, smoothinghisbraidedslayer'screst. "Maybe this timewe'll findourdoom."

"Youmay,Balkisson," saidGotrek. "But SnorriNosebiterwill not."TheSlayer turned and helpedSnorriupfromthemakeshiftstretcherheandRodihadcarriedhimonafterSnorrihadlosthisrightleg.HeslungSnorri'sarmoverhisshoulderasRodididthesamewithSnorri'sotherarm,andwithFelixandKatfollowing,thethreedwarfsstumpedtowardsBaronEmilvonKotzebue'stroops,whowereclosingranksandloweringspearsagainsttheundeadarmyinthecentreofthenarrowvalley.

"Snorriwouldn'tmindslayingafewmorebeastmen,actually,"saidSnorri,lookingoverhisshoulderattheshaggyundeadmonstersthatgropedandstumbledafterthem.

"Sorry, Father Rustskull," said Rodi. "No slaying for you until you make your pilgrimage,remember?"

"Oh,yes,"saidSnorrimournfully."Snorriforgot."

Asrallyhornsblastedbrighttantarasandcannonsroaredfromthehills,wearyhandfulsofspearmenandknightsfoughtthroughthedeadtowardsthereliefcolumnfromeverycornerofthebattlefield--cuttingdowncorpsesthatworethesameuniformsasthemselves.

Thatwastheworstofit,thoughtFelix.Thoughhalfthezombiesthatthreatenedthelivingwererisenbeastmen,theotherhalfweremenheandtherestoftheImperialforcehadbeenfightingalongsidenotaquarterofanhourbefore.Allaround,valiantsoldierswhohadrankedupwiththeirbrothersindesperatebesiegedsquaresagainsttheragingseaofbeastmen,nowinsteadlurchedalongwiththosesamehorrorsandattackedtheiroldcomradeswithblank-eyedferocity--indeathbecomingtraitorstotheirownkind.

FelixparriedablowfromthecorpseofSirTeobaltvonDreschler,who,untilhehaddiedinFelix'sarms,hadbeenanobletemplaroftheOrderoftheFieryHeart.

Nowhewasahorrible,animatecadaver,withadanglingjawandaglisteningred5

wound in the middle of his caved-in chest. Kat hesitated when she could have hamstrung the oldknight,andnearlylostahandwhenhelashedoutather.

"HowcanIstrikehim?"shemoaned."Hewasourfriend."

"Whohewasisgone,"saidGotrek,cuttingdownabeast-corpse."Killit."Withasob,KatburiedherhatchetinSirTeobalt'skneeasFelixhackedoffhisheadwithKaraghul,arelicoftheoldtemplar'sorderwhichTeobalthadbequeathedtoFelixonlydaysbefore.

"Withhisownsword,"saidFelixbitterlyastheoldmanfell.

Felixwassobatteredandtiredastheypushedonthathecouldbarelyliftthebladeagainstthedeadthatstumbledtowardsthem.Anhourago,heandKatandthethreeslayershadchargedintothecircleof standing stones atop the hill known as Tarnhalt's Crown and attacked Urslak Cripplehorn, apowerfulbeast-shaman,attemptingtostophimfromcompletingaceremonythatwouldhaveturnedeveryhumanwithintheDrakwaldintoabeastman.Halfanhourago,withUrslakdead,theyhadraceddown into the valley below theCrown to join the armies ofViscountOktaf Plaschke-Miesner andLordGiselbertvonVolgenintheirill-advisedattackontheshaman'stenthousand-strongherd.Tenminutesago,theforcesofBaronEmilvonKotzebuehadthunderedintothevalleyandslammedintotheflanksof thebeastmen,and theyounglords'doomedarmieshadbeensaved--thoughitwas toolate for theyoung lords themselves.Oneminute ago,Morrslieb, theChaosmoon,had eclipsed itsfairersibling,Mannslieb,atpreciselymidnightonHexensnacht, thelastsecondof theoldyearandthe first second of the new, and all the dead on the battlefield, bothman and beastman, had risentogetherinundeathandturnedtheirdull,staringeyesupontheliving.Felixhadnotstoppedfightinginallthattime.

The hulking corpse of Gargorath the God-Touched, the war-leader of Urslak's massive herd,staggeredinfrontoftheslayers,moaningandswingingthecloven-hoofedlegofanotherbeastmanasifitwereaclub.TheholethatGotrek'sruneaxehadmadeinthebeastman'schestwhentheSlayerhadearlierkilleditdidnotappeartobetroublingitintheleast.

"Youwanttodietwice?"raspedGotrekashe,SnorriandRodiduckedthemeat-club.

Thestumblingbeast-zombieturnedafterthem,butGotrekleftSnorritoRodiandswunghisruneaxein a high arc behind him. The blade chunked into the side of Gargorath's black-furred neck andsevereditsspine.

"Sobeit."

Thedeadbeast toppled forwardsasGotrekwrenchedhis axe freeand steppedbackunderSnorri'sarm.Theyhurriedon,fallinginwithothersurvivorsandhackingineverydirection.Fortunately,thezombieswerestillonlyrisinginonesandtwos,anditdidnotseemthatHanstheHermityethadfullcontroloftheirlimbs.Theyjerkedandtwitched,andfellasoftenastheywalked,orwanderedoffinthe wrong direction, but with each passing second, their movements grewmore certain and theirattentionmorefocussed--allturningtowardsvonKotzebue'sbesiegedcolumnlikeblindmosquitoesattractedbythescentofblood.

ThecloserFelix,Katandtheslayersfoughttothecolumn,thethickerthemassofzombiesbecame,untilitwasasolidwallthroughwhichFelixcouldseealmostnothing.

6

"Dressranks!Squareup!Squareup!"shoutedasergeantfromsomewherebeyondthecorpses.

"Woundedonthecarts!Themascanwalk,carrythemthatcan't!Move!"

"Wewillretreatingoodorder,curseyou!Ifyouwanttofearsomething,fearmyboot,oryou'llgetitupyourbackside!"

"Heads,necksorlegs,gentlemen!Heads,necksorlegs!Allotherstrikesareworthless!"

Thislastcamefromasplendid-lookingoldknightinthecoloursofMiddenland,whoFelixsawoverthe heads of the zombies, lashing about vigorouslywith a long sword from the back of a heavilybarded charger. His close-shaved head was bare, and he shouted his orders through the largest,whitest and most magnificent moustaches Felix had ever seen. This must be von Kotzebue, Felixthought--their saviour. Fighting beside him was a thick-necked, broad-chested nobleman, with apugnaciousbulldogface thatFelixalmostrecognised.Heworeasurcoatofmustardandburgundyoverhisplate,andthecrownedeagleofTalabeclandonhisshield.

"Myson!"theTalabeclanderwasshouting."Findmyson!"Hearingthat,Felixrecognisedthefaceatlast.Itwasamiddle-agedmirrortothatofGiselbertvonVolgen,oneoftheyounglordswhohadledhistinyarmyagainsttheoverwhelmingmightofthebeastmen.ThismustbeGiselbert'sfather,andhewasshoutinginvain.Giselbertwasdeadnow,alas,killedbyGargorath,andraisedagainlikealltheothercorpsesonthefield.Hewouldnothearhisfather'scries.

Ten yards from the column, Felix, Kat and the slayers found their way blocked by a supply cart,strandedamidsttheswarmingundead.Itsdriverandcargomenfoughtfortheirlivesatopitsload--theneatlystowedcanvasandsticksofascoreofofficers'tents--astheirhorseskickedandscreamed.

"Helpus!"shoutedthedrivertowardsthetroops.

Butwith a ragged blast of bugles and a roar of "Company,march!" the knights and foot soldiersbegantopushtheirwaysouth,fightingforeverystep.

GotreknoddedRoditowardsthecartasthedriverwailedwithdismay.

"Here,"saidtheSlayer,hookingazombieasidewithhisaxeandshoulderinghiswaytothetailgate."Up,Nosebiter."

HeandRodishovedSnorriupontothepileofcanvas,thenfannedbackthezombiesandclimbedupafterhim.Felixkickedbackacorpsethathadhimbytheleg,thenpulledhimselfupasKatclamberedupbesidehim,panting.

"Drive!"Gotrekcalled to thedriver asheandRodi swipedbackat theundeadbeasts andmen thatclosedinafterthem."We'llholdthem."

"Ohthankyou,sirdwarf,"saidtheman."Thankyou!"HetookupthereinsasGotrek,Rodi,FelixandKat joined his cargo men along the sides of the wagon and began hacking and kicking at theencroachinghorde.

"Manling, little one," barked Gotrek. "Keep them off the horses." Felix groaned with fatigue, but

crawled past the driver with Kat, then hopped awkwardly onto the backs of his carthorses. TheterrifiedanimalsbuckedandshriekedasFelixandKatclungtotheirbacksandslashedattheclawingzombies,butwhenapathhadbeencleared, they took it, andstrainedslowly towards the retreatingcolumnthroughafetlock-deepswampoftwice-deadcorpses.

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Thenavoiceroseabovethedinofbattle."Myson!Stop!Wemustgoback!"Felixlookedup.LordvonVolgenwaspointingdirectlyatthewagon,hiseyeswide.

"VonKotzebue!"hecried."Stopthecolumn!Myson!"

His son?Felix lookedback, frowning.A figure inbeautifullycraftedarmourwaspulling itselfupontothetailgateofthecartattheheadofathrongofundead.ItworethesamemustardandburgundyasLordvonVolgen,but itsfaceunder itsdentedhelmetwasaswitheredandlifelessaswhenFelixhad last seen it--when it and the corpse of its cousin, Oktaf Plaschke-Miesner, had moments agoshambledtowardshiminahorriblemockeryoflife.

GotrekandRodibrainedanddecapitatedtheyounglord'scorpse,thenkickeditbackintotherest.

Awailofanguishrosefromthecolumn."Giselbert!No!Myson!"AclawrakedFelix'sarm,andhehad to returnhisattention to thezombiesaroundhishorse,slashingandhackingandkicking themawayasKatdidthesameonthesecondhorse.Thestrikesofthedeadwereclumsyandeasytoblock,buttheyweresomany,andsorelentless,thatitwasallsheandFelixcoulddotokeepthematbayandstayontheirmounts.

After what seemed an hour, the cart reached the column, and the line of spearmen who weredesperatelystavingofftheshamblinghordepartedandletthemthrough.

Oncebehind their ranks,Felix andKat floppedacross thenecksof their horses and just lay there,panting. Felixwas as exhausted as he had ever been, and now that his limbswere at rest, the painbegan to seep into the dozens of wounds he had taken during that long, long night. He was cut,bruised,scrapedandbatteredfromheadtofoot.Therewasnowhereonhisbodythatdidn'thurt.

"Well,that'sthat,then,"saidRodi,behindhim."Wecangobackandfindourdoomsnow."

"Youcan,"saidGotrek."IstaywithSnorriNosebiteruntilthecolumnwinsclear."

"But..."

FelixlookedbackasRoditurnedfromtheseaofzombiestoglareatSnorri,wholayinthemiddleofthecart,tighteningthetourniquetthatwaswrappedaroundhisseveredleg.

"All right,"Rodigruntedat last."Iowehimthat,butafterwards,nomorewaiting.There isagreatdoomhere."

"Aye," saidGotrek."Nomorewaiting."He jumpeddownfrom thecartandstarted towards the leftflankofthecolumn."Comeon,beardling.We'llwarmupwiththese."

Rodihoppeddownafterhim,grinning."Good.Thesoonerthesemanlingsgetaway,thesoonerwehavetheresttoourselves."

The two slayers shouldered forwards to join the sidestepping line of spearmen who stabbedmechanicallyintothesurgingmassofundeadasthecolumnmarchedoutofthevalley.

"Heads,necksandlegs!"roaredRodi,bashingaroundatthezombieswithhishammer.

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Thespearmencheeredandechoedhiscall."Heads,necksandlegs!"Gotrekdidn'tjoinin.Hewastoobusyslaying.

"Weshouldhelpthem,"saidKat,risingwearilyfromherhorse'sneck.

"Aye,"saidFelix,"weshould."

Butwhenhetriedtopushhimselfupright,hisarmsshooksomuchheknewhewouldbeuselessonthe front line.Hewould only add himself to the dead, and he didn't fancyGotrek slaying him forbecomingazombie.Still,therewasotherworkthatneededtobedone.

Felixsawthatthesurgeons'assistantswereoverwhelmedbythenumberofwoundedanddeadfallingbackfromtheflanksandtherearguard.Theywerecarryingthemtothebaggagecartsasfastastheycould,butmenwerestillbeingleftbehindforwantofbearerstocarrythem.

HedismountedandbeckonedtoKat."Comeon,"hesaid."Thiswecando."AgreatcheeringaroseandFelix andKat looked up from laying anotherwounded spearman on the cart that had broughtthemthere.ItwasfollowingvonKotzebue'sraggedcolumnofknights,spearmenandhalberdiersupthroughalowpassbetweentwohillsatthesouthernendofthevalleyofTarnhalt'sCrown,andallthemenwere shaking theirweapons and roaring and thrustingup two-finger salutesback towards thebattlefield.

Felixblinked.HeandKathadbeensofocussedoncarryingthewoundedthattheyhadn'tnoticedthecolumn'sprogress.Therewerenozombiesaroundthem.Theshamblingdeadwereallfurtherdowntheslope,funnelledtogetherbytheconstrictinghillsandheldbackbyarearguardofspearmenthatblockedthenarrowpass--anoblesacrificethatwouldallowtherestofthearmytoescape.

"We--wewonfree,"saidKat,staring.

"Andnowwe'regoingback,"saidGotrek,asheandRodijoinedthematthetailgate.

Felix'sheartthuddedinhischest.ThismeantthatheandtheSlayerwerepartingwaysatlast.Hedidn'tknowwhattosay.

Butasheopenedhismouthinthevainhopethatsomethingappropriatewouldfallout,acoldwind,reeking of death and earth, blew up from the valley and made the brave cheering falter and die.Lightningflashedabovethem,andthunderfollowedit,adeafeningcrackthatwentechoingacrosstheendlessBarrenHills.

Felixandtheotherslookedupwiththerestofthecolumn.Thetwomoonswerenowhiddenbehindapale scrim of clouds, and had pulled apart from their earlier eclipse. Now they looked like theglowing eyes of a warp-dust addict gleaming through a mask of dirty gauze. And before them,steppingoutofafadingcloudofshadowatthecrestofthehillabovethepass,wasthetwistedfigureofHanstheHermit,laughingmaniacally.

"Yes,"hehissed,as thesoldiersshiveredandstared."Fleetoyourmasters.Tell themIamcoming.Tell them that every castle and townbetweenhere andAltdorfwill fall beforeme.Tell them theirdeadwillbecomemyarmy.TellthemIwilltakeAltdorfwithahundredthousandcorpses,andthattheEmpireofSigmarwillbecometheEmpireoftheDead."

9

Pistolsandlonggunscrackedatthehermit,andKatunslungherbowandsentanarrowspeedinghisway,buthepaidthemnoheed,andnoneofthemissilesseemedtofinditsmark.

"Youmayoutrunthetidenow,"thehermitsaid."Butsoontheseaofdeathwilloverlapyourwallsanddrownyou.Thenyouwillriseandwalkwithus.Allwilldie.

Allwillbeone.Allwillbemine."

Thespearmenandknightsroareddefianceatthispronouncement,breakingrankstostartupthesteepslope of the hill, andGotrek andRodi followed, bellowing dwarf curses, but before any of themcouldtakemorethanthreesteps,mistandshadowscoalescedaroundthehermitandhewasgoneassuddenlyashehadappeared,andtheridgewasempty.

Felix shivered and pulled his red Sudenland wool cloak tighter around his shoulders as the menwhisperedprayersofwardingatthissorcerousdisappearance.

HehopedHans'wordswereonlyboasting,butafterseeinghowthesupposedhermithadtrickedhimandGotrekandtheothersintodestroyingUrslak'sherdstonesothathecouldworkhisdarkmagic,hewasn'twillingtobetonit.Whoeverhewas,Hanswasapowerfulandcunningnecromancer,andFelixfearedtheyhadonlyseenafractionofhispower.

"Comeon,Gurnisson,"saidRodi."Themanlingshavepickedagoodplace.

We'llbeabletoholdthecorpsesthereforagoodlongtime."Gotreknodded."Aye."

"Snorricouldhelpifhehadacrutch,"saidSnorri,sittingupinthecart.

Gotrekturnedandscowledathim."YouaregoingtoKarakKadrin,Nosebiter.

Thisisnotyourdoom."

Snorrihunghishead."Snorriforgotagain."

FelixandKatsteppedtotheslayers.

Felixswallowed."So...soit'sgoodbyeatlast,"hesaid,inanely.

"Aye,manling,"saidGotrek,andthoughhetriedtobesolemn,Felixcouldseehewasfindingithardtokeeptheeagernessfromhisvoice."Rememberyourpledge.

BringSnorriNosebitertotheShrineofGrimnirandyouarefree."

"I'llgethimthere,"saidFelix.

"Goodbye,Gotrek,"saidKat."Goodbye,Rodi.MayGrimnirwelcomeyoutohishalls."

Felixheldouthishand,butasGotrekmadetoclaspit,athunderofhoovesshooktheground.Ascoreofknightsweregallopingdownthecolumn,BaronvonKotzebueandLordvonVolgenattheirhead,andpulledupat thebackof thewagon,makinga ringofhorsefleshandpistolsandnakedswordsaroundGotrek,Felix,KatandRodi.

"There!" said von Volgen, pointing at the slayers with his broadsword. "There are the inhumanberserkersthatmurderedmyson!"

10

TWOFelix staredatvonVolgenasGotrekandRodiwentonguard.Whatwas the lunatic talkingabout?Hadn't he seen his son's withered face? Hadn't he seen him attacking the slayers with the otherzombies?

"Youwilldiehere,dwarfs,"chokedvonVolgen.

"Aye,wewill,"saidGotrek,lookingpasthimintothevalley,wherethezombieswerestartingtopushbacktherearguard."Ifyougetoutofourway."

"Youstandbetweenusandourdoom,"growledRodi.

Thetwoslayersstartedstraightforthetwolords."Killthem!"shoutedvonVolgen,wavingathismen."Executethemforthemurderofmyson!"

"Comeandtry,"saidGotrek,stillstridingahead.

"Wait,mylord,"calledFelix,runningforwardsasvonVolgen'sknightsdismounted."Theslayersdidnotkillyourson!Hewasalreadydead!"VonVolgenturned,glaring."Whatfoolishlieisthis?Isawitwithmyowneyes!

Mysonwastryingtoescapetheundead,andthesewretcheddwarfscuthimdownwithoutasecondglance."

Theknightsweresteppingforwardstoencircletheslayers.Therewouldbebloodshedanysecond.

"He wasn't escaping the undead," said Felix desperately. "He was undead! He died fighting thebeastmenbeforeyouarrivedandwasraisedwiththeothers!"

"It'strue,"saidKat,steppingupbesideFelix."Please.Isawhimdie.Itwasahero'sdeath,but--"

"You questionmy eyes, peasant?" VonVolgen's face was purple with rage. He turned to hismen."Standbackfromthedwarfs,ordiewiththem!"

"SomebodyhelpSnorristand,"saidSnorri,fromthecart."Hewantstodiewithhisfriends."

"Hold!"calledvonKotzebue,andsuchwasthecommandinhisvoicethattheknightspaused.

VonVolgenwasfurious."Youordermymen?YouareinTalabeclandnow,sir.

Youhavenoauthorityhere."

"Perfectlycorrect,"saidvonKotzebue,bowingfromthesaddle."Butitoccurredtomethat,asbothyouandthedwarfswantthesamething--namelytheirdeaths--

youshouldletthemdoitslayingourcommonenemy,ratherthangettingintoafightthatwillwound,andlikelykillyourownmen."

VonVolgenscowled."Howisitpunishmenttogivethemwhattheydesire?Iftheywishtodie,thenitwillbebyexecution!"

"Verywell,mylord,"saidvonKotzebue."Butbymyrecollection,executiononlycomesafteratrial,anditseems--"

11

"There is no time for a trial!" cried vonVolgen, flinging out an arm to indicate the encroachingundead."Weareabouttobeoverwhelmed!"

"Precisely,"saidvonKotzebue."WhichiswhyIrecommendyoulettheslayersgototheirdoomandletusbeonourway."

VonVolgen chewed his lip, his angry eyes shifting fromvonKotzebue toGotrek andRodi to thezombiesandback.Felixdidn'tknowwhowasmoreinsane,thelunaticwhowantedtokillthem,orthemadmanwhoseemedperfectlyhappytodebatepointsoflawwhileanarmyofzombiesboredownuponthem.

"No," said vonVolgen at last. "Wewill take themwith us andhave your damned trial once this isover."Hemotionedtohisknights."Arrestthem!"GotrekandRodiraisedtheirweaponsastheknightsbegantomoveinagain.

"Tryitandyou'llhaveyourmurder,"saidGotrek.

"Gotrek,please,"whisperedFelix."ThesearemenoftheEmpire.Theyareourallies."

"Notiftheytrytoarrestus,theyaren't,"saidRodi.

"Aye," said Snorri, dragging himself onto the tailgate. "No one stands between a slayer and hisdoom."

"Nobledwarfs!"calledvonKotzebue."Ifyouarereluctanttospillthebloodofmen,hearmeout.Wetravel toCastleReikguard, six days to the south-west, to bolster its defences and sendwarning toAltdorf. If you accompany us therewithout violence, Iwill guarantee two things.One, a fair trialwithin itswalls, and two, this shamblinghordewill beonlydaysbehindus. Ifyouprevail inyourtrial,therewillbeampleopportunitytofindyourdoomwhentheyarrive.Whatdoyousay?"

"Sincethatonehasalreadydecidedourguilt,"saidRodi,noddingatvonVolgen,

"wesaynay."

Felixgroaned,butdrewhisswordandstoodbesidethedwarfs.Hedidn'twanttofightEmpiremen,butnorwouldhewatchwhileGotrekwasattacked.Katpulledherhatchetfromherbeltandcrouchedbesidehim.

"Ifyoufight,Gotrek,"shesaid,"Ifight."

"AndsodoesSnorri,"saidSnorri,balancingononeleg.

Gotrekgrunted,then,withaKhazalidcurse,heliftedhisheadandlevelledhisoneeyeatvonVolgen."Stop,"hesaid."Wewillgo."Roditurned,stunned."Wewill?"

"Wewill,"saidGotrek,notlookingawayfromvonVolgen."Wewillwearyourchainsandsubmittoyourtrial."

FelixandvonKotzebueletoutrelievedbreaths.VonVolgen'seyesgleamed.

"Arrest them,"he said. "Take theirweaponsandshackle them to thecart."Rodibristledat that andwent back on guard, butGotrek let his axe thud to the ground, his face cold and impassive. Rodistaredathim,asdidFelix.

"Drop it," saidGotrek, turningon theyoungerslayer."Or Idropyou.You too,manling.Andyou,littleone."

Felix shrugged and unbuckledKaraghul, then laid it next to the Slayer's axe. Kat threw down herhatchet aswell, butRodi stooddefiant for a longmoment, trying towithstand thebalefulglareofGotrek'sglitteringeye,thenhecursedandtossedhishammerbesidetherest.

12

VonVolgen'smensteppedforwardswithchainsandledFelix,Katandtheslayerstothewagon,thenurgedthemontoit.Whentheywereseated,themenchainedthemtothegunwales,evenSnorri.Theygavethekeytothedriverandtoldhimandhiscargomenthattheyhadthecareandfeedingofthem,thenreturnedtotheirmasters.

"GotrekGurnisson,"saidRodiasvonVolgenandvonKotzebuegallopedaway.

"Iwantanexplanation.Youhaverobbedmeofmydoom."

"Andmyselfaswell,"theSlayersaid,thenturnedhiseyeonSnorri,whowaslookingbacktowardsthevalley,oblivious."Neverinvolveyourselfinanotherslayer'sdoom,"hemuttered,andthatwasall.

As they got underway again, the last of the rearguard fell, and the zombieswelled up after themthroughthepasslikepusbubblingfromanopenwound.

Itwasagrimmarch.Thoughmostofthemenwerewoundedandpainfullywearyfromfightingtwoterriblebattlesback toback, therecouldbeno stopping to rest andbind theircutswith theundeadhordesocloseattheirheels.Theyhadtolimpon,shamblinglikezombiesthemselves,throughthelongdarkhoursofthenight,andthenfarintotheday,withoutproperrestandeatingfromtheirpacksatdawnbeforetrudgingonagainovertheendlesswastelandoftheBarrenHills.

Asheslumpedinthebackoftheopencart,thehoodofhiscloakpulledlowagainsttheever-presentwind,FelixhadtosmileatthefavourvonVolgenhaddonethem.IfthelordhadlettheslayersgototheirdoomandallowedFelix,KatandSnorritomarchwiththearmy,theywouldbesloggingalongbeside the cart with the others, mile after mile. Instead, as prisoners, they rode where the otherswalked,andsleptwhentheycould.

Felix'smoodwassoured,however,ashesawmenwoundedfarworsethanhedieontheirfeetaround

him.Overthecourseofthedaydozenstoppledtothegroundinmid-stepastheirexhaustioncaughtuptothem,orbledwhitewhilecarryingthestretchersofcomradesworseoffthanthemselves.Stillmorediedonthecartsbeforethesurgeonscouldgettothem--andwhentheydied,therewasnotimetoburythemproperly,norcouldtheybegrantedthedignityusuallyaccordedthedead.

Atfirst, tobesuretheydidnotriseagain,theheadsofthefallenwerecutoffandwrappedintheirshirtssotheycouldbeburiedtogetherlater.Unfortunately,thatprocedurehadtobeabandonedafteralltheseveredheadsstartedtalkinginunison,whisperingfromtheirbagsthatthemenshouldgiveup,thattheyshouldjustliedownandletthesweetreleaseofdeathcometothem.Afterthat,theheadswereallsmashedwithhammersandleftbehindasthearmiesploddedon.

VonVolgenandvonKotzebuefinallycalledahaltintheearlyafternoonandlettheirtroopsrestuntilnightfall.Wordcamedownthelinethat,fortherestofthemarch,theforcewouldbeallowedtonapduring theday,when thezombieswereat theirweakestand itwaseasiest tosee themcoming.Themarchwouldresumeatnightfalltokeepaheadofthem.

During that first daylight halt, weary pickets patrolled the perimeter and wearier field surgeonsworked straight through, trying to save the lives of knights and spearmen andhandgunnerswhosewoundshadbeenlefttoolong.Becausetheywere13

prisoners,thesurgeonspassedFelix,Katandtheslayersby,butthedriver,Geert,andhistwocargomen,stillgratefultothemforsavingtheirlifeandcargo,browbeatasurgeonuntilheconsentedtoseethem,andtheirwoundswerecleanedandbound.

ThesurgeonevenfoundsomehottartocauteriseandsealSnorri'sseveredleg.

Katshookherheadasshelookedattheslayer'sblackstump."Wefoughtsohardfornothing."

"Notnothing,"saidFelix, scratchingunder thebandage thesurgeonhadwrappedaroundhisupperarm."Didn'twestopagreatevilthatmighthavecausedthedownfalloftheEmpire?"

"Yes," she said, bitterly. "And another sprangup in its place before it breathed its last breath.Willthereneverbepeace?"

"Never,"saidGotrek,whowasalsolookingatSnorri'sleg."Wewillneverwin."

"Thenwhybothertofight?"askedKat.

"Sowedon'tlose."

Katfrowned."Idon'tunderstand."

"It is a lesson thedwarfs learnedof old," saidRodi, liftinghis head. "We fight toholdground. Insomebattleswewinbackaholdorahall.Inotherswearedrivenback.Butifwestoppedfighting..."Heshrugged.

Katslumpedagainstthesideboards,notlikingit.Felixreachedouttoputahandonhershoulderandfoundhischainswouldn'tlethim.

"Snorri thinks this isgood,"saidSnorri fromwherehe lay."ItmeansSnorriwillneverrunoutofthingstofight."

Gotrekturnedawayatthat,andglaredoutattheendlesshills,andRodiglaredatGotrek,whileSnorriclosedhiseyesandwentbacktosleep,blissfullyignorantoftheturmoilhewascausingamongsthisfellowslayers.

GotrekandRodihadbeenatsilentwarsincetheywerechainedup,andthetensionbetweenthemfeltlikeasixthpersononthebackofthecart--asleepingogresolargethatitcrowdedtherestofthemintothecornersandmadethemunabletolookateachother.Despitethediscomfort,Felixdidnottrytotalkthetwoslayersoutoftheiranger.Heknewbetter.Dwarfswerestubborn,andslayersthemoststubbornofdwarfs.Andwhatcouldhesayanyway?TheproblemofSnorriseemedinsoluble.

Adwarfbecameaslayertomakepenanceforsomegreatshame,swearingtoGrimnirthathewoulddieinbattleagainstthemostdangerousofenemiesasrecompense.Ifhediedinsomeotherfashion,or ifhiscourage failedhim,or ifhegaveuphisquest,hewouldnotbewelcomed intoGrimnir'shalls,andwouldspendeternityasamiserableoutcastspirit,wanderingthroughthedwarfenafterlife.Snorrihaddonenoneoftheseforbiddenthings.Hehadneverturnedfromhisquestandheremainedbravetothepointoffoolhardiness,butdespitethis,becausehehadlosthismemory,hewasingravedangerofdyingwithoutGrimnir'sgrace,andfacingeternaldamnation.

The troublewas that a slayerwas also required to diewith his shame firmly inmind, and Snorricouldnotrememberhis.Toomanyblowstothehead,toomanynailspoundedintohisskulltomakehisrustyslayer'screst--whateveritwas,SnorrihadtroublerememberingevenGotrek,whohadbeenhisfriendforoverfiftyyears.

HewouldregaleGotrekwithtalesofhisoldfriendGotrek,andnotrememberhimas14

thesamedwarfwhosatnexttohimnow.Buttheworstofthisforgettingwashisshame,whichhelastrememberedrememberingbeforethesiegeofMiddenheim,butnowcouldnotrecallatall.

ThenewshadstruckGotrekhard.Snorriwasoneofhisgreatestfriends,andFelixcouldseethatthethoughtthattheoldslayerwouldbedeniedentrancetothedwarfenafterlifepainedGotrekmorethananywoundhehadevertaken.Indeed,ithadcausedhimtofreeFelixfromhisvowtorecordhisdoomin an epic poem so that Felix could instead escort Snorri on his pilgrimage to the slayerKeep ofKarakKadrintoprayattheShrineofGrimnir,theslayergod,forthereturnofhismemory.

OnceFelixcompletedthistask,hewouldbefreefromhisvow,andabletolivehislifeashechoseforthefirsttimeinmorethantwentyyears.

Unfortunately,GotrekwasfindingthatkeepingSnorrialivewasinterferingwithhisowndoom,andworse,hadcausedhimnowtointerferewithRodi'saswell.FelixknewGotrekhadnotlikedtellingRodihecouldn'tfightvonVolgen'smen,butifthefighthadhappened,Snorrimighthavebeenkilled,andthatwasunthinkable.Andso,untiltheproblemofSnorriwassomehowresolved,RodiglaredatGotrek,andGotrekglaredatSnorri,whileFelixandKattriedtorestandignoretheslumberingogreortheirangerasbesttheycould.

Therewerenoattacksduringthatbriefafternoonstop,at leastnotfromoutside thecamp,butmen

whohadlaiddowntosleepbarelyalivelaterwokeupdeadandattackedtheirtentmates.Felixwastwice jerked awake by sudden screaming before the orders came down that anyman in danger ofdyingbeforehewokewastobetiedintohisbedrollandgaggedsohecouldn'tbite.

But evenwhen the screaming stopped,Felix found it hard to sleep, for he kept hearing the distanthowlingofwolves,andwhenhedidatlastdoze,thehowlinginvadedhisdreamsandhethoughtheheardsomethingsnufflingunderthecart.

Needless to say, itwasnot an easy rest, andhebreathed a sighof reliefwhen, just as the sunwassetting, the ragged army got under way again, leaving behind them a roaring pyre of burning,headlesscorpses--andlimpingsouthallnightoverthegrey,changelesslandscape.

Thoughthewolveshowledallnightlong,andthehalf-heardflappingofwingshadthemenlookingintotheskyateverystep, thecolumnsawnothingof theundeadthatnight,andfoughtonlytheicywindthatblewstiffandcoldandceaselessfromtheeast.Felix'sshacklesfrozehiswristsandankles.Hisfingerswentnumb.Katcurledupinsideherheavywoolclothesandhidherfaceinherscarf.Theslayersdidn'tevenshiver.

Themorningbroughtrelieffromthewind,butnonefromfearorcold,forathickfogsmotheredthehills, filling in thevalleysandbringingwith it awet, seepingchill thatmadebonesacheand teethchatter. Itwassodense thatFelixcouldbarelymakeoutRodiwherehesat in thefarcornerof thecart,andflappingwingscouldbeheardinitsdepths,whilethehowlingofthewolvesseemedevencloserthanithadbeenatnight.

VonKotzebueandvonVolgenkeptthemenmarchinglongpastdawninhopesthatthefogwouldliftandtheywouldbeabletoseewhentheymadecamp,butwhen15

ithadfailedtodissipatebynoon,therewasnothingtheycoulddobutcallahalt.Themenweretootiredtogoon.

The commanders ordered double pickets, set a ring of fires around the perimeter, and had theirknightsmakeconstantlong-rangecircuitsofthecamp.

NoneofthesemeasuresreassuredFelixintheleast.Thefogwassomehowmoreterrifyingthanthenight.Itcouldn'tbepushedbackwithtorches,anditplayedtrickswiththeear,makingsomesoundsseemcloser,whilehidingothersentirely.Hestaredoutintoit,unabletosleep,hiseyesshiftingfromplacetoplace,searchingforunseenmovementsandshadowsthatweren'tthere.

Ahoarsecryechoedfromthecamp.

"Anotherdeadmanwaking?"askedKat,lookingup.

"Idon'tknow,"saidFelix.

Hecranedhisneckbutcouldseenofurther into the fog.Anothercrycamefromthe left,and thenanotherfrombehindthem.

"Wolf!Killit!Killit!"

Hornsblaredfromeverydirectionandsergeantsbellowed.

"Companies,assemble!"

"Outofthosetents!Up!Up!"

Runningfootstepsthuddedpastverycloseby.

FelixandKat swivelled theirheads towardseachnewsound, strainingon their chains,butGotrek,RodiandSnorrionlystaredintothefog,unmoving.

"Howcanyoujustsitthere?"Felixasked."We'rebeingattacked."

"We'renotbeingattacked,"sneeredRodi."Theyare."

"Andiftheyturnonus?"insistedFelix."IthoughtyousubmittedtothesechainstokeepSnorrisafe."

"Snorridoesn'twanttobesafe,"saidSnorri.

"SnorriNosebiterwillnotmeethisdoomhere,"growledGotrek,wrapping theslackofhischainsaroundhis fists. "Nomatterwhat happens to the humans."Felix heardmovement and voices fromGeert'stent,onlyafewpacesaway,andturnedtowardsit.

"Geert!Releaseus!Giveusweapons!"

Butthedriverandhiscargomenranoutandintothefog,swordsandcudgelsdrawn,callingtotheircomrades.

"Bastards,"gruntedKat.

Anangrysnarlbroughttheirheadsaround.Ayoungspearmanranoutofthefog,pantingandwide-eyed,andturnedtosprintpastthecart,butahugeblackshapehurtledthroughtheairandbroughthimdown.

FelixandKatdrewback,sickened,asbloodandlimbsflew.Thebeastwastwiceasbigasitshouldbe,withrottingmuscleshowingthroughmangycrawlingfurandaskinlessskullforahead.

Anotherspearmanappearedandcharged,hisspearraised.

"Hoff!Hangon!"

Hestruckthewolf'sshoulderanditwhippedaround,snarling,totakeasecondthrustinthechest.Thespearsnapped,and thewolf slammed thespearman to thegroundrightnext to thecart, tearinghisthroatoutwithitsskeletaljaws.

16

FelixandKatheld theirbreathas it finishedhimoff,wincingat thesoundofcrunchingbones.Goaway,thoughtFelix.Gobacktoyourmasters.There'snooneelsehere.There'snothinglefttohunt.

Themonsterraiseditshead,sniffingthewind,thenturneditsredeyesstraighttowardshim.

"Bugger,"saidFelix.

Heheardthesharpsnapofbreakingchainsandturned.GotrekandRodiwerestandingandflexingtheirwrists.

Snorrihadbrokenhischainstoo,andwasstrugglingtositup."Snorriwill--"

"Snorriwillstaywhereheis,"saidGotrek.

Thewolfwaspaddingtowardsthemnow,circlingtocomearoundthebackofthecart.

Rodi tookup theslackofhisbrokenchainandheld it tightbetweenhis fists. "I'llhold it,"hesaid."Youkillit."

Gotreknodded.

Thewolfsprang.

Rodi ran tomeet it, and beast and dwarf slammed together inmid-air, then dropped out of sightbehind the tailgateasGotrek leaptover thesideboardsandsnatchedaspear fromoneof thedeadspearmen. Violent thuds shook the cart and the monster heaved up again with Rodi on its back,chokingitwithhischain.

Thewolfrolled,tryingtocrushhim,butGotrekleaptatit,spearhigh,andstabbeditsexposedthroatwithsuchpowerthatthepointpunchedoutthebackofitsneckandnearlyputRodi'seyeout.

ThewolfwentlimpandRodipusheditoff."Areyoutryingtomakemelikeyou,Gurnisson?"

Gotrekletthespeardropandclimbedbackintothecart."You'llneverbelikeme."

"Grimnir,Ihopenot,"saidRodi,followinghim."Stillchasingmydoomtwentyyearsfromnow?Nothanks."

A twinge of anger flashed acrossGotrek's face as they sat down again, but he said nothing, onlypickedupthesprunglinkofhisbrokenchain,slippedbothendsintoit,thentwisteditclosed.Snorrichuckledanddidthesame,andRodifollowedsuit.

KatstaredinwonderatthiscasualdisplayofstrengthandwasabouttosaysomethingwhenGeertandoneofhiscargomenlimpedoutofthefog,theirfacesbruisedandtheirclothestorn.Theothercargomanwasn'twiththem.

"Sigmar'sblood!"criedGeertwhenhesawthedeadspearmen."Here'stwomore!"

Heandthecargomanrantothedeadboys,thensawthewolfandcursedagain.

Geertlookedfromthedeadbeasttohisprisonersandback,glaringsuspiciously.

"Showmeyerchains!"

Felix,Katandtheslayersobliginglyliftedtheirchains.Geertgruntedtoseethemwhole.

"Thenwhokilledthisherewolf?"heasked.

Rodinoddedtothedeadspearmen."Theydid."

"Andwhokilledthem?"

17

"Thewolfdid,"saidGotrek.

Geertandthecargomanlookeddubiouslyfromthewolftothespearmenandback.

"Andhowdidtheykilleachotherwhentheywassofarapart?"

"Itwassomething,"saidFelix,gettingintothespirit."Youshouldhaveseenit."KatstifledalaughandGeertglaredather,butafteramomenthe just shookhisheadandstompedoff tohis tentwith thecargomanfollowing.

"Snorriwishestherehadbeenanotherwolf,"saidSnorri."Sohecouldhavefoughtonetoo."

Gotrekgruntedatthis,butsaidnothing,onlyglaredintothedistanceandtwistedhischains.RodiinturnglaredatGotrekandstrokedhisbraidedbeard,whileSnorri layback,oblivious,humminganoff-key tune. The same tortuous round again, Felix thought as he looked at the slayers. The sameirresolvabletangle.Hesighedandsatbackandreturnedtowatchingthefogforlopingblackshapes.

For twomoredays, thepattern remained thesame--apyreof theday'sdeadas theybrokecampatnightfall, adullmarchacross the featureless landscapeduring thehoursofdarkness, andshadowyhit-and-runattacksall through the fog-boundday. Itwas impossible to tellwhatprogress thearmywasmakingwheneverymist-shroudedhillandvalleylookedthesameastheonebefore,buttoFelixit seemed the columnwasmarching slower and slower, the sleepless, terror-filleddays andnightstakingatollofwearinessanddespair.

Andperhapsthecolumntrulyhadslowed,for,twohoursbeforesunsetontheeveningofthefourthday,asquadofvonVolgen'sknightscamethunderingintothecamp,shoutingthatthezombieswerenotmorethananhouraway.

Astheirtroopsscrambledtodressandpackandgetintomarchorder,vonKotzebueandvonVolgenandtheircaptainsconvenedatthenorthedgeofthecamp,lookingintothegreyfogasiftheymightseetheencroachinghordefromthere.TheytalkednearwhereGeerthadlefthiscart,andFelixcouldhearthemplainly.

"Theyhavemarchednightandday,"saidvonVolgen,"whilewehaveonlymarchednights."

"Yes,"saidvonKotzebue."ItisasIfeared.Slowastheyare,theyneverstop.

WewillnotoutrunthembeforewereachCastleReikguard.Atleast..."

"Atleastthefootsoldierswon't,"saidvonVolgenwhenthebarontrailedoff.

"Yes?"

VonKotzebuenodded."Ihavelessthanthreethousandfoottroopsleft,andmostofthemwounded,starvingandexhausted.Thehordemustnumbermorethantenthousand.Ifmymenstandandfight,theywilldie,anddonothingbutaddtothenecromancer'sranks.Iftheyrun,itisthesame.Yourtwohundredknights,however--"

"Wewillnotabandonyou,mylord,"saidvonVolgen,drawinghimselfup.

VonKotzebuetiltedhishead,andFelixthoughthesawhimsmilethroughhisenormousmoustache."Iwasthinkingmorethatwewouldabandonyou."VonVolgenfrowned."Idon'tunderstand."

18

"Itisthisway,"saidthebaron."ThenecromancersaysheisdrivingforAltdorf,andplanstotakethetownsandcastlesinhiswaytobolsterhistroops.CastleReikguardmustbehisfirsttarget,forithasthe largestgarrison, andhecannot afford tohave it athisback.But to take it, hemust act swiftly,beforeaconcerteddefencecanbebroughtagainsthim.Therefore,Ibelieveifourinfantryweretoturnaway fromhis lineofmarch,hecouldnot afford to follow.Hecouldnot spare the time."Helookedwest."WearealmostdueeastofWeidmarenhere. If Iwere tomarchwestandbolster theirgarrison,whileyouandyourknightsracedsouth-westtodothesameatCastleReikguard,wewouldstarvehimoffreshtroops,andmaketwoofthestrongholdsheabsolutelymusttakethatmuchhardertowin."HeturnedbacktovonVolgen."Whatsayyou?"

Von Volgen stroked his heavy chin. "I see the sense of it, but I wonder if Graf Reiklander willwelcomeanarmedforceofTalabeclandmenwithinhiswalls."

"Inthefaceofanenemysuchasthisnecromancer,mylord,"saidvonKotzebue,

"surelyEmpiremustcomebeforeprovince."

"Aye,baron,"saidvonVolgen."IonlyhopemylordReiklanderseesitthatway."Heshrugged."Well,ifyouwilltakemyfoottroopsandmywoundedaswell,Iandmyknightswillspeedsouth-westasyou suggested."VonKotzebuebowed. "Of course. Iwill givemy sergeants their orders."The twolordsandtheircaptainsturnedfromthefog-shroudedvista,butbeforetheyhadtakenmorethanafewstepsintothebustlingcamp,Rodiraisedhimselfupinhischainsandcalledafterthem.

"Hoy, lordling!" he barked. "Aye, you. The one who can't tell the dead from the living. If you'rerunningaway,whynotfreeusinstead?Wewouldn'twanttoslowyoudown."

VonVolgen'sbrutishbrowloweredintoascowl,andheturnedhiseyestoGeert.

"Make your cart ready to go," he said. "And find some extra chains."Geert saluted and the lordswalkedaway.

"Atthisrate,beardling,"saidGotrekwithoutlookingaround,"you'lllivelongenoughtolearnwhentoshutyourmouth."

For the next two days, vonVolgen and his two hundred knights rode hard to the south-west,withGeert'scartrattlingalongbehindtheothersupplywagons.Atnoononthefirstday,theyplungedintothe dark forest that bordered theBarrenHills. The narrow track they followedwas old and oftenovergrown,andforallvonVolgen'surgingsthattheymakehaste,sometimestheservantsandcargomenwereforcedtostopandshoulderthecartsoverthickrootsthathumpedupoutofthepath,ortoguidethemacrossrushingstreams.

Eachtimethisoccurred,thedwarfswouldwatchfromthecart,smug,asthemendidtheheavyworkbecausevonVolgenrefusedtounchainthem.Felixwastoouneasytoenjoytheirony.Whenevertheyslowed,hewouldstare into thedepthsof forest, fearing thatatanymomentundeadhorrorswouldlurchoutof theshadowsandattack.Adding tohisnerveswas thefact thatvonVolgenhadsenthisfieldsurgeonsalongwithhiswoundedtojoinvonKotzebue'strain,soifanattackdidhappen,therewouldbenoonetopatchthemup.

19

Butnoattackcame.Notthatday,northatnightwhentheymadecampinacrampedgladenotfarfromthetrack.Felixdreamedagainofwolfhowlsandblackwings,butwhenhewoke,sweatfreezingonhisbrow,heheardnothing,andtherewerenoalarmsfromvonVolgen'ssentries.

Thenextdaywasthesameasthefirst,exceptwithfreezingrain.Theforestwassothickovertheirheads that even though thewinter treeswerebareof leaves the raindropsdidnot reach them,onlygreatfatdripsfromtheblackbranchesthatnonethelesssoakedthemtothebone.Felixtriedtodrapehis cloakoverhimself andKat, but theywere chained just too far apart, andneitherof themwerefullycovered.

The dwarfs still showed no discomfort, except for wringing out their beards and flipping theirdroopingcrestsouttheireyes.Snorri'screstofnailsmadelittleredrivuletsofrustthatdrippedofftheendofhisbulbousnoselikeblood.

Thenextmorning, the rain stopped, though the clouds remained.Unfortunately, thedownpourhadmadeamudbathoftheirtrack,andthereweremanystopstopullthewagonsoutofwheel-suckingruts, but at last, in themiddle of the afternoon, the column came out of the forest and into awetpatchworkofdrearyfarmland,thefieldsblackandbrownandbareunderstone-greyclouds.

Felixsighedwithrelieftobeoutofthewoods,anditseemedtheknightssharedhismood.Theyhadbeenalmostentirelysilentforthelasttwodays,talkingonlywhennecessary,andlaughingnotatall,butnowtheybegantochatandjokeamongstthemselves.

Geertstooduponthebuckboardofthecartandpointedahead."That'llbeCastleReikguard,orI'magoblin,"hesaidtohissurvivingcargoman,Dirk.

"Soonbewarmanddrynow,"saidDirk,nodding.

"Andontrial,"saidRodi,withoutlookingup.

Gotrekdidn'traisehisheadeither,butFelixandKatstoodashighastheycouldintheirchainsandcraned their necks. A dull gleam, far in themisty distance, was the Reik, snaking north and westtowards Altdorf--and rising from it, like some massive, high-prowed stone ship, was a toweringcastle,heavywallsofdarkgranitecirclingacraggyhilltosurroundasternoldkeep.Agreattowerjuttedfromitsblackslateroof,risingsohighitspennonswerelostintheloweringclouds.

Felixhadseenthecastleoftenasaboytravellingwithhisfatheronbusiness.IthadbeenafamiliarlandmarktobewatchedforonthewaytoNuln,andhewassurprisedwhatasenseofnostalgiaandcomforthefeltseeing itagain.Thecastlewas thehereditaryseatof theReiklandprinces,andalsoKarlFranz'ssummerhome,aswellasthehomeofthegarrisonthathadguardedtheReikland'snorth-easternbordersincebeforeMagnusthePious.Hefelt,suddenly,thatafterhislongtrekthroughthewildanddangerousDrakwald,hewasbackinthecivilisedheartoftheEmpire.Thiswaswherehispeopleweretheirstrongest.Thiswashome.

Athuddingofhoovesbehindthemmadehimturnhishead.OneofvonVolgen'srearguardknightswasgallopingtowardsthemdowntheforestroad,hishorse'sflanksfleckedwithfoamandhiseyeswideandstaring.

"Mylord!"hecriedashereachedthetailofthecolumn."Mylord!They'recoming!"

20

TheknightthunderedontowardsthevanguardbeforeFelixcouldhearwhowascoming,andheandKatandtheslayerslookedbacktowardstheforest,asdidGeertandDirk.

"Whatdidhemean?"babbledGeert."Notthemcorpses?Theycouldn'thavecaughtupwithussofast,couldthey?"

The knights were turning too, wheeling their horses around to face the woods, now a half-milebehindthem,andamoment latervonVolgenandhiscaptainscanteredbacktostandwith themandstareatthedistantwalloftrees.

"Youarecertain?"askedvonVolgen,whennothinghappened.

"Yes,mylord,"saidtheknight,pantingalongwithhishorse."Andthewolveswiththem.They--"

Thentheyappeared.

Fromthedarkof theforestcameaswift, roilingblackness,shot throughwithflashesofwhiteandsteel and bronze, like shooting stars in a turbulent sky. Then the flashes resolved themselves. Thewhitewasbone--skull-facedridersleaninglowoverthenecksofbone-shankedhorses.Thesteelwasswordsandaxesandlance-tips,heldingauntletedhands.Thebronzewashelmsandbreastplatesandgreavesofancientdesign.Andastheskeletonsrode,thecloudsintheskyabovethemloweredandblackened,sothatthegreenfirethatflickeredintheiremptyeyesocketsglowedbrighter.

Felix swallowed, fear clutching at his insides. This was no shambling mob of clumsy corpses,mindless and unarmed. These riders were charging towards them in a disciplined line, as fast assmokebeforeastrongwind.Aspike-helmedwarriorinfullplateledthem,ablackswordheldhigh

inonegauntletedfist,whilethelowblackformsofdirewolveslopedbetweentheirsteedslikesilentshadows.

"Abouteighty,mylord,"saidoneofvonVolgen'scaptains,fightingtokeepthefearoutofhisvoice."Perhapsahundred."

VonVolgen'sheavy jaw tightenedandhewheeledhishorsearound. "Make for thecastle,"he said."Now!"

He galloped for the front of the column with his captains bawling orders to the wagons and theknightsastheyracedbehindhim.

Geert calledup a prayer toTaal and slapped the reins over the backs of his horses as the columnstarted forwards. "Comeon,Bette!Comeon,Countess!"The cargoman,Dirk, drew a hatchet outfromunderthedriver'sbenchandmadethesignofSigmar.

Felixwatched,mesmerised,astheundeadriderssurgedcloserbehindthemandvonVolgen'sknightsandtheotherwagonspulledawayaheadofthem.Weaponlessaboardtheslowestofthewagons,heandKatandtheslayerswereworseoffthantheyhadbeenagainstthewolvesinthefog.TheskeletalknightswouldridethemdownbeforetheywerehalfwaytoCastleReikguard.

21

THREE"Willyouallowthisdoom,Gurnisson?"askedRodi,sneering."Doesitmeetwithyourapproval?"

Gotrekglaredbackattheencroachingriders."Itdoesnot,"hesaid,thensnappedhischainsandstood.

RodiandSnorritookthatasasignandbroketheirstoo,whileGotrekfreedFelixandKat.

"Thankyou,Gotrek,"saidKat,rubbingherwrists.

"Thenwhatareyoudoing?"askedRodi."Areyougoingtofight?"

"IamgoingtoseethatSnorriNosebiterreachesthemanlingcastle,"Gotreksaid,andpulleduponeofthetightlyrolledlengthsofcanvastentingthatlayonthebedofthecart.

Rodisnorted."Wecoulddothatbyjumpingoffandfacingthem."

"Dowhatyouwill,"saidGotrek,andheavedthefirstrolloffthecart.

"Snorridoesn'twanttogotoacastle,"saidSnorri,tryingtostandonhisoneleg.

"Snorriwantstofight."

Rodishotanangryglanceattheoldslayer,thencursedandstartedthrowingoffthecanvasaswell.FelixandKatjoinedhim.

Geertlookedback,alarmed,asheheardthecanvasrollssplatbehindthemonthemuddyroad."Hoy!Whatarey'doingfree?Andthosearemytents!"

"Youwanttogobackandgetthem?"askedFelixasheandKatpitchedanotherrollofftheback.

Geertgroanedunhappily,butonlyturnedbackandcrackedthereinsagain.

The cart flew faster with every canvas they unloaded, and was soon bouncing and lurching in aterrifyingfashion,but itwasstillnot fastenough.Theyhadcaughtupwith theothercarts,butvonVolgen'sknightswerepullingfurtherahead,andtheundeadriderskeptgaining.

Katbenttoshoveoffsomeofthetentpolesthatlaystackedinthecentreofthecart,butGotrekstayedherarm.

"Waituntilthey'llmakeadifference,"hesaid.

Felixlookedbackattheriders.Nowthattheywerecloser,hesawthatnotallwereancientskeletons.Somestillhadfleshontheirbones,andworethecoloursofPlaschke-MiesnerorvonKotzebueorvonVolgen.Hestared,shocked.TheymusthavebeenknightswhohadfallenatTarnhalt'sCrown,butlike theirbronze-cladcomrades, theirmovementswereswiftandsure,not thevaguestumblingsofzombies.Wasthenecromancercontrollingthemlikepuppets,orhadhesomehowfoundawaytoletthemretaintheskilltheyhadpossessedinlife?

"HowdoesamadbeggarlikeFlanshavesuchpower?"Felixmumbled.

22

The cart boomed over an ancient stone bridge that crossed a wide, winding stream. Felix lookedaround.Thecastlewasclosernow,andhecouldpickoutdetails suchas spear-tipsglintingon thebattlementsandtheyawningarchofitsmaingate,butitwasstilltoofar.

Behindhim,thedeadridersboundedoverthebroadstreamasiftheyhadwings,thentoucheddowninasprayofmudandsurgedcloser,pushingbeforethemanicy,foetidwindthatmadeFelixshiverwithmorethanjustcold.

Gotrekpickeduponeofthetentpoles,nearlyaslongasapikeandheavier,thensteppedtothebackof the cart andheaved it like a javelin, straight at the spike-helmedwarrior at the front.The riderdanceditsbonehorsetotheleftandavoidedthepole,butitbouncedandknockedanotherdeadknightfromthesaddle.Therestswervedaroundhimandcameon.

Snorrilaughed."Thatlookslikefun.Snorriwantstotry."

"Notwithoneleg,youwon't,"saidRodiasheandGotrekpickedupmorepoles.

"You'llfalloffthecart."

Snorrisulked."Snorrinevergetstodoanything."

Gotrekhurledhisnextpolelowandtotheleft,andRodididthesametotheright.

Theybouncedinfrontoftheleadriders,hittingtheirhorsesatkneeheightandsendingthemcrashingneck-firsttotheturfinanexplosionofarmourandbones.

Morecrasheddownbehindthemasridersdodgedandslammedintoeachother,butthefallenswiftlyvanishedbehindtheblurringhoovesoftheothers,andthedreadwarriorsclosedranksandcameon.

GotrekandRodibenttotakeupnewpoles,andFelixdidthesame,gruntingattheweight.Thelonglengthofoakwasanawkward,unwieldyweapon,andhemarvelledagainatthestrengthofthedwarfstohavepitchedtheirswithsucheaseandaccuracy.

Asheraisedhistoverticalthecartbouncedandheoverbalanced,fallingagainstthesideboards.Katyelpedasthepolebangeddownonthedriver'sbenchbetweenGeertandDirk,andFelixlosthisgrip.

"Hoy!"saidGeert."Watchit!"

"Leaveit,manling,"saidGotrek,hurlinghispoleandbendingforanother.

Snorrisnorted."Snorricoulddoaswellasthat."Felixrecovered,flushing,anddrewthepoleback,lettingtheweightrestonthebench.

"Ah!"hesaid."That'sabetteridea."

"What?"askedKat."Notfallingoff?"

Felixignoredthedigandslidthepoleouttothesideofthecart,restingtheweightofitonthesideboardslikeitwasanoar.

"Ah!"saidKat."Iseenow."

The skeletal riders leapt a low stonewall and cameparallelwith the cart.Gotrek andRodi swungtheirpolesleftandrightatthem,dentingbronzehelmetsandknockingthemoutoftheirsaddles.

FelixloweredtheendofhisclosetothegroundandsweptitatthekneesofaskeletalhorseasGotrekbashedattherider.Thepolerippedfromhishandsasitgot23

tangled inmilling forelegs, but the horse went down and the rider fell under the wheels, armourcrumplingandbonessnapping.

"Goodwork,"saidGotrekasFelixbentforanotherpole.

"NowthisSnorricando,"saidSnorri.

Theoldslayergrabbedapoleandcameuponhisknees,thenhungitoutovertherightsideofthecartwhileFelixdidthesameontheleft,butbythetimetheywereinposition,mostofthedeadridershad already passed by, converging on the head of the column. Only a few of the loping wolvesremainedbehind,dodgingtheslayers'

swipesandtryingtoleapupontothecart.

Snorripunchedoneintheeyewiththebuttofhispoleandsentitstumblingintoatreetrunk.Gotrekknockedanotheroffthetailgateandlancedathird,buttheknightswerefaringlesswell.Theundeadriderscutthemdownatthegallop,butwhentheknightsslashedback,theirswordsrangharmlesslyofftheskeletons'

armour.Onlyaknightwithawarhammerdidbetter,shatteringskullsandfemurs,buthewentdowntoo,broughtlowbyadirewolfthattorehishorse'slefthindlegoffwithitsexposedjaws.

Anotherknightwentdownrightinfrontofasupplywagon,sendingitvaultingintotheairasitsrightwheel bounced over the falling corpse. The wagon crashed down on its side, pulling its draughthorses with it and throwing its driver and cargo men into a field. The wagons behind it barelyswervedasideintime,andGeertnearlyranintotheditch.

"Pullup!Pullup!"roaredvonVolgenashisbuglerblareddistresscalls."Formasquare!"

Thelordmightbeablindmanwhocouldn'ttellhissonfromacorpse,butFelixhadtoadmirehiscourageand tactical sense,and the trainingofhismen.When itwasclear theywouldn'toutrun theundeadcavalry,hedidnotpanicandkeepfleeing.Heorderedadefence,andhismenobeyedneatlyandwithoutquestion,despitetheirmortalterroroftheenemytheyfaced.

TheechoofvonVolgen'sorderhadnotdiedawaybeforethecolumnofknightshadsplit--twofilestotheleft,twototheright--andpulledupsmartly,allowingthesurvivingwagonstoslotbetweenthem

sotheyweresooninthemiddleofahollowsquareofknights,allfacingoutandfightingfortheirlives.

Geert andDirk let out relieved breaths as they pulled the cart to a stop, but thenGeert turned onGotrek, Felix and the others. "You shouldn't have broke them chains! I told you I'd..." He sighed."Well,I'mgladyoudid,though.Savedourbaconandnomistake.ButI'mbeggingye,"headdedasheandDirktookuptheirweapons,"stayonthecart.IfvonVolgenseesyoufree,it'smyhide."Gotrekshrugged."It'syourhideifwedonothing."HeturnedtoRodi."Youseekadoom,RodiBalkisson?Nowisthetime."

"Idon'tneedyourpermission,GotrekGurnisson,"snappedtheyoungslayer.

Thetwoslayersjumpedfromthecartandstartedtowardstheheadofthecolumn.

"Aw,now,gentles,"whinedGeertafterthem."Don'tdothistome.Haven'tIdonemybestforye?"

"Andwegotodoourbestforyou,"saidFelix,headingaftertheslayerswithKat.

"Snorriwantstocome,"saidSnorri.

24

"Youcan'twalk,Snorri," saidKat. "Defend thecart."FelixandKathurriedon,edgingbetween thewagonsandtheshifting,surgingbattlelineofknightsandwarhorsesasGeertandDirkcalledafterthemand theblasts fromvonVolgen's buglerwere finally answeredby an echoinghorn from thecastle.

Felix lookedupat thenoise.Helpwascoming,butwould itbesoonenough?Oneverysideof thehollow square, knightswere falling to the ancient swords of the undead riders.VonVolgen'smenmightoutnumber themthree toone,but theskeletons foughtwitha relentlessmechanical savagerythatknewnopainorpanic,whilethecoldwindoffearthatbreathedfromthemparalysedtheknightsandmadethemfalter.Itwouldbemereminutesbeforetheformationcollapsedcompletely.

TheslayersfoundvonVolgenatthefarendofthesquare,cursingandstandingoveradeadhorseashischosenknightsheldbacktheundeadridersandhissquiresscrambledtobringhimaremount.

"Lordling!"barkedGotrek."Returnourweaponsifyouwanttolive!"VonVolgenglancedoverhisshoulderashissquiresledahorseforwards."Gobacktoyourchains,murderer,"hesaid,swingingintothesaddle.

Gotrek'sbrowloweredandRodiballedhisfists.Felixcouldseetheywereaninchfromreturningtothecartandsittingontheirhandswhiletheknightsdiedallaroundthem.Felixcouldn'tstandbyandletthathappen.Hesteppedforwards.

"Mylord,"hecalled."Willyouletgoodmendiewhilewesitsafebehindthem?"VonVolgendrewhisswordandturnedhishorsebacktowardsthemelee,andFelixwonderedifhehadheardorcared,butthen,ashemadetospurforwards,helookedalonghislineandsawhowcloseitwastocollapse.Hislanternjawclenchedandhecalledtowardsthewagonthatcarriedhisbaggage."Merkle.Givethemtheirweapons."

Andwiththat,hesankhisspurs intohishorse'sflanksandpunchedbackinto theline,severingthehead of a recently-dead knight in black and gold as he shouted a challenge to the spike-helmedwarriorwholedtheriders.

GotrekandRodigruntedwithsatisfaction,thenturnedwithKatandFelixasthedriverclimbedintothebackofthewagonandunlockedachest.Hethrewbackthelidandtriedtoliftsomethingout,thentriedagain.

"Leaveit,"saidGotrek.

Heclimbedontothewagon,thenreachedintothetrunkandpulledouthisruneaxewithaslittleeffortasittookFelixtoliftapen.Heslungitoverhisshoulder,thenhandeddownRodi'shammer,Felix'sswordandKat'shatchet,bowandquiver.

FelixfeltemboldenedashestrappedKaraghulonagain.Nowhewasreadytofight.

Withoutanotherword,theslayersshoulderedthroughthestamping,side-steppingwarhorsesofvonVolgen's line, and plunged swinging into the mass of skeletal riders. Kat watched as they werebuffetedthiswayandthatbythemaelstromofsurgingboneandhorseflesh,andshookherhead.

"Iwouldn'tlastaminuteinallthat,"shesaid.

"Nor would I," said Felix, looking around. A few yards away was a steed that had lost its rider."Here!"

Herantoitandpulledhimselfintothesaddle,thenhauledKatupbehindhimanddrewKaraghulasshedrewherhatchet.Thewarhorseseemedtoknowwhereits25

dutylayandplungedintoagapbetweentwoknightswithonlythelightesttouchoftheheel,andFelixandKatfoundthemselvessuddenlyinthemiddleoftheswirling,clatteringmelee.

Adirewolfsnappedat thehorse'sneck.Felixchopped through thebeast's spine, thendecapitatedabronze-helmedriderthattrampledoverittolungeathim.Katshatteredtheskullofanotherriderwithherhatchet,butitgotcaughtinitshelmet,andasshetriedtoyankitfree,asecondwolfclampeditsjawsaroundherwristandalmostpulledherfromthehorse.

"Kat!"shoutedFelix,slashingawkwardlyatthething.

Katpulledagainstitsteeth,tryingtofreeherself,andstabbedleft-handedatitsskullwithherskinningknife,poppingoneofitseyes.Felixfinallytwistedaroundenoughtogetastrikeatitsneck,andhalf-severedit.Itfellaway,twitching,andKatrightedherselfbehindthesaddle.

"Areyouallright?"askedFelix,lookingback.

Shenodded,hidingawinceassheslashedatanotherrider."Itgotmostlycoat,Ithink."

Felixnodded,hopingshewasn'tbeingbrave,andtheyfoughton.

Totheirleft,GotrekandRodiwerehewinglikewoodsmenthroughaforestofboneandfleshhorselegs.Despitetheirrecentarguing,theslayerswereaneffectiveteam.Rodiwouldsmashthroughtheforelegsofahorsewithhishammer,bringingitcrashingtotheground,andGotrekwouldchopofftherider'shead,thenontothenext.Theyweregettingkickedandkneedandcrushedbybothsides,buttheyjusttookthepummellingandkeptonkilling.

Then,withatantaraofhorns,twoscoreknightsappeared,gallopingoverthefields,thewhiteandredbannerofCastleReikguardcrackingabovetheminthewind.VonVolgen'sknightsgaveagreatcheeratthesight,andrenewedtheirattacksonthedreadriders.VonVolgenhimself,however,didn'tlooklikehewouldlivelongenoughtobesaved.Hewasindesperatetrouble.Theheavyblackswordofthespike-helmetedskeletonhadcuthisplatetoribbons,andhewasreelinginthesaddle.

But then, just as the dread knight knocked vonVolgen's sword from his hand and raised its blackbladeforthekillingstroke,itsskull-headedhorseshudderedbeneathitandstaggeredsideways.Theswordmissed vonVolgen by a hair's breadth and the dead rider turned to aim a cut at somethingbelowit.

Thestrikeneverlanded.Instead,thebonehorsetoppledforwardsandtheancientwarriorfellwithit,vanishingundertheseethingcombat.Felixsawanorangecrestofhairbobupandanaxe-headflashdown,andashoutoftriumphburstfromvonVolgen'smen.

ItwasimmediatelyechoedbythewarcriesoftheReiklandknightsastheyslammedintotheflanksofthedead riders, lances lowered.Ascoreofancientwarriorswentdownunder thecharge, smashedfromtheirhorsesandriddenoverinasplashofshatteredbones.FelixandKatsurgedforwardswithvonVolgen'sknights,yellingandslashingatthedeadridersfromthefrontastheReiklandersbashedatthemfrombehind.

Inthefaceofthisdoubleassault,theancientsturnedandracedbackthewaytheyhadcome,butnotlike any living troops Felix had ever seen. They didn't break in ones and twos, nor throw theirweaponsawayinpanic.Instead,itwasasifan26

unheardvoicehadwhisperedasingleorderfor,asone,theyandthewolveswheeledandfoughtfreeofthemeleetoraceawaywithoutabackwardsglanceoranyattempttorescuetheirfellowswhohadbeenlaidlowbehind.

Felixexhaledgrimlyandslidfromtheborrowedhorse,thenhelpedKatdownasallaroundthemvonVolgen's captains called for perimeters to be set and for thewounded and dead to be counted andcollected.

"Howisit?"askedFelix,ashesawKatpressingherarm.

Before she could reply, Rodi's booming voice rose from nearby. "By Grimnir!" he shouted. "Dohumanshavenohonouratall?"

Felix andKat exchanged a glance, then hurried around a knot of knights to find vonVolgen, hispowerfulframehunchedwithpain,supportinghimselfwiththeaidofhisswordandstandingbeforeGotrek andRodiwhile hismenmoved in to surround them.Rodiwas sputteringwith fury,whileGotrekwasstaringatthewoundedlordwithcold,silentmenace,hisruneaxeattheready.

"Cursethem,"saidFelix,thenhurriedforwardswithKatrunningbesidehim.

"Youarestillmyprisoners,"vonVolgenwassayingastheyreachedtheconfrontation."Youwillnotbeallowedyourweapons."

"Youdon'ttrustourword,"growledGotrek,"afterwesavedyourlife?"

"Idon'ttrustyourrestraint,"saidthelord."Youmightkillanyoneinyourfrenzy."

Gotrek's eye got colder still, and Felix's heart lurched.He had to say something before therewasbloodshed,thoughhehadnoideawhat.

"Mylord!"hecalled,pushingthroughvonVolgen'smen."Mylord,I--"Hestumbledoverthebodyofa knight in red, black andgold andglanceddown to step around it.Theknight's severedhead laystaringupattheskyfromunderhisleftarm.Felixstopped.Heknewtheknight'sface,andallatonceknewwhathewouldsaytovonVolgenaswell.

"Mylord,"hecalled."Ifyouintendtotrymycompanionsforthemurderofyourson,thenperhapsyoushouldsubmityourselftotrialaswell--forthemurderofyournephew,ViscountOktafPlaschke-Miesner."

Allheadsturnedhisway.

"What is this nonsense, vagabond?" the lord snarled,wincing as he turned to faceFelix. "I haven'tkilledmynephew.IwastoldhediedatTarnhalt'sCrown."

"Andyetheishere,mylord,"saidFelix,indicatingthebodyoverwhichhestood."Andcutdownbyyourhand,ifIrecall,onlymomentsago.Perhapshedidn'tdieatTarnhaltafterall.Perhapshewastryingtoescapetheseskeletonswhenyoustruckhim."

VonVolgenpaledandstumpedforwardstostaredownat theboyinblackarmour.Hewrinkledhisnose.Oktafsmelledlikeaweekoldcorpse,whichofcoursehewas.Hisblondhairwasmattedwithfilthandhisbeautifulfacemarredbyaterriblewound,blackandrottingattheedges,thatshowedhisbackteeth.Fliescrawledaroundhislips.

"Youdidnotrecognisehimwhenyoucutoffhishead,mylord?"Felixasked.

"Youdidn'twaittobesurehewasn'tstillalive?FromwhereIfought,itlookedlike27

hewascomingtohelpyou,notkillyou.Wereyousocertainhewasazombie?Willyoubeabletolookhismother in thefaceand tellher--"VonVolgen's fistsclenched."Enough,curseyou!You'vemadeyourpoint!"HeglaredatFelix,hisbulldogfaceflushed."Iconcedethatmysonmayhave...thathemightpossiblyhavebeen..."

"Hewas,mylord,"saidKat,steppingupbesideFelix."HewasdeadbeforeyouarrivedatTarnhalt.Wesawhimdie,killedbythebeastmen'swar-leader."VonVolgenturnedhisterribleeyesonher,andFelixgrippedhissword,readyshouldthelordtryandstrikeher,butinsteadheturnedaway,shovinghismenasidetolimponhisownbacktowardshishorse.

"Gotrek and Rodi and the knights remained on guard as he lurched unsteadily across themuddy,trampledharrows,then,halfwaytothehorse,"hestaggeredtoastopandclosedhiseyes.

"Releasethem,"herasped.

Theknightsrelaxed,loweringtheirswordsandhammers,andGotrekandRodinodded,smug.

"But,hearme!"criedvonVolgen,turningandstandingstraight."Iwillhavemyvengeance!BeforeSigmarandTaal,Iswearthefoulnecromancerwhodefiledmyson'scorpseanddisturbedhiseternalrestwilldieforhisdepredations,andallhisworksshallbecastdown!"

Hismencheered,raisingtheirswordshigh."Deathtothenecromancer!LongliveLordvonVolgen!"

"Wellspoken,mylord,"cameanewvoice."ButpleasetellmewhattroubleyouhavebroughtintothedomainofGrafFalkenReiklander."VonVolgenandtheotherslookedaroundtoseetwoarmour-cladnoblemeninredandwhiteapproachingonapairofsturdywarhorses.Theonewhohadspokenwasatall, trim knight ofmiddle years, with a jutting black beard and fierce brows, who rode ramrod-straightinhissaddle.Athissidewasaflorid,heavysetolderman,whosebreastplatebulgedoverhissaddlebow toaccommodatehisbelly, andwhose faceandneatly-trimmedbeardwere runningwithsweat.TherestoftheReiklandknightsgatheredbehindthem.

"YouareReiklander,then?"askedvonVolgen.

"IamGeneralTaalmanNordling,"saidtheblack-browedknight,bowingfromthewaistinhissaddle."ActingcommanderofthecastleuntilGrafReiklandercanresumehisposition."

The red-faced lord mopped his jowls. "The graf is recovering from wounds he received duringArchaon's invasion," he said, then bowed as well. "Bardolf von Geldrecht, his steward, at yourservice.AndtowhomdoIhavethehonourofspeaking?"

"IamRutgervonVolgen,vassalofCountFeuerbachofTalabecland,"saidvonVolgen,returningthebow."AndIthankyou,mylords,foryourtimelyintervention."Helookedaroundatthewoundedandthedeadandtheskeletonsthatlitteredthefield,thensighed."Ididnotwishtobringyoutrouble,buttowarnyouofitscoming.Thesearebutthevanguardofanarmyoftheundeadsometenthousand28

strong,whichisledbyanecromancerofgreatpowerwhomarchesonAltdorf,andmeanstoswellhisrankswiththecorpsesofeverygarrisoninhisway."Nordlingblinked.Theknightsaroundhimmurmuredamongstthemselves.VonGeldrecht'sredfacepaledalittle.

"Tenthousand?"heasked."Youarecertain?"

"Perhapsmore,"saidvonVolgen."Manyofmymennowwalkwiththem,turnedagainstmeindeath.Theyarelessthantwodaysbehindus,perhapsonlyone.We--"Hecutoffasaspasmofpainmadehimwinceandhenearlyfell.Hismenrushedtohimandsteadiedhim.

FelixsawvonGeldrechtwhispertoNordlingasvonVolgenrecoveredhimself,andwonderedifthemenwere going to turn them away, but finally General Nordling turned back to vonVolgen andbowed.

"Forgiveme,mylord,forignoringyourwounds,"hesaid."YouandyourmenarewelcometoCastleReikguard.Enterandbringyourwounded.Thegrafwillbeinformedofyourgravenews."

VonVolgenwavedweakly,andhisretinuepickedhimupandcarriedhimtohisbaggagewagonwhilehisknightsandservantsgatheredtheirwoundedanddead.

FelixandKathelped,guidingorcarryingmaimedmentotheirhorsesorthewagons,andtheslayersdid the same,pickingup fullyarmouredmenwithease.GotrekandRodialsocutoff theheadsofthoseknightswhohadbeenkilledinthebattle.VonVolgen'smen,longsinceawareofthenecessity,didnotobject,butStewardvonGeldrechtwasoutraged.

"Whatareyoudoing,youhorriblesavages?"hesaid,trottinguponhishorse.

"Youdefilethebodiesofmymen!"

Gotrekglaredupathimashemovedtothenextbody."Betternowthanlater."

"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean," insistedvonGeldrecht,and turnedhishorse toblockGotrek'sway."BySigmar,Ishouldhaveyouslainonthespot."Gotrekgrowledandreadiedhisaxe.

"Hemeans,"saidFelix,hurryingtothem,"thatwhenthenecromancercomes,hewillraisethedead,foe and friend alike. Ifwedon't do this now,my lord,wewill be facing these samemen in battlelater."

VonGeldrecht sputtered, his red face growing redder, butwith the evidenceofPlaschke-Miesner'scorpseandtherestoftherecentlyrisenknights,therewasnoargumenthecouldmake.

"Ifitmustbedone,itmustbedone,"hesaidatlast."Butwewilltendtoourown.Leavethemalone."

Gotrekshruggedandreturnedtohelpingthewounded,andFelixandKatdidtoo.

ButKatnearlylosthergriponthefirstknighttheyhelped,andhissedassheclenchedthearmthedirewolfhadbitten.Thecuffofherwoolcoatwasblackwithblood.

Felixcursed."Ithoughtyousaiditgotmostlycoat."

"Aye,"saidKat."Mostly,butnotall."

Felixwantedtotellher therewasnoneedtoplaythehero,butheresisted.Shehadlongagomadehimpromisenottocoddleher.Insteadhefollowedasshewentin29

searchofmorewounded,andhelpedhercarryahandfulofknightstothecolumn--

buthemadesurehedidthebulkofthelifting.

Finally,theycouldfindnomore,andreturnedtoGeert'scart,wherethingshadnotgonewell.Snorriwasfine,andhadcrushedadreadriderwithanothertentpole,butGeertwasbindingadeepcutonhisleg,andDirkwasdead,lyingacrossthedrivingbenchwithanaxewoundinhischest.

"I'msorry,"saidFelix,asheandKatclimbedaboard.

Geertshrugged."Ifyou'dstayed inyerchains itwouldhavebeenallofus."They laidDirkbesideSnorri,andFelixclosedhiseyeswhileKatwhisperedprayerstoTaalandMorroverhim,thenpriedthehatchetfromhisrigidhandandslippedit intoherbelt.Felixsmiledashesatdownnext toher.Respectandpragmatism--themarksofaveteran.Attheheadofthecolumn,vonVolgensignalledthecompany forwards, and the last of the wounded were hurried to the wagons as the captains andsergeantsrelayedtheorderdowntheline.

AstheymovedoutGotrekreturnedandpulledhimselfupontothetailgate.Rodiappearedamomentlateranddidthesame.

"You'renotleaving,Balkisson?"askedGotrekasRodisat."You'refreenow.

Anddoomawaitsinthewood."

RodishotSnorriaglance,thenshookhishead."Doomwillcometothecastletoo,Gurnisson.Icanwait."

30

FOURMencheeredfromthewallsofCastleReikguardasvonVolgen'sandNordling'sknightsrodeoverthedrawbridgeandunderthearchofitsmassivegatehouse.Felixlookedaroundatthedefencesasthewagonsfollowedthemin.Themoatoverwhichthedrawbridgelaychurnedwithswift-flowingriverwater, diverted from theReik,which looked as if it could sweep away any attacker smaller than agiant.Thehighstonewallsthatsurroundedthecourtyardwerethick,strong,andingoodrepair,andthe inner keep, looming above the courtyard on top of a steep rocky hill and reachable only by anarrowandeasilydefendedstair,lookedevenstronger--asquare,brutishfortressofmassivegraniteblocks.

Thecourtyardcontainedallthethingsacastlewasexpectedtohave--asmithy,astables,atempleofSigmarandhalf-timberedresidencesbuttedupagainsttheinsideoftheexteriorwalls--butitalsohadamoreunusual feature: a small harbour.The castlewasbuilt right on thebankof theReik, and awatergate,almostdirectlyoppositethemaingate,openedtotherivertoletboatsinandout.Therewereseveralboatsmooredatthewoodendocks--twobigsloops,kittedoutwithcannonsandswivelguns,aswellasafewsmalleroarboats.Therewasalsoawarehouseandatwo-storeybarracksatthequayside.Whattheplacedidnotseemtohave,atleastnotinanygreatabundance,wasmen.Felixhadexpectedtoseecompaniesofspearmenreadytomarchoutinaidoftheknights.Heexpectedscoresofgroomsstandingbytoreceive theirhorses.Heexpecteddozensoffieldsurgeonsandscoresofservantsrushingouttohelpthewounded.Instead,therewasonesurgeon,ahunchedlittlecrowofamanwithameagrehandfulofassistants,andaplumpoldSisterofShallyawithafewveryyoung-lookinginitiatestohelpher.Therewerenomorethanadozengrooms,andthoughthespearmenwhomannedthemaingatelookedhaleenough,toomanyofthefightingmenwhohurriedfromtheout-buildingsanddownfromthewallstogreetthereturningknightswerewoundedandmaimed.

Therewerespearmenoncrutches,handgunnerswithslingsontheirarms,greatswordswithbandagedheads,artillerymenwithmissinghandsandlegs.Theylimpedandhobbledforwardsalongwiththeirmorewholecomrades tohelp thebatteredknightsoff theirhorseswithadmirable selflessness,buttheywerehardlybetteroffthemselves.AchillcameoverFelixashewatchedthescene.ThegarrisonofCastleReikguarddidn'tlookreadytostanduptoanarmyoftenthousandundead.

VonVolgen,beinghelpedfromhisbaggagecartbyhismen,musthavenoticedthisaswell,forheroundedonNordling,whowashandingoffhislancetoasquireandswingingdownfromhishorse.

"General,whatisthis?"heasked."Wherearetherestofyourtroops?Isyourgrafundefended?"

31

Nordlingliftedhisblack-beardedchin,glaring."ThemajorityofGrafReiklander'stroopsarelikelywheremanyofyoursareaswell,innortherngraves.

Talabeclandwasnottheonlyprovincetomarchagainsttheinvaders."

"Ididnotsay--"saidvonVolgen,butStewardvonGeldrechtinterruptedhim.

"TheReiklandtoogaveofitsbestandbravest,LordvonVolgen,"hepuffed,steppingupbesidethe

general."MylordReiklandermarchednorthinsupportofhiscousin,theEmperorKarlFranz,attheheadof three-quartersofCastleReikguard's strength.Onlyamonthagohe returnedwith less thanone-quarterstillwithhim,andmanyofthosegravelywounded.Becauseofthis,weareatlessthanhalf strength." Von Volgen's jaw clenched. "That is... unfortunate. I--I had hoped Castle Reikguardwouldbeabulwarkagainstthisnecromancer'shordes."

"Itwillbe,mylord,"saidNordling,hard."Wemaynotbeatfullstrength,butwewillnotfalterforthat."HeturnedtovonGeldrecht."Lordsteward,consultwiththegraf.Iwillgathertheofficersandwewillmeetinthetempletohearhiswill."

"Atonce,general,"saidvonGeldrecht,bowing,andhurriedtowardsthestairstothekeep.

NordlinglookedbackatvonVolgen."Mylord,ifyouarewellenough,perhapsyouwilljoinusandtelluswhatyouknowofthisthreat."

"Ofcourse,"saidvonVolgen."Oncemywoundsarebound,Iamatyourservice."

Felixwatched, frowning, asNordling bowed and strode towards the barracks,while vonVolgen'smenhelpedhimontoastretcherandstartedtoremovehisarmour.IfNordlingwasincommandofthe castle untilGrafReiklander recovered hiswounds,whywas it Steward vonGeldrecht's job toconsultwiththegraf?

"Therewillbeagooddoomherewhenthenecromancercomes,"saidRodiapprovinglyastheyallstartedtogetdownfromGeert'scart.

Snorrinodded."Snorrithinkssotoo."

"Aye,"saidGotrekheavily.

Gotrekputhis shoulderunderSnorri's armandhelpedhimas theycrossed towhere thewoundedknightswerewaiting for the castle's surgeon and Sister of Shallya to see them.They sat, andKatshrugged out of her bigwool jacket, then unlaced the sleeve of her hardened leather jerkin. Felixwincedasshepeeleditback.

Therewasadark,U-shapedbruisefromthedeadwolf's jawsonherforearm,halfadozenbloodypuncturewoundsperforatingitlikerubiesonapurpleribbon.

"Waithere,"hesaid."I'llgetsomewater."

"I'llgotoo,"saidGotrek.

Snorrilaughedathim."Water?Whatdoesadwarfneedwithwater?Snorrithinksyoushouldgetbeerinstead."

Felix too thought itwasstrange thatGotrekwantedwater.TheSlayeralmostneverdrank thestuff,andhardlyeverwashed,butasFelixfilledhiscanteenatthecastle'swell,thereasonwasrevealed.

"YouandthelittleonewilltakeNosebiterawaytomorrowmorningbeforethenecromancercomes,"saidGotrek,lookingbackatSnorri.

"Aye,Gotrek,"saidFelix."AsIpromised.ToKarakKadrin.Though... thoughit feelsstrange that Iwon'tbeheretorecordyourdoom."32

Gotrek shrugged. "Myepic is long enough."He spat on theground and startedback to theothers."Toolong."

FelixfinishedfillinghiscanteenandfollowedtheSlayer.

"Itwillwait,"saidthepinch-facedlittlesurgeon,glancingbrieflyatKat'sbitebeforesteppingtotheknightwholaybesideher.

TheplumppriestessofShallyaandanassistantfollowedbehindhim,makingnotesinaledger.

Felix stared after them, then stood, angry. "Surgeon, the wounds are likely poisoned or diseased.Haven'tyousomeointment,or--"

"WhatIhave,"snappedthesurgeon,roundingonhimwithabeakyblackglare,

"isacourtyardfullofwoundedfightingmen,whowillhavetofightagain,soon.

Peasants,womenandvagabondswillhavetowaituntilthosewhocontributetoourdefenceareseento."

"Howdoyouthinkshegotthat?"askedFelix,pointingtothewound.

"Aye,"saidRodi."Thegirl'samatchforanytwoofyourfightingmen."

"It'sallright,"saidKat."He'llseemewhenhecan."

"No,itisn't,"saidFelixlevelly.

The priestess of Shallya looked over her shoulder, guilty, but the surgeon continued on, ignoringthem,untilGotreksteppedinhiswayandfoldedhisarmsoverhisbeardedchest.

Thesurgeonglaredandopenedhismouth,butGotrekjustkeptstaringathim,andwhateverhehadintendedtosaywitheredinhisthroat.Finallyhesnortedandturnedback."Verywell.Verywell."

HecrossedtoKatandpulledherarmstraightwithmoreforcethanwasnecessary.Shestifledahiss,thensatstoicandgrimasheproddedandsqueezedthebite.

"Ajobforyou,SisterWillentrude,"thesurgeonsaidatlast."Whateverpoisonsthebeastcarriedarealreadyinthebloodstream."Helookedbackathisassistant.

"Fetterhoff,letthesistermakeherprayers,thensalveitandbindit."Hestoodandstartedbacktothewoundedknight."Andbequick."

"Yes,SurgeonTauber,"saidtheassistant.

Felixandtheslayerswatchedhimgowithsulleneyesasthepriestessandtheassistantgottowork.

ThesistertookKat'sarmingentlerhandsthanTauber's,andmurmuredoveritwhiletouchingeachof thepunctureswithher plump fingers.The assistant opened a leather case and tookout apot ofsalveandalengthofgauze.

"Whereisthemessinthisplace?"Rodiaskedtheassistant."Allthatfightingmademehungry."

"Andthirsty,"saidSnorri.

Beforetheassistantcouldanswer,SisterWillentrudefinishedherprayersandsmiled."Themesshallisintheunderkeep,"shesaid,pointingtoapairoftalliron-bounddoorssetintotherockyhilluponwhichsatthekeep.Theywereswungwide,revealingashadowyinterior."Eveningmessisatsunset,butthere'salwaysfoodforvaliantfightersatCastleReikguard."ShesmiledoverhershoulderasshestartedafterthesurgeonandtheassistantstartedsalvingKat'sarm."Andbeeraswell."33

Theslayersbrightenedconsiderablyatthis,andGotrekandRodihelpedSnorriup,thenputhisarmsovertheirshoulders.Butbeforetheycouldtakeasteptowardstheunderkeep,ayoungknightinthemustardandburgundyofvonVolgen'stroopshurriedtowardsthemandmadeatightbow,blockingtheirway.

"Yourpardon,meinenherren," he said. "LordvonVolgen requests yourpresence in the templeofSigmar.Hisson'sscoutssayyouhavesomeknowledgeofthenecromancerbehindallthis."

Theslayersglaredathimandkeptwalking.

"Wedon'tknowanymorethanhedoes,"saidGotrek.

"Nevertheless,"saidtheyoungknight,backingupbeforethem."I'mafraidImustinsist."

"Willtherebebeer?"askedSnorri.

"Willtherebefood?"askedRodi.

Theyoungknightscowled."Thisisacouncilofwar,meinenherren."

"Whohasawarcouncilonanemptystomach?"askedRodi."Comeseeusafterwe'veeaten."

Theyoungknightwasturningredintheface."But--but,meinenherren..."Felixgrunted."I'llgo,"hesaid, thenstoodandlookeddownatKat,whowaswaitingastheassistanttiedoffherbandage."I'llfindyouinthemess."Shesmiledupathim."I'llmakesuretheysaveyousomebeer."ThetempleofSigmarwas just to the rightof themaingate--asquat, sturdystonebuildingwithasimplewoodenhammerhungaboveheavywoodendoors.Felixfollowedtheyoungknightintothestark,unadornedinteriorandmade tostandbehind theothermenwhoweregathered there,butvonVolgen, leaningwearily against the heavy stone altar next toNordling and vonGeldrecht, beckoned him forwardswithasplintedhand.Despitehiswounds,orperhapsbecauseofthem,helookedevenmoreofabruteoutofhisarmourthanin,hisbatteredheadgrowingoutofhisshoulderswithoutahintofneck,andhisbroadchestswathedinbandagesunderhisopendoublet.Wounded,thoughtFelix,butinnowayweak.

"Meinherr,welcome,"hebarked."Now,telluswhatyouknowofthiscursednecromancer."

Felixsteppedtothealtar,thenturned,feelingawkwardwithalleyesuponhim.

Themenwereahard-lookingbunch,asbefittedtheofficersofoneofthegreatcastlesoftheEmpire,butalsohard-used,withmanyafreshscarandbandageamongthem.HesawnoonehethoughtmightbeGrafFalkenReiklander.

"Well,"hesaid."WefirstsawhimaswewereleavingBrasthof,onthetrailofthebeastherd.Hesaidhis namewasHans theHermit, and he offered himself as a guidewho knew theBarrenHills.Heseemed...abitmad,butheknewhisbusiness.

He led us to the beasts, and then showed us tunnels--old barrows--that led under their camp toTarnhalt's Crown. He said he was a grave-robber." Felix smirked ruefully. "And he is at that, Isuppose."

Nobody laughed, so he continued. "We--we should have known he wasmore than he seemed. Hesmelledofdeath,andslippedoutofshacklesthatheshouldn'thavebeenabletoescape."

34

"Didhespeak?"askedGeneralNordling."Didhebetrayanyweaknesses,anyschemes?"Withouthishelmet,theblack-browedknightrevealedaringofshortblackhairaroundabaldhead.

"Notbeforehe raised thedead," saidFelix. "But after... after,he spoke through thecorpsesas theyclosedonus,allofthemtalkinginunison.Hesaidthebeast-shaman'smagichadinterferedwithhisown,andhehadledus to thembecauseheknewGotrek'saxecoulddestroytheirherdstone,whichwasthesourceoftheirpower."HeturnedtovonVolgen."I'mafraidthat'sallIknowofhim.Youwerethere for the rest,my lord.He set thedead against us and threatened to sackAltdorf."VonVolgennodded,thenlookedaroundattheothers."Haveanyofyouheardrumourofsuchavillain?Haveanyfoughthimbefore?"Theofficersallmumbledandshooktheirheads,butthenagravelvoicespokefromtheback.

"Whatdidhelooklike,thisnecromancer?"

Felix lookedupandsawa long-jawedoldpriestofSigmarsittingonastoolbehindtheothers.Hemight once have been a powerfulman, but hewas frail now, and blind.Therewas a ragwrappedaround his eyes and he held a cane instead of the traditional hammer.A skinny Sigmarite acolytestoodathisleftshoulder,andtheplumpoldsisterofShallyastoodathisright.Anotherwomanstoodbesideher--anoblewomanofaboutfortyyears,withbraidedblondehaircoiledtightlytoherhead.

Shewasbeautifulandrichlydressed,butcarriedasadnessinhereyesthatwaspainfultolookupon.

"Helookedlikeabeggar,"saidFelixtothepriest."Awild-eyedoldmadmanwithalongdirtybeardandfilthyrobes.Noonewantedtotouchhim,letalonestanddownwindofhim."

"Doyouknowhim,FatherUlfram?"askedvonGeldrecht.

Thepriestfrowned,wrinklingthebandageoverhiseyes."No,no.ThatisnotthedescriptionIfearedtohear.Thismanisunknowntome."Hesighed."Therearesomanywickedmennow.SomanyturnawayfromSigmarand...and..."Hetrailedoff,staringblindlyatapointoverthealtar,hismouthstill

open.Felix stared.Howdidsucha feebleoldmancome tobepriest foragarrisonedcastle?Whywasn'tthereawarriorpriesthere?

Afteranuncomfortablesecond,hisacolytepattedFatherUlframon theshoulderand theoldpriestsubsided,muttering,"Thankyou,Danniken.Thankyou.WasIsayingsomething?"

"Yes,FatherUlfram,"murmuredtheacolyte."Andwellsaiditwas.Verywellsaid."

A sturdy handgunner captainwith a short brown beard and a plain, open face stood and coughed."Lord general," he said. "I don't know about the others, but if this fellow can raise ten thousandcorpses,itdoesn'tmatterifhe'smad.Wehaven'tenoughmennowtostophim."

"I'mwithHultz,"drawledascrawny,sandy-hairedspearcaptainwhoslouchedagainstapillar.Despitearecentscarthatpuckeredthewholeleftsideofhisface,hiseyesglintedwiththeslyhumourofabarrackstaleteller."Iwentnorthwithfourhundred.Icamebackwithseventy.We'vedoneourbit.Letsomebodyelsetakethefirstchargeforachange."

35

Thehandgunnercaptainandashortred-cheeked,red-headedmaninthecanvasbreeksandjacketofaboatmanmurmured their approval, but a tall young greatsword captain with a bushy blond beardstoodandroundedonthespearman.

"Our 'bit' never ends, Zeismann!" he barked. "We are soldiers of the Empire.We never shirk ourduty."

"Easy,Bosendorfer,"saidZeismann."Ididn'tsaymyladswouldn'tfight.Ijustthinkweshoulddoitfromabetterposition."

"Thatisnotanoption,"saidGeneralNordling,thennoddedtovonGeldrecht.

"ThestewardhasinformedmeofGrafReiklander'sdecision.WearetodefendCastleReikguardtotheend."

VonVolgengrunted,clearlyunhappy."Forgivemeforspeakingplainly,mylords,butIfearyouarejustnotequippedtoholdhere.If--ifyouweretoallowmetospeaktoGrafReiklander,perhaps--"

"Youmaynot,"saidNordling,cuttinghimoff.VonGeldrechtwasmorepolite.

"I'mafraidthegrafisextremelyillfromhiswounds,"hesaid,"andmustnotbeundulydisturbed.Isthatnot thecase,GrafinAvelein?"Theblondewomanat thebacknoddeddully."Yes,steward. It isso."VonGeldrechtleanedtowardsvonVolgen,embarrassed."Sheletsnoonebutmyselfseehim,"hewhispered."IsupposebecauseIamacousin."Heshrugged."Itisanawkwardsituation.Pleaseforgiveit."

"I--Isee,"saidvonVolgen,glancingfromAveleintovonGeldrechttoNordling.

"Ididnotknowhiswoundsweresogrievous.Forgiveme."

"The fault is ours for not telling you earlier."VonGeldrecht turned to the officers and raised hisvoiceagain."Butthegrafwasadamant.Hesaidthatitmattersnotthatweareatlessthanfullstrength.ThisistheancestralseatoftheReiklandprinces.ItisKarlFranz'sfamilyhome.ItistheReikland'seasternbastion.Forbothstrategicandsymbolicreasons,itmustnotfall."

"Thequestion,then,"saidGeneralNordling,"isnotwhetherweshoulddefendthecastle,buthow?IhavesenttenmessengerpigeonstobecertainthatonereachesAltdorf.Oncethemessageisreceived,itwill take at least sixdays for a relief force to arrive, if one canbe assembledquickly.Wemusttherefore be prepared to hold out for a week or more." He nodded to von Geldrecht. "The lordstewardtellsmewehaveenoughfoodandfreshwaterforthreemonthsofsiege.NowIwishtohearfromeachofyouthestatusofyourforces--men,supplies,weapons,ammunition."HeturnedtovonVolgen."Mylord,ifyouwouldbegin."

VonVolgenwincedandpressedahandtothebandagesaroundhisribs,thennodded."Ihadroughlytwo hundred knightswhen I left the BarrenHills," he said. "I lostmore than a dozen to harryingattacks along theway, andmanymore during the fight today. I cannot sayhowmany, but Iwouldguesstwentyormoredead,andasmanywounded.So,perhapsonehundredandfiftyreadytofight,thoughI'mafraidtheirkitisnotofthebestatthemoment."

"Thankyou,my lord," saidNordling. "Myknightswill behappy to supplyyouwith anythingyouneed.Zeismann?"

Thespearcaptaintouchedhisforelockwithahandthatwasmissingitstwomiddlefingers."AsIsaid,general,seventymenfightingfit.Maybetwentymorecouldfillinifthingsgotdesperate.Therest..."Heshowedhismutilatedhand."They36

gotworsethanIdid,andcan'tholdaspearwithbothhandsnomore.Ourkit'singoodshape,though.We'vemorespearsthanmen,sadtosay."Nordlingnodded."Hultz?"

Thehandgunner captain saluted. "Notmanyofmyboys left, as youknow,general," he said. "Toomanyburied atGrimminhagen."He shrugged. "Fifty-two, countingme,but sixof them in the sicktent.Ourgunsareingoodorder,andwehaveplentyofpowder,but..."Heshotaglanceatthemanbesidehim,agauntartillerycaptainwithonewhiteeyeandoneblue,andwaxyburnscarsalloverhisbaldhead."ButCaptainVolktellsme..."

Volk straightened.Theburn scarsmadehim look like a half-melted daemon, but he talked like anOstermarkfarmer."We'relowonshot,m'lord,"hesaid,"fercannonandhandweaponsboth.FiringstockfelllowupnorthandtheneworderfromNulnain'tarrivedyet."

"Howsoon is itmeant to?" askedNordling. "Anydaynow," saidVolk. "But I hear theybeen slowfillingorderslately.Lotoffolklookingtorestockjustnow."

"Exactlyhowmuchshothaveweleft?"Volkpursedhislips."Enoughforafewsmallengagements,m'lord,but ifwewas tobeasked tokeepupa steady rateof fire..."He scratchedhis scarredchin."Threehoursorsowithallsevencannonsgoing.Lessfor thehandguns, ifall fiftyo'Hultz'sboyswasfiringawayatspeed.

Maybetwohours."

"Thatisgravenews,"saidthegeneral."Andyourcrews?Haveyoumenforallsevencannon?"

"Oh aye," saidVolk, thenmade a face. "Well, enough for five, at least.But these corpseswon't besailinguponboats,willthey?Sowecanlikelyleavetheriversidegunscold."

"Wecanbuthope,"saidNordling.Heturnedtothegreatswordcaptain.

"Bosendorfer?"

The youngman snapped a sharp salute. Too eager by half, thought Felix. "Yes, general," he said."Thirty men. Fighting fit and eager to serve. Our kit is polished and in good repair, and ourgreatswordssharp."

"Anywounded?"

"Eight,mylord,"saidBosendorfer,"butrecoveringquickly.Ididnotincludetheminmycount."

"Thankyou,Bosendorfer.Atease."Nordlingturnedtothered-headedboatman.

"RiverWardenYaekel?"

Themansaluted,butchewedhislipbeforeanswering."Youknowwedidn'tgonorth,general.OurdutiesontheriverkeptusheresameasStewardvonGeldrechthere.Sowehaveafullcomplement--twofullyarmedandstockedriversloops,twenty-mancrewsforeach,andafewskiffsandlongboats,but--but,mylord,IhavetoagreewithZeismannandHultz.Thereain'tnopointinstayinghere.We'llneverholdforsolong.Wehavetoretreat."Hetookaninvoluntarystepforwards."Please,letmeandmymensailtoNadjagardandarrangethingsforyourcoming.Wewill--"

"No,Yaekel,"sighedNordling."Youwon'tbegoinganywhere.Noonewill.Thegrafhasspoken."Heturnedtothelastmaninthegroup,ahangdog-lookingfellowwithgreasybrownhairspillingfromhiscap.Heworeadoubletthatproclaimedhe37

wasaNordlandforester,butbreechesthatsuggestedhewasanofficeroftheNulncityguard."Andyou,Captain...?Captain...?"

"CaptainDraeger,m'lord,"saidthemaninavoicethatannouncedhimasanativeofAltdorf'sslums,andthereforenotlikelytohavewonanypartofhisuniformlegitimately."Beggin'yerpardonbutthisain'tourposting.Myladsareontheirwayhometotheoldcityandjuststoppedforthenight--thankyoukindly fer thehospitality.But if it's all the same toyou,we'll beonourwayagain."Nordlingglaredathim."Itisnotallthesametome,"hesaid."You'reReiklandmilitia,areyounot?"

"Aye,"saidDraeger."Altdorfmuster.GallowsLane'sfinest."

"No doubt,"murmured the general. "Well,CaptainDraeger, theReikland still needs you.Youwillstay.Howmanymeninyourcompany?"

"Er, about thirty," said Draeger, his eyes widening. "But--but, m'lord, we was demobbed inWolfenburg.Theygaveusourpayandsentushome.We--"

"Don't tryit,myson,"saidZeismann."'Wedoneourbit'won'tflyforyouanymorethanitdidforus."

"Itmostcertainlywillnot!"saidNordling."Youhaveofficiallyre-enlisted,captain.Andfearnot,"hesaid,asDraegerbegancomplainingagain,"youwillbepaid."

"Ratherbegonethanpaid,"mutteredDraeger,andfoldedhisarms.

Nordlingignoredhimandstrokedhisblackbeard,thinking."Wellthen,"hesaid.

"Combinedwiththegraf'sknights--atleastthosewhoarefightingfit--wehaveroughlyfivehundredmen,andwhenallthetenantfarmersarebroughtinfromthegraf'slands,wewillhaveanotherfivehundredorsobowmentoaddtoourcomplement,makingitaneventhousand."

"Againsttentimesasmany,"saidYaekelbitterly.

Nordlingturnedhardeyesonhim."Enough,riverwarden.ThewallsofCastleReikguardhaveneverfallen.Ihaveeveryconfidencewewillsurvive."Heturnedandsurveyedtheothers."Now,arethereanyfurtherquestions?Anyfurtherobjections?"

Noonesaidanything.

"Verywell,"he said. "StewardvonGeldrechtwill take the informationyouhavegivenandconsultwiththegrafastostrategy.Inthemeantime,youwillinformyourmenofoursituationandprepareforimminentattack,understood?"Themenallgruntedtheirassent.

"Verygood,"saidNordling,thensalutedtheothers."Youaredismissed.LonglivetheEmperorandmaySigmarprotectusall."

"Long live, Sigmar protect," came the answering murmur, and the men began to talk amongstthemselvesastheystartedforthedoor.

Felixwatched themashefollowed themout.Except for theriverwarden,Yaekel,andDraeger, themilitiacaptain,he thought thedefenceof thecastleseemed ingoodhands.Bosendorferwasyoungand excitable, but full of fire, andvonGeldrechtwas a pompous ass, but heonly looked after thestores.Alltherestseemedhard,seasonedmen.

"HerrJaeger,"saidaroughvoicebehindhim.

38

Felixturned.VonVolgenwaslimpingupbehindhim.

"Mylord?"saidFelixwarily.

VonVolgenreadhisexpressionandscowled,embarrassed."I--Iwantedtoapologise,meinherr,"hesaid."I treatedyouandyourfriendsabominablyonourjourneyhere.Iholdtheruleof lawsacredaboveallthings,anddomybesttolivebyit,butthedeathofmyson...derangedmeforatime,andIletangerruleinsteadoflogic.Pleaseforgivemeforthelapse."

Felixblinked,surprised.Thelord'sgruffmannerhadnotpreparedhimforsuchaspeech.Heinclinedhishead."Iunderstand,mylord.Itmusthavebeenagreatshock.

Butitwasn'tmeyousworetokill.Youshouldspeaktotheslayersaswell."

"Iwill,"hesaid."AndI thankyouforyourunderstanding."Andwiththathebowed,andstrodeoutthroughthetempledoorandintothecourtyard.

Felixwatchedhimgo,bemused.Hehadexpectedthebulldogtoactlikeabulldog.Strangetofindhimanoblemanafterall.

As he started to follow von Volgen out, he heard voices behind him and looked back. AveleinReiklander was kneeling before the altar, head bowed to the hammer, while Sister Willentrudehoveredbehindher.

"Grafin,"thesisterwhispered,"areyousureyouwouldn'tlikemetolookatyourhusband?Shallyahasbeenknowntoworkmiracles."

Thegrafinfinishedherprayerthenstood,shakingherhead."Thankyou,SisterWillentrude,butmyhusband needs nothing but rest and peace. He will recover." The sister looked doubtful, but onlybowedherheadasthegrafinturnedforthedoor.Felixturnedtoo,andhurriedout,notwantingthemtohavecaughthimeavesdropping,andalsowonderingjustwhatsortofwoundsthegrafhadtakeninthenorth.

"Youarewelcometostay inanyemptyroomyoufind,"saidCaptainZeismannashehandedFelixandKatbowlsofstewfromthemessline."Andthere'splentyempty.

MostoftheformeroccupantsaresleepinginthegroundnorthofGrimminhagennow."Hewavedamagnanimous hand. "Take some of the knights' rooms. 'Y'don'twant to bunkwith the likes of us.Filthypeasants,allofus."Thisgotalaughfromhismen,whostoodinlineaswell.Theywereinthecavernousundergroundmess, justoneof themanychambersof the labyrinthineunderkeep,whichalso contained barracks, store rooms, kitchens andworkshops, as well as Tauber's surgery and aShallyanshrine.Themesshallwasloudwithahundredconversations,andwarmfromtheheatofahugefireplaceatoneendofthehallandthekitchensattheother.

"Very generous of you," said Felix. "But shouldn't we ask the knights first?" Zeismann scowledtowardsthehouseholdknights,whosatalltogetheratadozentablesontherightedgeoftheroom."Nah,"hesaid."They'llonlysaynoify'ask.

Butnoone'llsayanythingify'justtake'em."

Felix smirked. "Well, if theydo, I'll tell 'em itwasyouwho tolduswe could."Zeismann laughed."Youdothat."

"Snorrithinksyourbowlsaretoosmall,"saidSnorri,lookingdubiouslyatwhattheservinggirlhadhandedhim.

39

"Areyousureyourstomachisn'ttoobig,FatherRustskull?"askedRodi.

"Comebackforsecondsifyoulike,"saidZeismann."We'realwayswellstockedatCastleReikguard."

"Aye,"saidArtilleryCaptainVolk."Tillthewar,thebiggestdangerthecastlegarrisoneverfacedwasgettin' fat."Hegrinneddownathisskinnyframe."Beawhile 'forewegetsomemeatbackonourbonesafterourlongwinter'sjaunt,though."

"Worrynot,CaptainVolk,"saidZeismann."Atleastye'llbesafefromthezombies.They'llthinkyeroneofthem!"

Everybodylaughed,thenstartedforthetables.

Felixscannedtheroomashe,Katandtheslayersfollowed.Thevariouscompaniesseemedtosticktotheirownkind,thehandgunnersatonetable,thespearmenatanother,theriverwardensclosesttothekitchens, while the household knights sat at the tables closest to the right wall. Bosendorfer, thetowering,blond-beardedyoungcaptain,waslaughingwithhisgreatswordsatatablenearthefire.

Theywereallbig,broad-shoulderedfellowslikehimself,andallwearingslasheddoubletsandhoseandthemostelaboratefacialhairtheycouldmanage.Itseemedtheywerehavingacontesttoseewhocouldspitintotheflamesfromwheretheysat.

VonVolgen,asanobleguest,wasdiningwithNordlingandvonGeldrechtintheirprivatequartersinthekeep,which lefthiseight-scoreTalabeclanderknights toeathere,sitting inahuddledcrowdtooneside,notquitecomfortableinaroomfullofReiklanders.Thecastle'sotherguests,theslovenlyfree-companycaptain,Draeger,andhismotleymilitiamen,satwhisperingoveratableasfarfromtheothersastheycouldfind,andlookingoftenovertheirshoulders.

Felix,KatandtheslayerscrowdedinwithZeismann'sspearmenattheirtableastheyshovedasidetomakeroom.Theyseemedacheerfulbunch,butFelixnoticedagauntnessofcheekandhardnessofeyeamongthemthathehadseeninothersoldiersreturningfromthefightinginthenorth.Some,atthe edges of the group, didn't join in the jokes and jibes at all, only stared dull-eyed at horrorshundredsofmilesawayandmonthsinthepast.Felixhadseenthatlookbeforetoo.

"Alldwarfwork,"saidGotrek,lookingupatthearchedstoneceilingasheshovelledstew."Allthisunderwork.Andbetterbuiltthanthathumanpilethatsitsatopit."

"Reikguardisthefinesthuman-madecastleintheEmpire,"saidtheartillerycaptain,Volk.

"Human-made,aye,"saidRodidryly.

Thereweresomeglaresatthat,butZeismannspokeupbeforethingscouldgetuncomfortable."Theslayer is right, though,"hesaid."All thisdownherewasbuilt someeighthundredyearsago,backwhenGorbadIronclawwasonhisrampage.

EmperorSigismundorderedittobeconvertedintoanImperialfortress.IthadtobeturnedfromtheReiklandprinces'familyseatintoacitadelcapableofholdingathousandsoldiersandstaff,andtherewas no one he trusted more than the dwarfs to do the job. They carved this little hill into ahoneycomb,andbuilttheharbourandouterwallstoo."

"Trustdwarfstoputallourlivingquartersunderground,"grumbledVolk."Theknights'quartershavewindows,air,thesun."

40

"Woodenshacks,"saidRodi,betweenswallows."They'llfalldownifyoufart in them.You'resaferhere."

"Youhaven'tsmelledCaptainVolk'sfarts,"saidoneoftheartillerymen.

Everybodylaughedalongwithhim,evenVolk,andthetensioneased.ButasFelixtookaswigfromhismug,Kattrodonhistoeunderthetable.Helookedaroundandshenoddedforhimtobenddowntoher.

Felixfrownedandlookedaroundthehallashe leanedin.Hadshespottedsomethingstrange?Wassomethingwrong?

"Whatisit?"hewhispered.

"WeareleavingtomorrowwithSnorri,yes?"sheasked.

"Aye."

"AndZeismannsayswecanhaveaprivateroomtonight?"

"Aye,"Felixsaidagain."Ifwewantone,wearewelcome--"Hiseyeswidenedashefollowedhertrainofthoughttoitsconclusion.Thoughtheyhadadmittedtheirattractiontoeachotherweeksago,onthenightshehadsavedhimfromfreezingtodeathintheDrakwald,theyhadnot,inall thetimesince,had any time to be alone together. Privacy had been fleeting on the trail, and being chased bybeastmenwasnotparticularlyconducivetoaromanticmood.Theabject terror tendedtoget in theway.

Butnow,thoughahordeofundeadwasmarchingeversouthtowardsthem,theywereforonceinnoimmediatedanger,andtheywouldnotbesleepingwithonlyathinsheetofcanvasbetweenthemandtheirtravellingcompanions.

"Ah,"hesaid."Isee."

Suddenlyhecouldn'tfinishhisstewfastenough.

But though they practically raced across the courtyard--now filling upwith the tenants coming infromGraf Reiklander's outlying farms--when they had finally found a room and closed the doorbehindthem,theywerestrangelyshytobegin.

Foralmostafullminute,Felixstoodbythesimple,neatlymadesoldier'sbed,strokingKat'shairandshoulders.

"Are--areyouhavingsecondthoughts?"Kataskedatlast.

"Aboutyou?"Felix laughed. "Gods,no. It's only,havingwaited so long, I'mafraidwemighthavebuiltupsogreatamountainofexpectationthat...thatwemightnotbeabletogetoverit."

Katsmiledshyly."Youmean,nowthatwecan,canwe?"

"Aye,"saidFelix."Exactly."

Katshrugged."Well,there'sonlyonewaytofindout."Andwiththat,shetuggeddownonhiscollaruntilhebenttoher,thenwentuponhertip-toestokisshim.Theycametogetherhesitantlyatfirst,butthenKat's lipspartedandtheir tonguesmet.Filledwiththestrengthof it,Felixcrushedher tohim,liftingheroffherfeet,andtheytoppledslowlytothebed.

41

FIVEFelixandKatwalked togetherona forestpath.Theywereonlyamileorso fromBauholz,wheretheyweregoingtovisitoldDoktorVinck.Felixwashappy.Itwasanearlyspringday,stillcoldintheshadeofthetrees,butwithawarmsunfindinghisfaceeverynowandthenastheypassedthroughaclearing,andhehadn'tacareintheworld.Gotrekwasn'tthere.SnorriandRodiweren'tthere.OnlyheandKatwalkedthepath,andtheywereinnohurry,norunderanyobligation.

Felix squeezed her hand. She squeezed back, and they stopped under the budding branches of anancientoak,butastheyleanedintokiss,adistantcryreachedFelix'sears--abirdofpreyperhaps.Heignoreditandbentcloser,butKatpulledbackandlookedaround.

"Screaming,"shesaid.

"It'sonlyahawk,"saidFelix.

"No."Katsteppedawayfromhim,backontothetrail."Can'tyouhearit?Peoplearebeingkilled."

ShestartedtowardsBauholzagain,joggingnow.

"Kat,comeback.It'snothing."

Sheignoredhimandranon.Hegruntedinannoyanceandstartedafterher.Thedaywastooperfectfortrouble.Hewantedhertocomebackandkisshim.

Theyranoutofthetrees.ThelogwallsofBauholzrosebeyondthefieldsbeforethem,blacksmokedriftinginacloudabovethem.Thescreamswereclearernow.

Theywerecomingfromthevillage.

Thentheywereatthegates,thoughFelixdidn'trememberrunningtothem,shoutingandpoundingontheroughlogs.Criesofterrorandrageandthesharpreekofburningcamefromwithin.

Katkickedthedoor."Getup!"shebellowed."Armyourselves!Weareunderattack."

Felixthoughtitwasaverystrangethingforhertosay.

Felixblinkedaround,disorientated.HewasnotatthegatesofBauholz.Hewasinadarkroom,lyinginacrampedcot,hisrightsidewarmedbyKatandhisleftfreezingwhereitpressedagainstthewall.Butthoughthedreamwasfading,theshoutingandpoundingweregettinglouderandcloser.

"Up,Reiklanders!"cametheharshlowvoice,andFelixwonderedhowhecouldhavethoughtitwasKat's."Tothewalls!"

Heraisedhisheadandgroaned,aterriblecrickinhisneck.Katwassittingupbesidehim,nakedandpushingherhairoutofherface.Thewhitestreakinthemiddleofherdarkbrowntressesgleamedgreeninthelightfilteringthroughthe42

room'sdiamond-panedwindows.Itlookedlikethecastlehadsunkbeneathaseaofpoison.

"What'sgoingon?"Katmumbled.

"Idon'tknow."Hetriedtositup,thenwinced.Hisleftlegwascompletelyasleep.

ThedoorslammedopenandoneofNordling'sknightsleanedin."Upandout!

Thedead--"He stoppedwhenhe sawFelix andKat. "What inSigmar's name are youdoinghere?Theseareourquarters!"

Hewavedanimpatienthandandranon,bangingonthenextdoordownthehall.

"Thedead?"echoedFelix.

HeandKatlookedateachother, thenscrambledtotheirfeetandstartedgrabbingfortheirarmourandweapons.

Spearmen,greatswordsandknightshurriedpastthemasFelixandKatclimbedthestonestepstothetopof thecastlewall.Torchesglintedoff theirswordsandspear-tipsas theyranto theirpositions,andgleamedonthegunbarrelsofthehandgunnerswhocrouchedbetweenthecrenellations,buttheflamescouldn'tblotoutMorrslieb'ssicklygreenglow,whichmadetheloweringcloudslooklikefatphosphorescentmaggots,andturnedeveryone'sskinapastygrey.

To the right as they reached the parapet, Felix saw vonVolgen talking earnestlywith his knights,while to the left,Gotrek,SnorriandRodipeereddownover thebattlements.Snorrihadacquiredapeglegfromsomewhere,freshlysawnoffatthebottomtofithisshortframe,andhadhishammerback, while Rodi had a new axe of dwarfenmake to replace the one he had broken at Tarnhalt'sCrown.Felixwonderedwhereithadcomefrom.Agiftofthegarrison?

"Snorriwantstogodownandfightthem,"SnorriwassayingasFelixandKatcrossedtostandbesidetheslayers.

"Don'tworry,FatherRustskull,"saidRodi."They'llcometoussoonenough."

"Toosoon,"saidGotrek,shootingagrimglareatSnorri.

KatandFelixleanedoutoverthewallstoseewhattheslayerswerelookingat.

ThewanmoonlightconfusedFelix'seyes,andatfirsthesawonlytwistedshadowslurchingthroughthewinter grass, but after amoment the shadows resolved themselves into walking corpses, bothbeast andman, hundreds of them converging slowly but inexorably on the castle.Already a thickcrowdofthemmilledrestlesslyattheedgeoftheswift-flowingmoat,whilemoreandmorestumbledforwards to join them, amoving carpet of theundead that stretched into thenight for as far ashecouldsee.

Gotrekwasright.Thedeadhadcometoosoon.FelixandKathadplannedto leavewithSnorri thenextmorning, andbewellon theirway toKarakKadrinbefore thehordearrived.Now theyweretrappedin thecastlewitheveryoneelse.Gotrekmustbefurious.HehaddeniedhimselfandRodia

certaindoomatTarnhalt'sCrowninordertogetSnorriawayfromtheundead,andnowitwasallfornaught.Snorriwasinworsedangerthanbefore,andGotrekhaddonenothingbutmakeanenemyofRodi.

43

Ontheotherhand,thiswasn'tnecessarilytheendofeverything.Felixhadfoughttheundeadbeforeandsurvived.Heknewhewasmorethanamatchforanytenofthem,andGotrekwasmorethanamatch for a hundred. Still his stomach sank and hismouthwent dry just looking at their lifeless,upturnedeyes.Anditwasn'tjustthedreadofsomethingdeadreturningtoatravestyoflifethatchilledhisblood,thoughthatwashorribleenough.Itwasthesheer,mindlessinevitabilityofthem.Theywerelikeants,orwater.Araindroporasingleantwasnothreat.Hecouldflickthemawaywithouteffort.But amillion ants, or a floodofwater, thosewould find cracks in anywall,would spill over anybarrier,wouldpullamandownanddrownhiminsheernumbers.

Thatwasthetruehorrorof thewalkingdead.Theycouldn'tbereasonedwith,couldn'tbepanickedintorunningaway,couldn'tbeboughtofforconvincedtochangeallegiances.Theywereanunnaturalforce,asrelentlessastimeortides,andliketimeandtides,theywouldeventuallywearyoudown,asmountainswereworndownintohillsanddeadcattlewereslowlystrippedtothebonebythousandsoftinyjaws.Zombieswereasinevitableasdeath,fortheyweredeath.

"Lookat'emall,"saidaspearman,hiseyesdull."Endless.Endless."

"Andthere'sbeastsamongthem,"saidahandgunner,makingthesignofthehammer."Sigmar,ifthatnecromancercanmakezombiesofthemmonsters,whatchancehavewe?"

"WemustallpraytoMorr,"saidanartilleryman,touchingapinintheshapeofMorr'sravenonhiscap."Hewillsettlethemandsetusfree."

"Lessofthistalk!"criedGeneralNordling."WeareReiklanders!Wefearnothing!"Hewasstridingalong thewall at the headof six household knights,withStewardvonGeldrecht, andblindFatherUlframandhisacolyte,Danniken,followingbehind.

Thementurnedasthegeneralsteppedupintoacrenellationandfacedthem,hisbacktothezombies.Felixcouldseethathewaspalebehindhisjuttingblackbeard,buthekeptthefearoutofhisvoice.

"Yes,ourenemyisterrifying,"hesaid,asmoremengatheredaroundhim."Yes,itislegion.Butyouarethestrongestofthestrong,thebravestofthebrave,forgedinbattleagainsttheEmpire'sgreatestfoes. Did we not hold the line together at Wolfenburg? Did we not drive back the fiends atGrimminhagen?"

"Aye!"criedthemen."FortheEmpire!Forthegraf!"VonVolgenandsomeofhismenfiledinatthebackofthecrowd,listeningasNordlingcontinued.

"Neither do you stand naked and alone in the field against these horrors!" shouted the general,slappingthestonesofthewall."YouareprotectedbythedefencesofthefinestcastleoftheEmpire.Ogrescouldnotfordourmoatwithoutbeingsweptaway.

Dragonscouldnotteardownourwalls,sowhatchancehavethesepoorcorpses?Ourbattlementsaredwarf-builtandwovenwithpowerfulwardsagainsttheundead.Theyhaveenduredforeighthundredyears.NeverhasCastleReikguardfallen,andneverwillitfall!"

Themencheeredagain,untilNordling raisedhishandsagain."QuietnowforFatherUlfram,whowillleadusinaprayertoSigmartogiveusstrengthforthecoming--"

44

Something black and swift swooped out of the sky and slammed into him before he could finish,smashinghimintoFatherUlframandknockinghimoffhisfeet.

"General!Father!"criedvonGeldrecht,duckingandrunningtothemastheblackthingsweptintotheairagainonleatherwings.

"Killit!"shoutedahandgunner,pointing.

"Shootit!"shoutedaspearman.

Thentherestcame.

Felixcouldnotcountthenumberofblackshadowsthatstreakeddownoutofthedimgreenskyandslammedintothedefenders.Itseemedasifthenighthadshatteredandfalleninuponthem.Allalongthewalls,peoplewereknockedtothecourtyard,armourcrushedandfleshtorn,whileotherstwistedandflailedasthethingsrodetheirbacks,lookingforalltheworldlikelunaticsdancinginflappingblackcloaks.

Morewereattackingtherefugeefarmerswhohadsetuptheirmeagretentsaroundtheharbour.Thepeasantsranscreamingastheraggedshadesshreddedtheirsheltersandsnatchedupmen,womenandchildrentodropthemtotheflagstonesorintothedarkwateroftheharbour.

FelixduckedaswoopingsilhouetteanddrewhisswordasKatfiredanarrowafterit.

"Sigmar!Whatarethey?"

Gotreksheared thewingoffoneand itcrashedat their feet inasprayofmaggotsandclottedbile.Felixrecoiledatitsrotting,snoutlessface.

"Bats,"saidtheSlayer.

"Giantbats!"saidSnorri,delighted.

"Giantdeadbats,"saidRodi,wrinklinghisbulbousnose."Grungni,whatareek."

"Somuchforwardsagainsttheundead,"gruntedGotrek.

HeandRodiclamberedontothebattlementsandslashedaroundlikewhirlwindsasmoreblackbodiesdivedatthem.Snorritriedtofollow,butcouldn'tmanagewithhisnewpeg,andsostoodguardwithFelixoverKatasshecontinuedloosingarrows.

Abat flew straight at Felix's face.He slashedwithKaraghul and opened its chest to the bone, butmomentumdroveitintohim,anditscrabbledathischainmailshirtwithdiseasedclawsasteethlikeblackcoffinnailssnappedaninchfromhischeek.

Heretched,nauseated,andshoveditaway,thencleaveditsdecayingheadwithhissword.Itspundownover thewall,andKatsentanotherafter it, thefletchingofherarrowsproutingfromitseye.Felixmadetoturnback,butKatlaughedandpointeddowntowardsthemoat.

"Lookatthem!"shecried."Comeon,youbonebags!More!More!"Felixfollowedhergazeandsawthattheundead,apparentlystirredbythefightingovertheirheads,werepushingtowardsthewalls--andtopplingstraightintothemoat,wheretheyweresweptawaybytheroilingcurrent.Dozenswerefloatingdownstream,anddozensmorewerefalling.

Katsmiledgrimly."Atthisratethewholehordewillbewashedaway!"Gotrekchoppedabatoutoftheairdirectlyaboveherhead."Forgetthem,littleone,"herasped."Fightwhatyoucanhit."

45

KatscowledandsheandFelix turnedback to thebatson thewalls,dropping themwithswordandbowastheywheeledandswooped.

Allalong theparapet, thehandgunners,knightsandspearmenhadralliedaround theirofficersandwerenowfightingofftheblackshadowsingoodorder,buttheyhadalreadysufferedterriblelosses,andmorefelleverymoment--punchedfromtheparapetbytheheavybodiesofthebatsandtornapartbytheirclaws.OnFelix'sright,thegreatswordsweresweepingtheirhugebladesinwidecirclesovertheir heads, protecting Captain Bosendorfer as he pulled one of their number back onto thebattlements.Onhisleft,GeneralNordlinghadrecovered,andwasformingasquarewithhisretinuearoundFatherUlframandhisacolytewhileStewardvonGeldrecht,bleedingbadlyfromawoundonhisleg,limpedafterthem.Furtheron,LordvonVolgenandhismenwerefightingtheirwaydownthefarstairswhilethebatsslammeddownintothemlikeblackmeteors.

In the courtyardCaptain Zeismann and his spearmenwere trying to herd the peasants towards thewidedoubledoorsof theunderkeepas their tentsburneddownaround them,but the farmerswerebeingpickedoffastheyran,andmanyspearmenfellaswell.

Then, with a sound like windmill blades turning in a gale, something huge swept over the wall,blotting out the sky. Felix ducked, and the thing skidded to a landing on the parapet beyond him,ploughing through Nordling's knights and knocking them flat with its enormous wings, as thearmouredwarrioronitsbacksweptarounditwithanuglyblackaxe.

Thebeastwas awyvern--or perhaps a crudepatchworkof severalwyverns. It had awyvern's vastleatherywingsandwhippingtail,andacruel,hornedheadthatsnappedattheendofalongneck,butitsscalyskinwastendifferentcolours, thewingsblack, theheadgreen, thebodygreyandredandbrown,andintendifferentstagesofdecay,withthickscarsandstitchesholdingitalltogether;butasgruesomeasitwas,theridermountedathwartitshulkingshoulderswasmoreterrifyingstill.

He lookedmore thanayard taller thanFelix, andwasencased in scarredblackarmourof ancientdesign. A heavy-browed skull, etched with age, glowered out from under a horned helm, green

flames kindling in his empty eye sockets. He swung from the wyvern's saddle and waded intoNordling's retinue, his black axe trailing aglittering cloudofdark specks like the tail of a comet.Threeknightsdiedinstantlyasthefellweaponshreddedtheirarmourlikeparchment,andtheridertrodtheircorpsesunderfoottostridetowardsNordlingandFatherUlframasvonGeldrechtcrabbedoutoftheway,gibberingwithfear.

Gotrek,RodiandSnorristared.TheancientruneofpowerontheheadofGotrek'saxewasglowingred.

"Mine,"hesaid.

"No,mine,"saidRodi.

"Snorri's!"shoutedSnorri.

ThethreeslayerschargedasNordlingraisedhisswordandsteppedinfrontoftheskeletalwarriortoprotectFatherUlfram.Therider'sflakingaxesnappedthegeneral'sswordinhalfandsmashedhimofftheparapettobouncedowntheroofofthetempleofSigmarandintothecourtyard.

46

"Faceme,wight!"roaredGotrek,choppingintothewingoftheundeadwyvernashedodgedpastit.ThewyvernshriekedatthewoundandleaptintotheairasRodiandSnorriranunderit.

"Faceme."calledRodi.

"FaceSnorri!"bellowedSnorri.

"Comeon,"saidFelix,hackingattheswoopingbatsandstartingforwards.

"We'resafernearthemthanaway."

Katdroppedanotherbatpoint-blank,thenfollowed,shoulderingherbowanddrawingherhatchets.

Gotrekreachedthearmouredwightfirst,andslashedforhiskneesjustashewasturningfromvonGeldrecht to seewhat the commotionwas. The dreadwarrior roared and blocked, and a chokingcloudofobsidiandustshiveredfromhisblackaxeasitclangedhafttohaftwithGotrek's,coveringtheSlayerinblackgrit.Rodistrucknext,buthisblowglancedofftheancientblackarmourwithoutleavingamark.

Snorri'shammerdidnobetter.Thewightseemedhardlytofeeltheirattacks,andhackedbackatthem.

"Stand aside,Gurnisson!" shoutedRodi. "You oweme this doom for thatwhich you deniedme atTarnhalt'sCrown!"

"Ioweyounothing!"barkedGotrek."Takeitifyoucan."KatandFelixfellinbehindtheslayers,thenturned as thewyvernwhumped down again behind them, snapping and shrieking. Felix cursed anddodgedrightasKatdivedleft,almostfallingoffthenarrowparapet.

Trappedwiththeslayersbetweenthebeastanditsmaster.Ohyes,muchsafer.

Whathadhebeenthinking?

Kat buried her hand-axe in the beast's scaly neck, and itwhipped around, crushing her against thewall.

Felixslashed,andKaraghulshearedoffoneofthewyvern'sheavyhorns.Itroaredandsnapped,andhefellbackintoSnorriastheslayerwasdodgingbackfromthewight.Theywentdowninaheapandthewyvernraisedup,itsfangedjawsdistendingasitsnappeddownatthem.

Snorri swunghishammerupandknocked the scalyheadaside. Its snout slammed into theparapetinches fromFelix's shoulder, shattering the stone, andheand theold slayer scrambledup--only tohavethewyvern'swingsweepthemoffthewall.

Felixfroze,certainhewasabouttobesmashedtoabloodypulponthecobblesofthecourtyard,buttheimpactcamesoonerthanheexpected,andhefoundhimselfrollingdowntheslantedroofofthetempleofSigmarinascreeofbrokenslates.Heslidtoastopinchesfromtheedge,thengruntedasSnorricrashedontopofhim.

Katleaptdowntotheroofasthewyvern'sjawsclackedshutinchesbehindher.

Sheskiddedtoastopbesidehim.

"Areyouallright?"

"Aye,"wheezedFelixasheandSnorriuntangledthemselves."You?"

"Snorri is fine," said Snorri. "He landed on something soft." They scrambled up the slant again,dodgingandswipingatbatsasSnorri'speglegslippedonthebrokenslates.Abovethem,thetideofthebattlehadturned.Rodi47

wasdrivingbacktheundeadwyvern,hisaxemakinggruesomecutsinitshead,neckandbreast,whileGotrekwasbackingupthearmouredwightandmatchinghimstrikeforstrikeashisaxetracedrune-redswipesintheair.

ButasGotrekblockedablowtohishead,thechampionturnedhisswingandcutattheSlayer'slegsinstead.Gotrekdodgedbackinstinctively,butnotquitequickenough,andthebladeoftheblackaxegrazedhisthigh,cuttingthroughhisstripedtrewsandslicingintohisflesh.

ThewoundonlyseemedtoangertheSlayer,andhisnextstrikewassostrongthatitnearlyknockedthe undead champion over the parapet, and left him fighting for balance. Gotrek chopped at hisflailingleftarmandshearedthroughitattheelbow.

Thewight's armoured forearmbounced away along the parapet and became nothing but a lifelessbonerattlinginsideabatteredvambrace.

Hestaggeredback,asGotrekpressedhisadvantage,dentinghisarmouredlegsandtorso.Theundeadwarrior had had enough. He jumped back fromGotrek, then barged past Rodi and leapt into the

saddleofthereelingwyvern,spurringitsavagely.

Thetwoslayersracedafterhim,butweretoolate.Thewyvernflareditsmassivewingsandknockedthemback,thendivedoverthebattlementsandaway.

"Comeback,youcoward!"bellowedGotrek.

"Howcanthedeadbescaredtodie?"shoutedRodi.

"Snorrimissedthefight,"saidSnorri.

"Therearestillplentytofight,Snorri,"saidFelix,helpingKatbackontotheparapet.

Butallatonce,thereweren't.

Asifanorderhadbeengiven,thebatsflappedclearoftheircombatsandflewafterthedeadwyvernand itsmalefic rider.Withinamatterofheartbeats, thebattlewasoverbut for thegroaningof thewoundedandtheweepingofthepeasantsinthecourtyard.

Whileofficerscalledordersandsoldierscalled for thesurgeon,GotrekandRodi turned from thebattlements,theirfaceshardandangry.ThewoundinGotrek'sthighhaddrenchedhistrewsredtotheknee,buthepaiditnomind.Insteadhecrossedtotheseveredforearmoftheundeadchampionandpickeditup.Itbegantodisintegrateassoonashetouchedit,thearmourrustingawayinbrownflakesandtheradius,ulnaandfingerboneswithinitcrumblingtodust.

Gotrekcrusheditinhismeatyhandandlookedoutoverthewalls."Aworthydoom,"hesaid.

"Aye,"saidRodi,glaringathim."Forme,Gurnisson."Gotrekturnedontheyoungslayer."IdidnotrobyouofyourdoomatTarnhalt,Balkisson.YouputdownyourhammerforthesamereasonIputdownmyaxe."Rodisnarledandsteppedclosertohim."Youforcedmetoit."

"Youwerefreetodefyme,"saidGotrek."Asyouwerefreetowalkintothewoodtoday."

Rodi'shandsballedintofists,andhisface,alreadyred,turnedadeepvermillion.

Gotrekputhisaxeonhisbackandwaited,handsathissides,meetingRodi'sfuriousglarewithhissinglecontemptuouseye.

48

"Snorri thinks hewould have found his doom tonight," saidSnorri, trying to climbback onto theparapetasKathelpedFelixup,"ifsomecowardhadn'tpushedhim."

Gotrek and Rodi held their staredown for another second, then broke off to take the old slayer'shands.

"Luckyforyou,youdidn't,"saidRodi.

HeandGotrekpulledSnorriontothewallandFelixbreathedasighofrelief.

Snorricouldn'thavedoneitonpurpose,buthehadintervenedatjusttherighttime.

ThelastthingCastleReikguardneededjustnowwasapairofslayersbrawlingacrosstheramparts.

"Dwarfs!"gaspedvonGeldrecht, limpingforwardsonthearmofaknight,andfollowedbyFatherUlframandDanniken."Dwarfs,Ioweyoumylife,andIthankyou.You,morethananyone,drovethathellishwightawayandsavedmefromitsaxe.But--butdidyounot tellus the leaderof theundeadhordewasamadoldman?"

"Thatwasn'tHans theHermit,my lord," saidFelix, shivering. "Idon'tknowwho itwas,orwhat. Ihaveneverseenitbefore."

"ItwasKrell,"raspedGotrek.

VonGeldrechtblinked."Who?WhoisKrell?"

"KrelltheHoldbreaker,"saidGotrek."TheLordoftheUndead."

"TheButcherofKarakUngor,"saidRodi."TheDoomofKarakVarn."

"WhosenameiswrittenahundredtimesintheBookofGrudges,"saidGotrek.

"Whosohateddwarf-kindthathereturnedfromthedeadtoseekvengeanceuponus,"saidRodi.

"Mydoom,"saidGotrek.

"Mydoom,"saidRodi.

Gotrekglancedat theyoungslayerandgavehimavicioussmile."Hemaywellbe,beardling,"hesaid,thenwipedbloodfromhiswoundedlegandlookedathishand."Buthehasalreadykilledme."

49

SIXFelixfrowned,certainhecouldn'thaveheardtheSlayercorrectly."Killedyou?"hesaid."Gotrek,it'sjustascratch.You'vetakenworse.Farworse."

"No,manling,"said theSlayer."Ihavenot."Heheldouthishand.Theblood thatdrippedfromhisthick fingers was peppered with tiny black flecks. "The Axe of Krell leaves behind splinters ofobsidian.Theyburrowtotheheartandbringslowdeath."Hesmiledagain,agrimflatline."Ihavefoundmydoomatlast."Felix'sheartlurched.Hisheadswamashetriedtotakeitin.CouldhehavealreadywitnessedGotrek'sdoomwithoutknowingit?Itseemedimpossible.TheSlayercouldn'tdieinsuchasad,ingloriousway.

"Gotrek,"hesaid,steppingforwards."Youhavetocleanthewound.Youcan'tletthishappen."

"Ofcoursehecan't!"saidvonGeldrecht,limpingforwards."Sigmar'sbeard,herrSlayer,youmustsee our surgeon immediately. These splinters must come out!" Gotrek turned a cold eye on thesteward."Isitmydoomthatworriesyou,lordling?Oryourown?"

Rodilaughedatthis,whileVonGeldrecht'sredfacegotevenredder.

"Certainly,Slayer,youareagreatboontoourdefences,"hesaid."Butyoumistakeme.Iammerelyconcernedforyourwellbeing--"

"Aslayer's'wellbeing'ishisownbusiness,"growledGotrek,andstartedforthestairstothecourtyardwithRodiandSnorrifollowing."Anditdoesn'tmatter.Thesliversarealreadyattheirwork.There'snogettingthemoutnow."Felixswallowedandsteppedafterhim."Surely it'sworth trying,Gotrek.Poisonisnodeathforaslayer."

Gotrekwavedhimoffandcontinued."Leavemebe,manling.Ineedadrink."KatputahandontheSlayer's armashepassedher. "Gotrek.Please. Itmight letyou live longenough to face thisKrellagain."

TheSlayerstoppedandlookedatherforalongmoment."Aye.Itmight,"hesaidatlast.Henodded."Verywell."

As they started for the stairs again, Felix shot Kat a relieved glance, and vonGeldrecht let out abreath.

"Thankyou,fraulein,"hesaid,limpingafterthem."Youhavedoneusagreatservicewiththis--"

She stopped and snarled back at him. "I didn't do it for you!"Felix turned away so vonGeldrechtwouldn'tseehimsmirkathisstunnedexpression.

"I'msorry,Felix,"saidKat."Hedoesn'tgiveadamnaboutGotrek's

'wellbeing'."

50

"Don'tapologise,"saidFelix."I'dhavedonethesameifIhadanyguts."

***

Rodigrowledastheystartedacrosstheruinedcourtyardtowardstheunderkeep.

"TwothousandyearsofgrudgescrossedoffinthebookwhenKrelldied,"hesaid.

Katlookedathim,amazed."Youhavefoughthimfortwothousandyears?"

"Aye,"saidRodi."EversincehegavehimselftotheBloodGodandcameforourholds."

"KarakUngorandKarakVarnbothsufferedbeneathhisaxebeforethatpupSigmarkilledhim,"saidGotrek.

"Andnowhe livesagain,"spatRodi."Andall thosegrudgesmustbewrittenback into thebookasunavenged."

Gotreknodded,hisoneeyedistant."Aye,buttheslayerwhogiveshimatrueandfinaldeathwouldberememberedinthehistoriesforever."

"Aye,"saidRodi,thumpinghischestwithhisfist."RodiBalkisson,SlayerofKrell."

Gotrekshothimahardlook."Wewillseeaboutthat."

"SnorrithinksSnorriNosebiter,SlayerofKrell,soundsbetter,"saidSnorri.

Rodigruntedatthat,andGotrekgroundhisteeth,andtheystumpedoninsilence.

Felixshookhisheadatthedwarfishnessofitall.Cutbyanaxethatseemedcertaintokillhim,andGotrekwasstillmoreconcernedwithwrongsdonetohisancestorsthousandsofyearsbefore--andofcourse by how he would be remembered by the dwarfs who would come after him. It seemedsometimesthatdwarfslivedmoreinthepastthantheydidinthepresent.

Astheycontinuedacrossthecourtyard,however,Felix'sgrimamusementfaded,tobereplacedbyagrowingsensethatsomethingwasterriblywronginthecastle.

Thedeadanddyingwereofcourseeverywhere,andtheairwasfilledwiththestenchofburnttentsandroastedflesh,buttherewassomethingelse,somethingworsebehinditall,thoughhecouldn'tputafingeronwhat.

Deadknights,farmers,spearmen,greatswords,handgunnersandrivermenlaywheretheyhaddied,theirfacesandnecksshreddedtoredruin,andtheirbonessmashedbyfallingfromthewalls.Therewerecorpsesburningamidstthesmoulderingtents,andbumpingagainstthehullsoftheboatsintheharbour,andthewoundedlookedhardlybetter,howlingandsobbingwithdeepclawmarksintheirbacksandtheirlimbscrushedandbent.

Zeismann's spearmen and von Volgen's knights helped the farmers pick through the carnage,draggingthelivingtooneside,andpilingthedeadontheother.Thetenantsweptpitifullywhentheyfoundlovedones,andsomecouldnotcontinue.Amotherhuggedherchildtoherbreast,thebloodfromhistornthroatdrenchinghertunic.Ayounggirlshriekedceaselesslyforherparents.

Themenofthecastlegatheredtheirwoundedaswell,carryingthemintotheunderkeeponstretchersastheymoanedandwailed.

Thewailing.

Perhapsthatwasit.

51

Felix couldn't tell if itwas his imagination, but the screaming of thewounded seemed evenmoreagonisedthanwasusualafterabattle.EventhecleansingsandsalvingsoftheShallyaninitiatesandSurgeonTauber'sassistantsappearedtohurtthembeyondbearing,asiftheywerebeingbathedwithfireinsteadofwater,anditgotworseasFelixandKatfollowedtheslayersintotheunderkeep.

Woundedmenwere laid out in themess hall and along the corridor leading to the surgery, all inincrediblepain.Therewasasmellaboutthemtoo--asick,sourreekofneglectthatFelixassociatedwithovercrowdedpovertywards.Hewouldhaveexpectedsuchasmellifthesoldiershadlainhereforweeks,butnotsosoon.Theirwoundswerefresh--minutesold.Theplaceshouldsmellofbloodandburntflesh,butnotthecharnelhouse.Notyet.

CaptainZeismannstoodfromloweringaspearmanintoacot,andgaveFelix,Katandtheslayersawearysalute.

"Welldone,friends,"hesaid."Y'didheroes'workuponthemwallstonight.

SavedoldGoldie'sbaconforhimandnomistake."

"Goldie?"askedFelix.

"VonGeldrecht,"saidZeismann."Heain'tmuch,but--"Aroarofangerfromthesurgerycuthimoff,followedswiftlybythecrashofoverturningfurnitureandbellowedaccusations.

"Murderer!"

"Poisoner!"

"You'reinleaguewiththenecromancer!"

"Yertryin'toturnusallintozombies!"

"Please!" cried a higher voice. "It's got nothing to do with me!" Felix recognised the voice asTauber's,strainedtobreakingwithfear.

"Aw,what'sallthisnow?"groanedZeismann,andhurriedforthesurgerydoor,whichwasclogged

withknightsandfoottroops,allshoutingandtryingtogetinatonce.

Felix,KatandtheslayersfollowedasZeismannshovedandelbowedatthebackofthemob,raisinghisvoicetoaparade-groundbarktobeheard.

"Stepback!Stepback!What'sthetrouble?"

Thethreeslayersbulledthroughthecrowdasifitweren'tthere,andZeismannfollowedgratefullyintheirwake,withFelixandKattakinguptherear.

Inside, Greatsword Captain Bosendorfer and a semicircle of men had backed Tauber and hisassistantsintoacorner.Taubershrankfromthem,ascalpelinhisshakinghand.Hisassistantswieldedstoolsandbucketsandmops.Itsmelledworseintherethaninthecorridor.

"Youmayhavekilledus,youtraitor,"saidBosendorfer,"butwe'lltakeyouwithus."

"Andtakeyourheadofftoo,"saidaspearman."You'llnotbejoiningyourzombiebrothers."

"Hoy,now!"saidZeismann."What'sthisabout?"

"Ihaven'tpoisonedanyone,"criedTauber."Itmustbesomethingelse!Theclawsofthebats!"

52

"Aliaraswellasatraitor,"sneeredBosendorfer.Hepointedtooneofhismen,sweatingonacotlikehewasinanovenandclutchinganarmwoundthatglistenedwithoozinggreenpus."Pulcherwascutbyfallingslates.Thosehorrorsnevertouchedhim!"

"ThenIdon'tknowwhatitis!"saidTauber."ButI'vegotnothingtodowithit."

"That'sjustwhatyouwouldsay,"saidBosendorfer,startingforwards."Grabhim!BringhimouttotheyardwhereIcanmakeaproperswing.Andfetchouthisminionstoo."

"Wait,now,Bosendorfer!Wait!"shoutedZeismann,gettinginthegreatsword'sway."Iknowyoudon'tlikeoldTauber,buttheseareseriouscharges.Let'stakeittoGeneralNordling."

BosendorfershovedthespearmanintoFelix."Stayoutofit,Zeismann!Youdon'toutrankme!"

ThegreatswordchargedatTauberwiththemobbarginginbehindhim,fistsflying.

"Thisisbad,"saidKat."Gotrekneedshim."

"Weallneedhim,"saidFelix,settingZeismannonhisfeet.Taubermightbeapinchedlittlemanwiththebedsidemannerofamollusc,buthehadpatchedupnearlyahundredwoundedthedaybeforeandnonehadsickened--notevenKat,notevenafterFelixhadthreatenedhim.Whateverhiscrimes,Felixdoubtedthispresentevilwasoneofthem.

HecaughtBosendorfer'sarmashestartedtodragTauberoutoftheroom."Wait,captain!Areyoureallygoingtokilltheonlymanwhocanpatchyouup?"

"Aye,"addedZeismann,steppingbesidehim."Arey'daft?"Bosendorferglareddownatthemfromhisimpressiveheight,andlookedlikehewasgoingtoshovethemaside,buttheslayersmovedinbehindthemandheonlysnarled.

"He'snotpatchingusup,"hesaid."He'smurderingus,likehedidupnorth!"

"Hedidn'tmurderanyoneupnorth,Bosendorfer,"saidZeismann,exasperated.

"That'sallbeensortedout.Hejustcouldn'tsaveeveryone.Youknowthat."

"Iknownothingofthesort!"snappedthegreatsword."IsaidthenhewaswiththeKurgan,andnowIsayhe'swiththisnecromancer,tryingagain!"Felixblinked,confused.Thewarriorsoundedmad."Ifhe'swith the necromancer," he said, as calmly as he could, "thenwhy didn't he poison everybodyyesterdayafterthefight?"

Bosendorfer's cheek twitched as he locked eyeswithFelix. "Whoare you, thatwe should listen toyou?Areyouwiththenecromancertoo?Areyou,Zeismann?Getoutofourway!We'veatraitortokill!"

Themen roared in agreement, and this timeBosendorferdid shoveFelix andZeismann,but ashestartedtodragTauberbetweenthem,Gotrek,SnorriandRodisteppedinhisway.

"Ifyouinsultthemanling,"saidGotrek,"youinsultus."Bosendorferpausedatthis,lookinguneasilyfromslayertoslayer."I--Ididn'tinsulthim.Ionlytoldhimtogetoutoftheway."

"Yousaidhewaswiththenecromancer,"saidRodi.

53

"Snorridoesn'tknowanynecromancers,"saidSnorri."AndneitherdoesyoungFelix."

Felix could see thatBosendorferwould have liked to back down in the face of three so fearsomeopponents,but themenbehindhimwereshouting insultsat thedwarfsandegginghimon.Hewastrapped,anditmadehimangry."Idon'tcarewhoyouknoworwhoyouare!"heshouted."Youhavenoauthorityhere!IamGrafReiklander'scaptainofgreatswords.Iorderyoutogetoutofmyway!"Theslayers saidnothing,only raised their fists.FelixandKatdid thesameas themob roaredandZeismanncalledforcalm.Butthen,overallthenoise,cameabellowingfromthehall.

"SurgeonTauber!Clearyourtable!"

Felix recognised von Geldrecht's voice, and so did the rest, for they all stopped shoving as thestewardlimpedthroughwithtwohouseholdknightsbehindhim.Hewasusingacanetowalk.

"Tauber!" he gasped. "Youmust see toGeneralNordling at once.He has a pestilence in his--"Hestoppedashesawthescenebeforehim."Bosendorfer,whatisthis?Unhandoursurgeon!"

"Mylord,"saidBosendorfer,saluting."ItisTauberwhohascausedthepestilence.Look!"Heflashedahandaroundatthewounded,allmoaningandputrefyingintheircots."Lookattheirwounds.Hehaspoisonedthem!"

"Youdon'tknowthat,Bosendorfer!"saidZeismann.

VonGeldrechtcringedashelookedfromhorrortohorror,thenturnedbacktoTauber,afrightenedlookinhiseyes."Is--isthistrue,surgeon?"

"No,lordsteward,"saidTauber."Idon'tknowwhathascausedit.Isweartoyou."

"He'slying!"shoutedBosendorfer."He'skilledusall!"

"Mylord,"saidFelix,"Idon'tthinkhehas.Ifhewasresponsible,wouldn'thehavetriedtoslipaway?Hehasbeenathispost,tendingthewounded."

"Hehasbeensickeningthem!"criedBosendorfer.

"How d'ye know it was him that did it?" said Zeismann. "It could be anyone!" Everyone beganshouting at once,with vonGeldrecht bellowing over them all for silence, but then, into the roompushed four household knights with General Nordling on a stretcher between them, and thecacophonydiedawaytoawhisperofmurmuredprayersandindrawnbreaths.

The general, so straight and proudwhen Felix had first seen him, now lay on the stretcher like avictim of famine. His limbs, under the bloody shirt that was his only cover, were bone-thin andswollenatthejoints,andhisfacewasgauntandgrey.Hisbreathcameshallowandfast,likeapantingdog.Felixsawonlyonewoundonhim,butitwasterrible.Aspikeofbrokenbonejuttedoutofhisleftlegabovetheknee,andthegashthroughwhichitstuckwasblackandbubblingwithgreenpus,andstankofdeath.

ZeismannchokedastheknightsputNordlingonatable."Sigmar,whathappenedtohim?"

Afrightenedfieldsurgeonwhohadtrailedinbehindtheknightsshookhishead.

"Hewaswellenoughafterhefellfromthechapelroof.Justthebrokenleg,andhe54

madejokesaboutitaswecarriedhimtothebarracks,butonlymomentsafterwecleanedthewoundhewaslikethis.Idon'tunderstandit."VonGeldrechtturnedtoBosendorferandmotionedtoTauber,who was still pinned in the greatsword's iron grip. "Release him. Let him work." Bosendorferreluctantlyletgo,andTauberstooderect,hislimbsshaking.

"Thankyou,lordsteward,"hesaid,bowingtoVonGeldrecht.

"If you are responsible," said vonGeldrecht, putting his hand on his sword, "youwill reverse thepoison.Ifyouarenot,youwillcurehim,oritwillbetheworseforyou."

Tauberswallowed,andalookpassedbetweenthetwomenthatFelixcouldnotread."I--Iwilltry."

The surgeon motioned to his assistants and approached the table as they began to prepare hisimplements.

"Tellmeeverythingyoudid,"hesaidtothefieldsurgeonashecheckedNordling'spulseandpulledbackhiseyelids."Omitnodetail."

"Wedidonlywhatwealwaysdo,"saidtheman."Weremovedhisarmourandclothes,examinedhimthoroughly,thenwashedhiswoundscleanofdirtandgavehimstrongwinetodrinksothathewouldfeelitlesswhenweputtheboneback.

But...butwenevergotsofarasthat.Hesickenedtoofast.Hewastedawaybeforeoureyes!"

Tauberfrowned,seeminglybaffled,thenlookedbackuneasilyatvonGeldrecht,whogrippedthehiltofhisswordwithwhiteknuckles."Iamnotsurewhattodo,mylord,"hequavered."Heappearstobedyingofdysentery,buttoreachsuchanadvancedstageofthediseaseshouldtakedays,notminutes."

"Icarenotwhatitis,"saidvonGeldrecht."Onlyhealhim."

"But,mylord,tohealamaninthisconditiontakesdays--weeks.Hewillnotgetbetterinamatterofmoments,nomatterwhatIdo."

Von Geldrecht said nothing, only drew his sword, his face white. Tauber sighed and turned hisassistants. "Wash his wounds clean of pus and spoon-feed him water," he said. "After I salve thewoundwewillsetthebone."Theassistantsnodded.Onedippedaclothinabasinbesidethetable,thenbegandabbingattheblackmeatofthewoundastheothertuggedNordling'smouthopenandbegantippingwater intoitfromaspoon,onedropata time.Taubercrossedtoashelfandbeganpullingdown pots and vials. But as he laid them out on a tray, there was a commotion in the hall and awoman'svoice,highandstrained.

"Letmethrough!Byallmercies,letmethrough!"

ThesoldiersatthedoorpartedandSisterWillentrudepushedinbetweenthem,herroundfaceredandshiny,andherheavychestheavinglikeasail.HereyeswidenedwhenshesawNordlingonthetable,andsheshotoutahand.

"Stop!"shecried."Donot touchhimwith thatcloth!Takeawaythatspoon!"TheassistantscringedbackandTauberturned,staringather.

"Whatisthis,SisterWillentrude?"heasked."Istheresomething--"

"Thewater," she gasped as she tried to catch her breath. "The lowerwell has been poisoned.Andeveryjug,canteenandhorsetroughIhavechecked."Sheturned55

tovonGeldrecht."Mylord,youmusttelleveryone.Donotdrinkorwashwithwateruntilwecantestitall."

"Yousee!"criedBosendorfer,turningbacktoTauberasvonGeldrechtstared.

"Thetraitorhaspoisonedusall!"

56

SEVENVonGeldrecht turnedonTauber, eyes filledwith fear andquestions. "Surgeon--"Tauber stumbledback."Mylordsteward,Iassureyou!Ihavenotdonethisthing.

Ihaven'tanysuchpower.Iamjustanordinaryman.Youknowthat."

"Don'tlistentohim!"shoutedBosendorfer."He'spoisonedmebefore!"

"Please, lord steward," said Sister Willentrude. "I can't believe it could be Tauber. He is a finesurgeon,adedicatedmanofmedicine!Itcouldn'tbehim!"

"Canyouproveitwasn't?"askedBosendorfer."Canyouproveheisinnocent?"VonGeldrechtsaidnothing,onlystaredatTauberasBosendorferandthesistercontinuedtoargue.

Felixcouldn't take itany longer.HesteppedforwardsandshoutedatvonGeldrecht."Steward!Areyougoing tostandherewhile themenof thecastlearestilldrinkingandbathing in taintedwater?Givetheorder!"VonGeldrecht'seyessnappedaroundtoFelix,hotwithanger,butthenhestopped,palingwithrealisation.

Heturnedtothemen."Onmyorder,"hesaid."Speedtoeverycornerofthecastle.

NooneistodrinkortouchwateruntilIsay.Go!Spreadtheword."Themen,cowedbythehorrorofNordling'scondition,hurriedoutofthesurgerywithoutargument,yellingtoeveryoneinthehallandleavingvonGeldrecht andhis knights,Bosendorfer,Zeismann,Felix,Kat and the slayers standingaroundTauberandhisassistants,wholookedshakenandsick.

"Water,"Taubermumbled."HowwasI toknow?HowwasI--"Abreathyrattle interruptedhimandeveryone lookedatGeneralNordling.His shallowpantinghadstopped,andhe layabsolutely still.Tauberwentwhiteandsteppedtohim,takinghispulseagainandlisteningtohischest.Heclosedhiseyesandmurmuredaprayer,thenstood.

"He--heisdead,mylordsteward."

Thehouseholdknightsgroanedandloweredtheirheads,butBosendorferspuntovonGeldrecht.

"Killhim,mylord,"hesaid."Killhimasyousaidyouwould!"

"No!"criedKat."HemustseetoGotrek!TauberhastocleantheSlayer'swound!"

"Mylord,youmustn'tkillhim,"saidSisterWillentrude."Withoutwater,wewillhave tofindotherwaystocleananddresswounds.Wewillneedhisexpertise."

"Hisexpertiseisindeath,"snarledBosendorfer."Hanghim!Orthemenwilldoitforyou!"

VonGeldrechthadsaidnothing throughthisstormofargument,onlyheldeyeswithTauber,butatthislastheshotasharplookatBosendorfer.

57

"WithGeneralNordling's death," he said, cold and quiet, "I amnowacting commander untilGrafReiklanderrecovers.Andascommander,Iwillnotallowamantohangwithouttrial,norwillIallowhim to be subject to barracks justice."He turned to the household knights. "Classen," he said to ayoungknightsergeantwithtearsinhiseyes."Lockupthesurgeon.Hewillstayinthedungeonuntilwegettothebottomofthis."

"But,mylord,"saidSisterWillentrude."Thatisnobetter.Howwillhedohisworkfromacell?"

"HowwillhecleanGotrek'swound?"askedKat.

"UntilIknowwherehisloyaltieslie,"saidvonGeldrecht,"heremainsunderlockandkey.Takehimaway,Classen.Andhisminionstoo."Theyoungknightnodded,thenmotionedtotheotherstoarrestTauberandhismen.

"Now," said vonGeldrecht, sighing. "Wewill check the stores. I want to see if anything elsewastainted."

KatlookedlikeshewasgoingtoprotestTauber'sarrestagain,buttheSlayershookhishead.

"Forgetit,littleone,"hesaid."It'sallpartofthedoom."FelixgaggedasGotrekknockedinthetopofabarrelofsaltedmeatswithhisaxe.

Fatmaggotscrawledalloverbubblingbeefandthestenchofrottingfleshburnedhiseyes.Katcutopenasackofbeans,thenchokedascloudsofmildewsporesbillowedupfromit.Inotherpartsofthe vaulted cellar vonGeldrecht and the restwere finding similar horrors. SisterWillentrudewasopeningasackofonionsthathadbecomeblackballsofslime.BosendorferwaspickingdistastefullythroughapplesandturnipsgonebrownandrunnywhileZeismannwascringingawayfromthehardsausagesthathungfromthebeams,theircasingssplitandgivingbirthtoaswarmofflies.

Fromthefarsideoftheroomcameadismayeddwarfenshout."Notthebeer,too!"

FelixandKatlookedaround.Rodiwasstandingontip-toestaringintoakegalmostastallashewas,hishandswhite-knuckledonthelip.Snorriwasstaggeringback,awkwardonhispegleg,wavingabighandinfrontofhisbulbousnose.

"Snorrithinksthat'stheworstbeerhe'seversmelled."VonGeldrechtblinkedatthetwoslayers,thenturned and hurried to a long rack of dustywine bottles.He grabbed one and broke the top off byknocking it against thewall, then inhaledover theopenneck.Hecoughedandwinced,holding thebottleawayfromhimandcoveringhisfaceinthecrookofhisarm.

"Thisflourmightbesaved,"saidZeismann.

Therestcameovertolookatthesackhehadsplitopen.Theflourthatspilledfromitwascrawlingwithtinybeetles,butdidnotappearrotten.

VonGeldrecht lookedrevolted,butnodded."Itwillhave tobesifted,but it seemswehave flouratleast."

"Yes,"saidBosendorfer."Thoughnowatertomixitwith,thankstoTauber."

"Mmmm,"saidZeismann,rubbinghisskinnybelly."Dryflour,withbugs."58

SisterWillentrudeshookherhead."Thenecromancerhasnearlydefeatedus inasinglenight,"shesaid. "The bats killed scores ofmen. The poisonedwater has killed scoresmore, and hunger andthirstwillfinishtherest.Itisimpossiblethatthecastlecanstillstand."

VonGeldrechtglaredather."Itmuststand!Wemustholduntilourreliefgetshere."

"Buthow?"askedthesister."Amanmightliveaweekonbiscuit,thoughhewillbeasweakasachild,butaweekwithoutwater?Impossible.Fourdaysatthemost,andmuchlessifheisforcedtofight."

"Andwewillbeforcedtofight,"saidFelix.

"Can'tyoupraytoShallya?"askedBosendorfer,holdingupadisintegratingapple."Can'tyoumakeitallwholesomeagain?"

"The food is fouled beyond redemption," said Sister Willentrude. "But prayers to Shallya mightpurifysomewater,thoughhowmuchIcouldn'tsay."

"Whatabouttakingwaterfromtheriver?"askedFelix."Surelythenecromancercan'thavepoisonedthewholeReik?"

"He don't have to," sighedZeismann. "We're downstream from theReikerMarshes. Thewater formilesbelowthatstinkingswampain'tfittodrinkunlessitisboiled."

"Sostartboiling,"saidGotrek.

Von Geldrecht swallowed, looking as pale and sick as one of the poisoned defenders. His firstmoments as acting commander of the castle had not been auspicious ones. "Yes," he said. "Startboiling.Andpasswordtothementhatthefoodhasbeenpoisonedaswell.I...Iwillconsultwiththegraf."Andwiththat,heturnedandlimpedoutoftheroom.

As they left thestore roomandBosendorferandZeismannwent to tell thecastleabout thespoiledfood,KatsteppedafterSisterWillentrude.

"Sister,"shesaid,"canyoulookatSlayerGotrek'swound?Itmustbecleanedorhemaydie."

Thesister turned,smilingpatiently."Child, Imustbeginmyprayers.Thedangerweface isbiggerthanthewoundsofonedwarf."

"Butheisn'tonlyadwarf,"pleadedKat."Heisaslayer.Whoelseisstrongenoughtofightthewightkingifhecomesback?"

Rodisnorted."You'dthinkhefoughtthebastardalone,"hesaidunderhisbreath.

Gotrek ground his teeth. "I told you to forget it, little one." But SisterWillentrudewas frowning,considering.ShelookedatGotrek."Isawyoufightonthewalls,herrdwarf.Youareindeedwortha

scoreofmen.Butwhereisthisgrievouswound?Iseeonlythescratchonyourleg."

"Thatisit,"saidFelixquickly."ItwasmadebyKrell'saxe,whichleavespoisonsplintersthatseektheheartandkillintime."

"And it is too late to remove them," growled Gotrek, impatient. He turned and started for thecourtyard."Thereareworsewounded,priestess.Seetothem."

"No,herrSlayer,"SisterWillentrudecalledafterhim."Youarekeytoourdefence.Forthesakeofthecastle,ifnotyourown,Iwillaskyoutocomewithme."59

Gotrekkeptwalking,butKatcaughtuptohimandputahandonhismassivearm.

"Please,Gotrek,"shesaid."Lethertry."

Gotrekwalkedforafewmoresteps,butatlasthestopped."Foryou,littleone,"hesaid,"Iwillgo."

Thesistersmiledasheturnedbacktoher."Thankyou,herrSlayer.Followme."Sheledthembacktowardsthesurgery,talkingoverhershoulderasshewent."Itisn'tjustforyourfightingskillthatIwishtokeepyouamongtheliving.Youlothavecoolheads,andwithGeneralNordlingdeadnow,wewillbeneedingallofthosewecanlayourhandson,I'mthinking."

Theyentered thesurgery,whereSisterWillentrude's initiateswere tending to themoaningrowsofwounded,andfollowedhertoapantry-sizedshrineofShallyaattheback.

ShepointedGotrektoabenchasshegatheredforceps,lens,jugandcloth,andpulledastoolupinfrontofhim."GeneralNordlingranthecastlewell,"shesighed.

"Butwithhimdeadandthegrafunwell,thatleavesvonGeldrecht,andIfearoldGoldieain'tuptothetask."

ThesistertookupthejugofwaterandbeganprayingoveritasFelixandKatwatchedandtheslayerswaitedatthedoor,RodistillmutteringaboutGotreknotbeingtheonlyonetohavefoughtKrell.TheSlayer'sgashwasnotdeep,butitwasgrimedwithlittleblackflecks.

Finishingherprayer,SisterWillentrude tasted thewater, then,satisfied,poured it liberallyover thewoundandspongeditwiththecloth.Thefleckslessened,butdidnotvanish.Nextshetookupthelensandtheforceps.

"Yes,"shesaid,proddingthewound."Therearesliverswellburiedinthemuscle.Manyofthem."

Gotrek sat stoic, his jaw set, as she gripped and pulled with the forceps, removing splinter aftersplinterfromhisfleshandwipingthemontothecloth.

"So,GrafReiklanderisconfinedtohisbed?"askedFelixassheworked."Heisthatill?"

SisterWillentrudesniffed."Iknownot.Isawhimonce, thedayhereturnedwithhis troops,andhewas gravely wounded, but since then the Grafin Avelein has not seen fit to let me see him, onlyTauber.OnlyheandvonGeldrechtareallowedintohisrooms,andtheytellmenothingotherthan,

'hislordshipisrecovering'."

"IsthatwhyvonGeldrechtwouldnotallowBosendorfertostringTauberup?"askedFelix.

"Verylikely,"shesaid."ThickasthievesthestewardandthesurgeonhavebeensinceGrafReiklanderreturned." She shook her head bitterly as she removed another sliver. "I wish the graf were wellagain--orthathissonwouldreturnfromuniversityinAltdorf.Thegrafwasanablecommander,wiseand strong, and Dominic a sharp-minded lad. Neither would have locked Tauber up for fear ofBosendorfer.Theywouldhave lockedBosendorfer up for insubordination.Now Imust dodoubleduty as physician and sister, and spend time and strength I don't have praying for pure water.HopefullyvonGeldrechtwillcometohissenses.Besiegedlikethiswecannotsurvivelongwithoutarealsurgeon."

60

"IsTauberagoodsurgeon?"askedKat.

Thesisterchuckledwithoutlookingupfromherwork."Feltthelashofhistongue,haveyou?Well,he'sneverbeenafriendlysort,andgoingnorthonlymadethatworse.Somanymendead.Somanymenhecouldn'tsave.Itlefthimbitter,butyou'llfindnomoretalentedbone-cutterintheEmpire.HetreatsKarlFranzhimselfwhenhesummershere."

Withasighshesatbackandmoppedherbrow."Well,I'veremovedallIcansee,"shesaid."Buttherearemore. I'm certain of it." She pushed to her feet and stepped to her cupboard again,where shebeganpullingdownpotsandjars."Iwillprepareapoulticethatwill,Shallyawilling,drawoutmore,butIdon'tknowifeventhatwillgetthemall."

Gotrekshruggedasshebegantomixingredientsinabowl."AslongasIlivelongenoughtofaceKrellagain,Idon'tcare."

"Don'tthinkI'llbackoffbecauseofthis,Gurnisson,"saidRodi."You'llstillhavetobeatmetohimifyouwanthim."

"Don'tworry,Balkisson,"saidGotrek."Iwill."

Thick smokewas rising into thepink skyofpre-dawnasFelix andKat steppedwearilyoutof theunderkeepwiththeslayers.Agreatpyreofheadlessbodiesburnedinthemiddleofthecourtyard,andtheairwasfilledwiththequeasysmellofsweetpork.FatherUlframandhisacolytestoodinfrontofthe pyre, chanting, the blind priest holding his warhammer unwaveringly above his head andclutchingtheholybooktohischestunopened.Inacirclearoundthepyre,theirheadsbowedinsilentprayer, the survivors of the battle stood--the household troops, the knights, vonVolgen'smen, theservantsandrefugeefarmerswhohadthoughtthecastlewouldprotectthem.

In the front row, their faces carved into stark, flickering relief by the glow of the fire, were thevariouscommandersandcaptains--vonVolgen,withnewbandagestoaddtotheonearoundhischest,vonGeldrechtleaningonhiscane,Bosendorferglaringatthefireasifitweretheenemy,Zeismannchewinghislipandshufflinghisfeet,Yaekel,theriverwarden,asleeponhisfeet,andDraegerwithhisthumbshookedinhisbelt,lookinglikehe'dratherbeanywhereelse.

Manyofthefarmersandservantswept.Manymorejuststareddully,shockedbythesuddennessandsavagery of the attack. The knights and household troops, veterans of the war in the north, onlylookedtiredandresigned.Felixknewthelook.

Hehadseenitmanytimesbefore,inthefacesofthosehehadfoughtbesideoverallhislongyearswithGotrek.Thelossofcomradesinbattlewasnevereasy,butfortheprofessionalsoldier,itwasafamiliarpain, andcausedneither shocknor anger, just aweary sadness they lockedawaywhere itwouldnot interferewith theirwork.Thepainwouldbe letout later,whenallwas safe, andwouldescapeasdrinkingandfightingandwhoringandthesingingofraucoussongs.Butitwashiddennow,andwouldnotshowitselfwhilethethreatoffurtherbattleremained.

Felix andKat started across the courtyard towards the pyre, but the slayerswere talking amongstthemselvesanddidn't follow.Felixpaused,wondering if theywere still arguingaboutKrell, but itwassomethingelseentirely.

61

"Payyour respects,manling," saidGotrek. "Wewant tohavea lookat theseso-calledward-wovenwalls."

"'Enduring',"sneeredRodi."Aye.Asenduringasanelf'shonour."FelixnoddedandheandKatjoinedthemournersasthedwarfsstumpedoffintheoppositedirection.AfterseeingthesquabblingbetweenBosendorfer,Tauber andvonGeldrecht,Felixwas abit enviousof the slayers' ability toput asidetheiranimositiesandworkforthecommongood.HeknewthatGotrekandRodiwerestillangrywitheachother,buttheywouldn'tletitgetinthewayofwhatwasimportant.

Ifonlyhumanscouldlearnthatskill.

WhenFatherUlfram'schantingendedandeveryonehadmurmuredalast

"Sigmar preserve us", the crowd broke up--the surviving refugees returning to clear away theirblackened tents, the household troops to begin repairing the defences, but the officers gatheredaroundvonGeldrechtandFatherUlfram,whoweretalkingtogetherinlowtones.VonVolgenjoinedthemtoo.

FelixedgedcloserwithKat,wantingtohearwhetherGrafReiklanderhadtoldvonGeldrechttoholdorretreat,butitwasFatherUlframwhowasspeaking.

"No,Ican'tbecertain,"hequavered."ButIfearitmustbe.Inthehistories,theyarealwaysmentionedin the same breath. If the dwarf spoke true, and it was Krell he fought on the walls, then thenecromanceriswhoIfearedhewasfromthefirst--

HeinrichKemmler,whoraisedKrellfromathousand-yearslumbertoserveashischampion."Thename seemed to mean little to most of the officers, and it stirred only vague memories fromuniversitylecturesinFelix,butvonVolgenknewit.

"Itcan'tbeKemmler,"hesaid."Hewasslainovertwentyyearsago,inBretonnia."

"Itmightbe,"saidthepriest,nodding."Itmightbe,butthedeathsofnecromancersareoftengreatly

exaggerated.Andifitishe,wefaceaterriblethreat.

Terrible.KemmlerwassaidtobeoneofthegreatestnecromancerssinceNagash,defeatingthemostpowerfulmagistersandpriestsofhisage.Ifheisreturned,thendarkdayshavebefallentheEmpire.Darkdays."

Zeismannsnorted."Andthat'sachange,isit?"

Von Geldrecht smiled and clapped Zeismann on the shoulder. "Thank you, captain," he said, withforcedcheer."ThatisthetrueEmpirespirit.Knowingthenameofourenemychangesnothing.Wehave facedworsebefore, andspat in theireye.Wewilldo the samenow."He turned to theothers."Now,gentlemen,yourreports.Bosendorfer?"

Themenall lookedateachother,clearlynot fullyconfident in theirnewcommander,despitehowhardhewastrying--orperhapsbecauseofit.

"Tenmendead,sir,"saidthegreatswordatlast."FourfromTauber'spoisons."Thestewardcoughed."EnoughaboutTauber.Howmanycanfight?"

"Thirteen,"saidBosendorfer,sullen."Onlythirteen."

"Zeismann?"askedvonGeldrecht.

"Thirty-threedeadorwounded,"saidthespearcaptain."Thirty-ninefightingfit."

"Thirty-sevenknightsdead,"saidvonVolgen."Fifty-fivewellenoughtofight.

Fortymorearewoundedorsickfromthetaintedwater.Idonotincludetheknightswhodiedorwereinjuredinyesterday'sengagement."

62

"Eight dead," said Artillery Captain Volk. "We'll have to drop to two-man crews if y'want all thecannonfiring,mylord."

"Elevenmendead,sir,"saidYaekel,"Andmybarracksandthecanvasonmysloopsburned.Mylord,I--"

Von Geldrecht held up a hand. "Yes, Yaekel. You wish to retreat. So noted." He turned to thehandgunnercaptain."Hultz?"

"Twenty-eightdead,mylord,"saidtheman."Only--onlyeighteenleftalive.

Thembats,sir.Theydoneforussomethingterrible."

"Iknow,Hultz,"saidvonGeldrechtsadly."Iknow."Henodded towards theslovenlyfree-companycaptain."Andyou,Captain...whatisyournameagain?"

"Draeger, yerworship," said the captain. "Er, three dead and twenty-seven alive." Everyone's head

turned.

VonGeldrechtglared."Youdidn'tfight."

Draeger squaredhis jaw. "Weguarded the stables,yerworship.Barred thedoorandwatched themhorsesliketheywereourown."

"Thestableswereneverunderattack!"roaredBosendorfer.

"Aye,"saidDraeger,smug."Thankstous."

Theotherofficersallstartedbarkingatonce,butvonGeldrechthelduphishands."Enough!Nevermind!Wewilldealwiththislater."HeturnedtotheyoungknightsergeantwhohadweptatNordling'sdeath."Classen?"ClassenpulledhiseyesawayfromDraegerandsaluted."Thirty-twodead,sir,"hesaid,thenswallowed."In--includingGeneralNordling.Fiftystilllivingandable."

"Andatleastahundredoftheservantsandfarmfolkdead,"saidFatherUlfram.

"Withmorewoundedandsick."

VonGeldrechtsighedandstaredintothefire."So,"hesaid."Morethanathirddeadorincapacitatedafteroneattack,andanyreinforcementsatleastsixdaysaway--oncetheyactuallystarttheirmarch.It...willbedifficult."

"Itwillbe impossible!"criedYaekel. "Forgiveme,my lord,butwehavenochancehere!Wemusttaketotheriverandescape!Thereisnootherway!"

"Be silent, Yaekel!" barked von Geldrecht. "I have told you--" Zeismann cut in before he couldcontinue."MuchasIhatetoadmitit,"hesaid,

"I'mafraidI'vetosidewithYaekel.We'retooreducednowt'doanygood.Let'sfallbacktoNadjagardwherewecanmakeaproperdefence."

"Iagree,"saidvonVolgen.HebowedasvonGeldrechtroundedonhim.

"Forgiveme,lordsteward.Iamyourguest,andwillfollowyourorders,butthisattackwasonlyaquickjabtotestourmettle,anditkilledathirdofthegarrison.

Whenthenecromancerbringshisfullstrengthtobear,whatwillbethecostthen?"Heshookhishead."Ifearthecastleisalostcause.WecandomoregoodinNadjagard."

"Thankyouforyouropinion,mylord,"saidvonGeldrecht,verystiff."ButthoughIseethewisdomofit,GrafReiklanderisadamantthatCastleReikguardbeheldtothelastman,andIwillnotdisobeyhim."He turned tohis captains. "Youwill secondmen fromeachofyourwatches tohelpwith theconstructionofhoardingsandotherdefences,and--"

63

"But, my lord!" wailed Yaekel, interrupting. "What will we eat?What will we drink? Even if the

zombiesdon'tgetus,we'lldieofthirst!"

"SisterWillentrude is purifyingwater to be used for thewashing ofwounds," said vonGeldrecht."Andthekitchenstaffarepreparingfirestoboilwaterfordrinkingandcooking.Wewillhavewaterandaheartymealof...offlatcakesverysoon."

"IfImightmakeasuggestion,yerworship?"saidDraeger.

"Ifitinvolvesyourunningaway,youcanforgetit,"growledBosendorfer.

"Notatall,"saidDraeger."Only,we'renotcompletelycutoffhere,arewe?Whydon'twesendoutWardenYaekel'sboatsonaforagingmission?Godownrivertosomevillagewherethezombiesain't,andbringbacksomefood."Everyonelookedaround,takenoffguardbythesensiblenessoftheidea.VonGeldrechtnodded.

"Thatisanexcellentsuggestion,Draeger,"hesaid."Wewilldojustthat."

"Thankyou,yerworship,"saidDraeger."AndifImight--"

"Youwillhavenopartinit,"saidvonGeldrecht,cuttinghimoff,"asIfearthatyoumightsomehowgetlostwhileashore."

"Ohno,mylord,"saidDraeger,hiseyeswide."Iassureyou--"

"Enough!" said von Geldrecht. "Zeismann, you will take fifteen of your men and escort CaptainYaekelandhiscrewdownrivertorequisitionfoodandsuppliesfromthevillagesthere."HepausedasYaekel'seyeslitup,thencontinued."AndyouwillmakesurethatCaptainYaekelandhiscrewdonotgetlosteither."Yaekel'sfacefellasZeismanngrinned.

"Yes,sir,"saidthespearcaptain."There'llbenomenoverboardonthistrip."KatclutchedFelix'sarmastheconversationcontinued."Felix!"shewhispered.

"ThisisourchancetogetSnorriaway!"

"Aye,"saidFelix."Let'sfindGotrek."

***

They found the three slayersat last in thenarrow tunnel that ranunder thecastle'souterwalls andconnecteditstowers.Theystoodtogether,holdingalanternclosetoasquarestonesetinthewall,andstaringattheangulardwarfrunethathadbeenchiselledintoit.

"Gotrek,"calledFelix,as theyapproached."VonGeldrecht issendingoutaforagingpartybyboat.We'll be able to get Snorri..."He trailed off as he saw that the slayersweren't listening. They justcontinuedtostareattherune.

"Issomethingwrong?"askedFelix.

Gotrek pulled his attention from the rune and looked at Felix.His one eye blazedwith fury. "It is

broken."

FelixandKatsteppedinandpeeredcloser.Ahairlinecracksplitthestonefromsidetoside,andcutthrougheveryarmoftherune.

"Thisiswhythedeadcouldcrossthewalls,"Gotrekrumbled."Withthiscrack,thepowerforgedintotherunehasescaped."

64

"Andeveryrunewe'vefoundisthesame,"saidRodi.

"Buthowdidithappen?"askedKat."Anearthquake?Settling?"Rodishookhishead."SincetheTimeofWoes,thedwarfshavemadesuchrunesimpervioustonaturalwear.Andthishappenedonlydaysago.Aweekatthemost."

"Snorrithinksitstinksofmagic,"saidSnorri.

"Aye,"saidGotrek."Ahammercouldn'ttouchsucharune.Achiselcouldn'tmakeamark.Thiswastheworkofsorcery."

"SoitwasKemmler'sdoing?"askedKat.

"Kemmler?"askedRodi."Who'sKemmler?"

"FatherUlframsays that if thewight isKrell," saidFelix, "then thenecromancermustbeHeinrichKemmler,whoraisedhimfromhistomb."

"Neverheardofhim,"saidGotrek.

"Whoeverheis,"saidRodi,"ifhebroketherunes,hemusthaveslippedintothecastlehimself."Hepointedtothefloorofthetunnel,thentothestoneagain."Youseewheresomeonetriedtobrushawaytheirfootprints?Youseetheimprintofahandthere?"

FelixandKatlookedatthestoneagain.Attheverycentre,overlappingthebrokenrune,wereafewsmoothpatcheswhereitlookedliketheroughstonehadbeenglazed.ItremindedFelixoftheshinyscarsleftonfleshbyabrandingiron,butthepatchesformedtheshapeofthepalmandfingersofahand.

Katshivered."Atouchthatcancrackstone?"

Rodi nodded. "And the samemarks are on every onewe've found." Felix swallowed as a thoughtcametohim."Kemmlerwouldn'tbothertowipeawayhisfootprints.Hewouldn'tcare.Butsomeonewhowasafraidofbeingcaught..."

Gotreknodded."Aye,manling.Thesaboteurisinthecastle."65

EIGHTFelixgroaned.Ontopofeverythingelse,theremightbeasaboteuramongthem,andapowerfulone--powerfulenoughtodestroycenturies-olddwarfrunes.

"WemusttellvonGeldrecht,"hesaid."Wemustfindwhodidthis."

"Aye,"saidGotrek."Andkillthem."

TheSlayerwalkedtowardstheexit,thenlookedbackasFelix,Katandtheotherslayersfollowed.

"Yousaidsomethingaboutaboat,manling?"

"Uh,yes,"saidFelix.Therevelationof thebrokenruneshadmomentarilyknockedeverythingelseoutofhishead.VonGeldrecht is sendingaboatdownriver to forage for food. "It seemsaperfectopportunitytogetSnorrioutandonhiswaytoKarakKadrin."

"WhywouldSnorriwanttogotoKarakKadrinwhentherearezombiestofight?"askedSnorri.

"You'veforgottenagain,FatherRustskull,"saidRodi.

"You'regoingtotheShrineofGrimnirtogetyourmemoryback."

"Oh,right,"saidSnorri."Snorriforgotheforgot."

Gotrekshookhishead."Itwon'twork."

Felixblinked."Whatdoyoumean?Therearenozombiesblockingtherivergate.

Whatwouldstopus?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidGotrek."Butthebrokenrunesareproofthenecromancerhasplannedthiswell.Hewould not forget the boats."The courtyardwas a hive of activity as Felix,Kat and the slayerssteppedintoit.

Behindthepyreofthedead,stillburningnearthestables,carpentersanddefenderswerelayingoutlengths of wood and putting together thewooden roofs of hoardings, whilemorewerewinchingpalletsofblackpowderbarrelsandcannonshotuptothewalls.Eventheknightswerebendingtheirbacks, vonVolgen'sTalabeclandersworking side by sidewith the household knights.At quayside,Zeismannandhispickedmenwere liningupas the riverwardensmade the largestof their sloopsready to sail. Von Geldrecht was giving Zeismann and Yaekel, the boat's captain, last-minuteinstructionsasBosendorferandvonVolgenwaitedtospeaktohim.

"Asimportantasfoodisshot,"vonGeldrechtwassayingasFelix,Katandtheslayersnearedthem."Wemustkeepthegunsfiring.Takeallyoucan."

"My lord vonGeldrecht," called Felix. "We have grave news." The steward broke off and turned,mouthpursedinannoyance."Everyonehasgravenews,meinherr,"hesaid."Itwillhavetowait."

"Itcan'twait,mylord,"saidFelix."Itaffectsthisforagingtrip."66

VonVolgenandthethreecaptainsturnedtolisten.

VonGeldrecht's bearded jowlsworked angrily. "Verywell," he snapped. "What is this desperatelyimportantnews?"

"Youhaveatraitorinthecastle,"saidGotrek."Someonehasdestroyedyourwardingrunes."

"Withmagic,"saidSnorri.

"Yourwallswouldn'tkeepoutanundeadflea,"saidRodi.

VonGeldrecht,vonVolgenandtheofficersstared,thenlookedaroundattheirmennervouslyButitseemedonlytheyhadheard.

Thestewardlimpedcloserandloweredhisvoice."Youarecertainofthis,dwarfs?"

"Certainassteel,"saidGotrek.

"Butcantheyberepaired?"askedvonVolgen."Canyoufixthem?"GotrekandRodisnorted.

Snorrilaughed."Snorrithinksyoudon'tknowmuchaboutrunes."

"Arunecannotberepaired,"saidGotrek."Itmustbereplaced."

"It takes a master runesmith years to make a single rune," said Rodi. "And we are not masterrunesmiths."

"Someoneinthecastle?"vonGeldrechtaskedashelookedaroundatthesoldiersandofficerswhowerehardatworkcleaningupthewreckageofthepreviousnight'sbattle."Areyoucertain?"

"Thefootprintsofhewhodiditweredeliberatelywipedaway,"saidFelix.

"Whoeverdidithadreasontohide."

"Tauber!" criedBosendorfer, triumphant. "ItwasTauber.He poisoned thewater and destroyed therunes!"

VonGeldrechtblanched,butZeismannjustrolledhiseyes.

"You'vegotTauberonthebrain,greatsword."

"You think it's somebody else?" sneered Bosendorfer. "Who, then?" Von Geldrecht shushed themfranticallyasthemeninthecourtyardstartedtoturntowardstheirraisedvoices."Noneofthat!Noneofthat!Letushavenounfoundedspeculation.Wemustn'talarmthemen."HeturnedtoFelix."Ithankyou,sir,andyou,frienddwarfs,foryourinformation.Butpleasebequietaboutthis.Iwilltakethenecessarysteps."Heturnedaway."Now,forgiveme,ImustseeoffCaptainZeismannand--"

"Theboatwon'tcomeback,"saidGotrek.

VonGeldrecht's head jerked back around. "I beg your pardon?"VonVolgen and the three officersstaredtoo.

"If this necromancer is cunning enough to plant a saboteur into your castle," said Rodi. "He isn'tlikelytohaveforgottenyoucouldsailaway,ishe?"

"Yersayinghe'llstoptheboat?"askedZeismann."How?"Gotrekshrugged."Itwillbestopped."

VonGeldrecht'sheadswivelledfromslayertoslayer,eyesblazing,thenhethrewuphishands."Thisismeresupposition!Howcouldhestoptheboat?Thesunisinthesky.Krellhasgone.Iseenobats.No,Iamsorry,friends.Wemusteatorwewillbetooweaktofight.Imustriskit."

67

"Mylord,please,"saidFelix,steppingforwards."Gotrekisrarelywronginthesethings.He--"

"Well, he iswrongnow!"VonGeldrecht turnedawayandmotioned toZeismannandYaekel,who,alongwithBosendorfer and vonVolgen, had been listeningwith uneasy expressions to thewholeexchange."Goon,"hesaid."Onboard.Castoff.

Justcomebackbeforesunset."

"Lordsteward,"coughedvonVolgen,murmuringinvonGeldrecht'sear."Thenecromancerhassofarleftnothingtochance.Ifear--"

"Thereisnotimeforfear!"snappedvonGeldrecht."GrafReiklanderordersmetoact!"

"But,mylord--"saidZeismann,hesitant.

"Doyouwanttoliveonbiscuitandwaterforsevendaysbecauseyouweretooafraidtocrossariverinbroaddaylight?"shoutedvonGeldrecht,hisjowlsquivering.

"Doyouwantourguns tostandcoldwhen thosehorrorscomefor thewalls?Geton theboat! I'morderingyou!GrafReiklanderisorderingyou!"Zeismannlookedlikehewasgoingtomakeanotherobjection, but then only saluted. "Aye,my lord," he said stiffly. "Very good,my lord." The spearcaptaingaveFelix,Katandtheslayersacurtnodoffarewell,thenturnedandmarchedontothesloopwithhismenfollowingbehind.Yaekelhesitatedat thefootofthegangplank,lookingsuddenlylessthaneagertodepart.

VonGeldrechtfixedhimwithaglitteringstare."Haveyousomecomplaint,captain?"hegrowled.

Yaekelswallowedandshookhishead."No,mylord."

"Thencastoff!Opentherivergate!"

"Aye,mylord!"

Yaekelranontothesloopandshoutedathisboatmenastheypulledinthegangplankandtookuptheiroars.Thepilotatthesternturnedthewheel,thenraisedahornandblewaloudblast.Inanswer,therewasaclatteringandcreakingfromthetowersoneithersideoftheharbourgate,andtheheavyironlatticesthatserveditasdoorsbegantoswingopen.Inthewaistofthesloop,Zeismannmadethesignofthehammer,thenturnedtohismen.

"Tothesides,lads,"hecalled."Spearsattheready,andkeepyoureyesonthewater."

Asthesloopoaredawayfromthequayside,Felixlookedatthefacesofthemenwhowatcheditgo.Bosendorferwaspale,andvonVolgengrim,butthemoststrickenofallwasvonGeldrecht,moppinghisashenbrowwithatremblingkerchief.

ForthebriefestsecondheraisedtheclothandFelixthoughthewasgoingtocallbackthesloop,butthenhelowereditagainandonlywipedhismouth.

Gotrekshotaone-eyedglarehim,thenstartedtowardsthemenwhowereassemblingthehoardings."Come,manling,"hesaidoverhisshoulderasRodiandSnorri followedhim."There'sworktobedone."

Felixlookedfromtheslayerstothesloop."Whatwork?"

"Ifthewardsarebroken,"saidGotrek,"thenhoardingsarethebestdefence.

Smartestthingthemanlingshavedoneyet."

68

Felixglancedagainatthesloop,whichwaspullinginitsoarsandunfurlingitssailsasitnearedthewatergate,thenlookedquestioninglyatKat.

"Ihavetosee,"shesaid."Ihaveto."

Felixturnedbacktotheslayers."We'llfindyou."

Thedwarfsonlygruntedandkepton.

Felix and Kat hurried for the closest stair. Von Geldrecht and von Volgen were ahead of them,climbinginuneasysilence.ThestewardwasmetatthetopbyCaptainHultzofthehandgunners.

"Allquiet,mylord,"hesaid,saluting.

"Ihopeso,"saidvonGeldrechtandsteppedpasthimwithvonVolgentolookoverthebattlements.

FelixandKatfoundaspotafewpaces to their left justas thesloopwaspassingthroughthewatergate.UnnervedbyGotrek'swarnings, Felix half-expected huge jaws ormonstrous tentacleswouldriseoutofthewavesanddragitunder,butnothingofthesorthappened.Thewaterswereundisturbedbutforthesloop'sbowwave,andthoughitspassagewasprovokingmovementamongstthezombieson theshore, theydidn'tappear tobeany threat.Thecorpsesshuffledclumsily in itsdirection likeironshavingsbeingpulleduponbytheinfluenceofalodestone,crowdingtheriverbankandpawing

limplyattheairasitpassed,butthatwasall.

VonGeldrecht laughedandslapped thewall. "Yousee?Theycandonothing!"Forbidding laughterwaftedtothemonthewind,aneerieechoofvonGeldrecht'slaugh.

Felix'sheartclenched,forheknewthatlaugh.ItwasHanstheHermit--orHeinrichKemmler,ifFatherUlframwascorrect.Felixlookedaround,sweepingthehordeofzombieswithhiseyes,butitwasKatwhospottedhimfirst.

"There!"shesaid,thrustingoutafingerassheliftedherbowoffherback.

Felix followedher gaze.Ahundredyards downstream, a spindly figure in dirty robes, so like thearmyofcorpseshehadraisedthathewasnearlyimpossibletopickout,wasmovingfromthebankonto a half-submerged outcropping of rocks and waving after the retreating sloop as it angledtowardstheoppositeshore.

QuickerthanFelixcouldfollow,KathadanarrowonthestringandlooseditinKemmler'sdirection.Itwentwide,butonlyjust.Shenockedanotherandfiredagain.

Thearrowseemedtocurveawayfromthenecromancerasitreachedhim.

"Fireatwill,lads!"calledHultz,ashisgunnersraisedtheirweapons.

"Yes!"shoutedvonGeldrecht."Killhim!Ahundredcrownstothemanwhobringshimdown!"

ButasthegunnerssighteddownatKemmler,itbecameclearthatthenecromancer'sarm-wavingwasnotmeremadness.Shadowsblossomedaroundhim,billowingfromhisdirtycloaktosurroundhiminunnaturaldarknessuntilhevanishedinafloatingsmudgeofsmoke.

Thegunsthundered,splinteringtherocksaroundwhereKemmlerstoodandsendingupsplashesintheshallows.Hadtheymissed?Katcertainlydidnot.Herthirdarrowlancedstraightthroughtheheartofthesmoke,preciselywhereKemmlerhadbeenstanding,buttoFelix'sdismay,itmetnoresistance,andstuckquiveringinthegroundbeyond.

69

Thedarknessdissipatedagain, revealingnothingbut empty rocks.Felixheardmen runningup thestairs behind him, drawn to thewalls by the firing.He didn't turn.Hewas too busy searching thehordeforKemmler.

"Where'shegone?"criedvonGeldrecht."Findhim!"

"Theboat,"croakedvonVolgen,pointing.

FelixandKat lookedtowardsYaekel'ssloopasspearmenandgreatswordscrowdedthebattlementsoneithersideofthem.Aswirlofshadow,almostimpossibletoseeinthedarkershadowofthesails,was coalescing behind the sloop's pilot. No one had seen it yet. Zeismann's spearmen were stillfollowinghisordersandwatchingthewaves.Thecrewwereattheirduties.

"Thenecromancer!"shoutedoneofHultz'shandgunners."Warebehindyou,boys!"

Thecrowdthatnowthrongedthewallsjoinedhim,allwavingandshoutingatonce,butthedistancewastoogreat.Themenonthesloopstaredbackatthem,uncomprehending,asthedarknessclottedbehindthemandbecameopaque.

Finally,oneofthespearmen--wasitZeismann?Itwashardtotellsofaraway--

turnedtocalltosomeone,andfrozeashesawthepatchofmistyblacknessthatwasspreadingacrosstheaftdeck.

ThoughFelixheardnothing,Zeismannmusthaveshouted,forallatoncetheotherspearmenwhippedaround,andthecrewturnedandliftedtheirheads.

What followed seemed somehow more horrible to Felix because it played out in the silence ofdistance--a sad, sickeningpantomime thatheandKatand theotherson thewallwerepowerless tostop.

Asthepilotfledbeforethespreadingcloud,Zeismannandhisspearmencrepttowardsitcautiouslyfromallsides,spearsextended.Theriverwardensclosedfromallcornersoftheship,brandishingcutlassesandboardingpikes.AflashofredhairshowedFelixthatYaekelwasattheirhead,apairofpistolsattheready.

Then, as Zeismann prodded nervously into the churning dark with his spear-tip, black tendrils ofwrithingsmokeshotoutfromitscentreinalldirectionsatonce,impalingthespearmenthroughtheirbreastplatesandbringingthemupontheirtoesinaparalysingrictus.

Thecrowdonthewallgasped.

Katcriedout."Zeismann!No!"

Yaekelandhiscrewdrewbackinterrorastheshadowystrandsreeledthespearmencloserandcloserto the spreading cloud while they squirmed like worms on hooks. Zeismann, with seeminglysuperhumanwillpower, stabbed convulsively into the dark as it drewhim into its embrace, but hisattacksdidnothing,andhevanishedwiththerest.

FelixtorehisgazefromthehorrorandsteppedtovonGeldrechtandvonVolgen.

"Lordsteward!"hesaid."Sendtheotherboat.Letusonit!Wemustsavethem!"

"Aye,mylord,"saidHultz."Somethingmustbedone!"Theothersonthewallechoedhim,beggingtobesenttotherescue,butvonGeldrechtshookhishead,hiseyesneverleavingthesloop."It'stoolate.Toolate."

"Notforvengeance!"saidKat."Letusgo.Wewillkillthenecromancerforthedeathsofyourmen."

70

"Aye!" said a spearman who had stayed behind. "Zeismann must be avenged." The steward didn't

answer, but vonVolgen coughed. "I'm afraid the lord steward is right," he said. "Wemust not bedrawn.Therescuerswillonlydieandthecastlewillloseitssecondboat."

Felixgroaned,and theotherscursedas they turnedback towatchagain.The lordwasundoubtedlyright,butitwashardtoswallow.

Withnooneatthewheel,thesloop'srudderfloppedfree,anditturnedwiththecurrent,itssailslooseandsnapping.Beneaththem,Yaekel,withmorebraverythanFelixexpectedofhim,waswavinghiscrewbackandadvancingontheblackcloudalone.Thedarknessnowcoveredalloftheaftdeckandwas curling down into the waist like a heavy ground fog. He aimed his pistols at it and shoutedsomething,butclearlydidn'tgettheresponsehe'dhopedfor,forheshoutedagain.

AfigureemergedfromthepallandYaekeljumpedback,frightened,butthen,asitcameintothelight,itwasrevealedasaspearman,staggeringlikeadrunk,hisspearclutchedinhishands.Yaekelspokeagain, but this time seemingly in relief, and stepped forwards, lowering his pistols.The spearmanstabbedhiminthechest,buryinghisspearpointbetweenhisribs.

TheriverwardenscriedoutasYaekelfell,andthedistantpopsofpistolscarriedacrossthewaterastheyfiredathiskiller.Thespearmantwitchedinthevolleyoflead,butdidnotfall,onlyjerkedhisspearfreeofYaekelandstumbleddowntothewaist.Morespearmenfollowedhimoutoftheblackmist,allwiththesamelurchinggait,andfellupontheriverwardenswithungainlysavagery.

"Notourlads,"murmuredthespearmanwhohadspokenbefore."Notthecaptain."

Thecrewfoughtvaliantly,buttheoutcomewasinevitable.Onlysecondsafterhisdeath,Yaekelroseagainandturnedtojointhespearmenastheytoreathiserstwhilemen.Andmoreandmoreof theriverwardensfollowedhim--fallingastheirgutswerepiercedbyspears,onlytoriseagainalmostinstantly,lifelessslavestoKemmler'swill,andleavingthelivingswiftlyoutnumbered.

Then, as the slaughter came to its grisly conclusion, the black cloud vanished from the deck andreappearedontheshoreat theedgeof thezombiehorde,dissipatingtorevealKemmler,whoonceagainlaughedandwavedtothesloop.Inresponse,thenewlyrisenzombiesturnedandstaggeredtothegunwales,thentoppledintothewateroneaftertheotheruntiltherewerenoneleftonboard,andthesloopdriftedawaydowntheriver,unmanned.

"Andthat'sthat,then,"saidahandgunner,staringhollow-eyed."Goodmendeadanddrownedbythehandofthatfilthygrave-robber.MayMorrwatchoverthem."Butthatwasn'tit,forasFelix,Katandtheotherswatched,therewasachurningintheshallowsnearwhereKemmlerstoodontheshore,andaclusterofhelmedheadsandarmouredshouldersbroke thewaves, streamingwaterandblood. Inonesandtwos,thespearmenandriverwardensfromtheslooproseupandwalkedoutoftheriver,thenshambledpastKemmlertomergewiththeendlessanonymityoftheten-thousand-stronghordeasthenecromancer'slaughteragaindriftedtothecastleonthewind.

Katturnedherhead."Poorbastards.PoorZeismann."

"Aye,"saidFelix,glaringatvonGeldrecht."Damnedshort-sightedfool."71

ThestewardstoodbesidevonVolgen,staringblanklyaftertherecedingsloop.

Themenaroundthemworethesameexpression,asifallhopehadbeenpulledoutoftheminasingleinstant.

Suddenly,Draeger, the free-company captain, turnedonvonGeldrecht, his eyes blazingwith fury."Thatbastard,y'trappedus!Wecould'vegotoutyesterdaybutyouwouldn't! Ifwealldiehere, I'mhangingit'roundyourneck!It'syouwho'vekilledus,andnobody--"

VonGeldrechtslappedhimacrosstheface."Pullyourselftogether,captain!"hesnapped."OrI'llhaveyouinthegaol!Thereisnoroomforsuchanoutbursthere."Draegerballedhisfistsasthemenonthewallheldtheirbreath,butatlastDraegerjustturnedonhisheelandstalkedoff.

VonGeldrechtglaredafterhim,thenseemedtorememberhewassupposedtobethecommander,anddrewhimselfup."Backtoyourduties!"hesaid."Backtoyourposts!Ifyouwantvengeanceforthisterribleloss,thenshoreupourdefences.

Sharpenyourweapons,buildthehoardings,carryshotandpowdertothewallssothattheyaretherewhenourgunnersneedthem.Thereisnoneedtogototheenemy.

Theenemywillcometous,andwhentheydo,wewillmakethempaytenfoldforwhattheyhavedonetoday!"

Themencheeredthisspeechandbrokeupinbetterspirits,butastheyfiledpastFelixandKattowardsthestairs,Felixheardsomegrumblingaswell.

"IfIwantedvengeance,"mutteredaspearman,"I'dbasteyeinbutterandsend

yououttoforage,y'fathamhock."

"Two captains dead," said another, "and nothing to show for it. Nothing.Go back to the countinghouse,Goldie."

"Mylordsteward,"saidvonVolgen,asthelastofthemleftthewalls."IfImightmakeasuggestion?"

VonGeldrechtstiffened."Whatisit?"

Von Volgen nodded towards the river gate. "We have seen now that zombies don't drown. I amthereforeconcerned that theremightbeagapbetween thebottomof the latticedoorsand theriverbed.Ifthecorpsesweretofindit..."VonGeldrechtpaled.Helookedoverwhelmed."Goodthinking,"hemurmured.

"Thankyou.Iwillaskifasolutioncanbe--Ack!"

VonGeldrechtduckedandflinchedassomethingswoopedoutof theskyandsqueakedandflappedaroundhishead.VonVolgendrewhisswordandKathadanarrowonthestringinaninstant,butwhatflutteredaroundthesteward'sheadwasnotabat,butthestrangestbirdFelixhadeverseen.Itlookedsomethinglikeapigeon,witharoundbodyandsmoothhead,butitsfeathersglintedlikemetalanditwhirredandclickedlikeanangryinsect.

"Hold!"criedvonGeldrecht,wavingKatdown."Itisamessengerpigeon."Katheldfire,butkepther

bowathalf-draw,staringasvonGeldrechtraisedhisarmandthethingsettledonhiswrist.

"It...itisamachine,"shesaid,wonderingly.

Felixstaredtoo.Nowthatitwasstandingstill,hecouldseethatitwasindeedmechanical.Thewingsweremadeofsteelandbrass,thelegsandclawshingedwithscrews,andtheeyesmadefromglasslenses.Heshookhishead.Hedidn'tremember72

theEmpirehavinganythinglikethisbeforehehadleftitforpartseast.Engineeringhadcomealongway in twentyyears.VonGeldrecht twisted thecapoff theendofabrass tubeaffixed to thebird'schestandwithdrewfromitatwistofpaper.Heuncurleditwithnervousfingersandpeeredatit.

"FromAltdorf,mylord?"askedvonVolgen.

VonGeldrechtnoddedandletoutasigh,thoughFelixcouldn't tell if itwasoneofrelieforworry."Yes,"hesaid."TheReiksguardarecoming,andasmanystate troopsas theycanrecruitalongtheway.GrafReiklander'sson,MasterDominic,isreturningwiththem.Theyleftlateyesterday."

"PraiseSigmar,"saidvonVolgen.

"Aye,"saidvonGeldrecht,hiseyesdistant.Hecrumpledthepaper."Andprayhisdeliveranceisn'ttoolate."

73

NINETherestofthedaywashardlabour,withnooneexempt.Eventheknightsworked,fallinginbesidethehandgunners,spearmenandartillerymentoproofthecastleasbesttheycouldagainsttheundead.DirectedbyReikguard'smastercarpenter,AndersBierlitz,halfthegarrisoncut,nailedtogetherandfit wooden hoardings to the tops of the walls, while nearly as many worked just as furiouslydismantlingthestables,thepriviesandwhateverotherwoodenstructurescouldbespared,inordertoprovideusablewoodforthebuilderstobuildwith.

Gotrek,RodiandSnorri,meanwhile,settodismantlingtheofficers'residenceforitsstone.Therehadbeenmuchargumentearlieraboutthebestwaytopreventthezombiesfromcrawlingunderthewatergate,withsomewantingtosinktheremainingriverboatinfrontofit,andotherswantingtodrivethegatesdownintothemudoftheriverbottom,butatlastitwasdecidedthatthesurestplanwastopileupheavystonesbelowthegatestoplugthegap.Unfortunately,thecastlewasn'taquarry,andtakingthemfromtheexteriorwallswasobviouslynotanoption.Andsoalldaytheslayersusedhammers,chisels and their bare hands to dismantle the corner tower of the officers' residence from top tobottom and tumble the stones down to river wardens, who then winched them onto oarboats androwedthemtheshortdistancetothegatetodumpthemoverthesideasclosetotheirondoorsastheycouldmanage.

FelixandKat,beingneithercapablecarpentersnorstonemasons,went toworkwith thedemolitiongangs, andpried apart theweatheredplanksof thehayloft thenpulledout everynail that couldbesalvaged.Evenonafreezinglatewinterday,itwashot,dustywork,andtheyweresoonworkingintheirshirts,steamrisingfromtheirshouldersintothechillyair.

Ordinarily,thiskindoflabourwouldnothavewornFelixout.Yearsofwanderingandfightinghadlefthim ingoodshape,andhewasused tohardship,buteven the toughestmancouldnotgo longwithoutwater,andtherewasn'tnearlyenoughtogoaround.Everyvatandpanandpotinthekitchenwasbusyboilingwaterfordrinking,buttheprocesswasn'tquick,andtherationingwassevere.Everymangota ladleful togowith theirsinglebiscuit in themorning,andanother in theafternoon,andsome got less than that. Both times the crews were called to the mess, the water ran out beforeeveryonegottheirshare.

Gotrek,RodiandSnorrineverdrank,thoughwhetherthatwasbecausetheydidn'tneedto,oroutofsheerstubbornness,orjustbecauseitwasn'tbeer,Felixwasn'tcertain.Regardless,theyeachdidtheworkoftenmen,andnevercomplainedorshowedanysignofweakness.

The samecouldnotbe said for themen.Therewere fights at thewaterbarrelwhen some tried todrinkmorethantheirshare.Otherspassedoutorvomitedfrom74

dryness. Felix was nearly one of them. By the late afternoon, he was staggering, and almost fellthroughaholeinthefloorhewaspryingup.OnlyaswiftgrabbyKatstoppedhimfrombreakinghisneck.Hungerandthirstweren'tentirelytoblame,however.Partofhisclumsinessstemmedfromhisinabilitytokeephismindonthework.Hecouldn'tstopwonderingwhothesaboteurwas.

Alldaylonghewatchedhisfellowdefenders,wonderingwhichonehidthepowertoshatteradwarfrune--whichwasinleaguewithKemmler.WasitTauber,likeBosendorferbelieved?Thatwouldbe

tidy,forTauberwasalreadylockedup,butsomehowFelixdoubtedthecastlewasthatlucky.Butthenwho? It couldn't be anybodywho had travelledwith vonVolgen, since the runes had been brokenbeforehisforcearrived.WasitvonGeldrecht?HadheorderedthegarrisontoholdthecastlejustsoKemmlercouldkillthemallandswellhisrankswiththeircorpses?

WasitBosendorfer,sowingdiscordbyaccusingothersofcrimeshehimselfwascommitting?WasitFather Ulfram?Was his blindness and seeming senility a cover for corrupt power?Was it SisterWillentrude,hidinganevilnaturebehindakindlysmile?WasitperhapsGrafReiklanderhimself,ortheGrafinAvelein,hidinginthekeepandmanipulatingtherestofthecastleforKemmler'sgain?

Butwhydidithavetobeoneof theleaders?Itcouldbeanyone--aknight,aspearman,agroom,ascullerymaid.Thereweretoomanychoices,andtoolittletogoon.Itwasmaddening.

AtleastvonGeldrechtwasfollowingthroughonhispromisetotakethenecessarysteps.Asthedayworeon,Felixsawhimquietlypullasideeachofhisremainingofficersandwhisper in theirears,afterwhichthoseofficersbegantolooksuspiciouslyaroundat theircomrades.FelixsupposedthatremovedvonGeldrechtfromthelistofsuspects,butperhapsnot.Whatifhewastellinghismentolookforthetraitorinordertothrowthemoffthescent,ortocreatesuspicionthatwouldweakenthemoraleofthecastle?

Felixcursedashismindcurledinonitselfagain,andforcedhimselftogetbacktothetaskathand.Ceaselesssuspicionwouldnotfindthesaboteur.Whattheyneededwasproof,butFelixhadnoideawhattolookfor.

Lessthanathirdofthehoardingswereinplacebythetimethesunvanishedcompletely.Thetowersofthegatehouseandthesectionsofwalltotherightandleftofithadbeencovered,butthatwasall.Felix,withlittleknowledgeofthesethings,thoughtitwasapoorshowing,andtheslayersgrumbledabout"manling laziness",butBierlitz, thecastle'scarpenter,seemedwellpleased,saying thatgiventhelackoffoodandwaterthemenhadaccomplishedmorethanheexpected.

Nordidtheconstructionstopwiththecomingofdarkness.AfterBierlitzdismissedFelixandKatandtherestofthemenwhohadworkedallday,hecommandeeredmenfromthenightwatchestokeepatit,andtheslayersofcoursecontinuedwithoutabreak.

Felixleftthemtoit,andstumbledwithKatintotheunderkeepasthemessbellclanged.Itwastimeforanotherbiscuit.

75

"ToCaptainZeismannandallourfallenbrothers,"saidayoungsergeantofspearmen,standingandholdinguphismug. "He'dnot relishbeing toastedwithwater, but untilwehavebeer again, let ushonourhimaswecan."Therestofthespearmenstoodfromtheirtablesinthemessandraisedtheirmugsaswell,andKat,Felixandtheothermenintheroomjoinedthem.

"ToCaptainZeismannandthespearmen,"saidthecrowd,andeveryoneknockedbacktheirmeagrerationofwaterinasingleslug.

Astheyallsatagain,aburlyriverwardenstoodfromamonghiscomradesandraisedanemptyhand.

"Andasthatwasalltodrinktillmorning,"hesaid,"IaskthatyousaluteCaptainYaekelandhiscrewwithapledge."Heclosedhishandintoafist.

"Vengeance!"

Thewholeroomraisedtheirfists,andthewallsechoedwiththeirpledge.

"Vengeance!"

Thewardeninclinedhisheadandsatagain,butbeforeeveryonecouldlowertheirfists,Bosendorfersprangupontothetablewherehehadsatwithhisgreatswords.

"Iaskapledgeaswell,"hecried."InthenameofgreatswordsJanusMeierandAbelRoos,andthescoreofothermenwhodiedlastnightandtodayfromthepoisonedwoundsthatmurderedthemintheirbeds."

Heraisedhisfistintheairandtheroomfollowedsuit,withmanya"hearhear"and"wellsaid".

"Deathto thepoisoner,"saidBosendorfer."Death toSurgeonTauber."FelixandKatpausedat that,andtheyweren'ttheonlyones.Thoughmanyofthemenjoinedinwholeheartedly,justasmanyweremurmuringandloweringtheirfistsinsteadofmakingthepledge.EvensomeofBosendorfer'sownmenlookeduncomfortable.

Bosendorferglaredaround,hiseyesblazing."What is this?WillyounothonourmyfallenmenasyouhonourZeismannandYaekel?"

CaptainHultzstoodfromhishandgunners."Withawill,captain,ifyouchooseadifferentpledge,"hesaid.

Bosendorfersneered."Youdonotwishthedeathofourenemies,Hultz?"

"We don't all think it was Tauber who done it," said Hultz. "Choose another enemy and we willpledge."

"Sigmar'shammer,Iwillnot!"shoutedBosendorfer."IwillhonourmydeadasIseefit,andifyouwill not joinme, then be damnedwith you!"Men stood all over the hall now, choosing sides andshoutingateachother,asBosendorfercontinuedtorave.

FelixshookhisheadandleanedtoVolk,whosetableheandKatweresharing.

"WhydoeshehateTauberso?IrememberhespokeofTaubermurderingpeopleduringthefightingup north.Was the surgeon accused of worshipping Chaos?" Volk shook his head sadly. "Only byBosendorfer," he said, then sighed. "When we marched north, the boy was only a sergeant. HisbrotherKarlwasthecaptainofm'lord'sgreatswords.Butattheend,duringthebattleofSokh,oneofthemNorseshamenblastedourwholeleftflankwithpurplefire,andafterwards,someofthemen...well, theystarted tochange.Bosendorfer'sbrotherwasoneof 'em.Hishands--theygrewteeth,andotherthings."

76

Theartillerycaptainswallowed,thenwenton."Itwasstandardprocedurewhenthathappened,tokillthemanonthespot--forhisowngood,youunderstand--andCaptainKarlwasinthesicktentwithabrokenarmwhenhestartedtoshow,so--"

"SoTauberdidit?"askedFelix.

Volk nodded. "As gentle as possible. Laudanum, then poison. He just... fell asleep. But youngBosendorferwouldn'tbelieveit.HeclaimeditwasTauberwhohadmadehisbrother'schangescome,and that he'd killedKarlwhen hewouldn't pledge to the Ruinous Powers."He looked over at thegreatswords' table. "GrafReiklander himself talked toBosendorfer, andgot him to agree itwasn'ttrue.GavehimKarl'scommissiontoo,whichmightnothavebeenwise,asBosendorferain'tthemanhisbrotherwas,notbyalongshot,butitwasanicegesture,andthegreatswordsappreciatedit,so..."

"ButBosendorferdoesn'tseemtohavereallybelievedTauberwasinnocent,"saidFelix.

Volk shook his head. "He's kept quiet about it till now, but no." Felix watched as Bosendorfercontinuedtorant.Hecouldseethegriefbehindtheyoungman'swildangernow,andfeltsorryforhim,butonecouldfeelsorryforasavagedogthathadbeenabused,andstillnotwanttobetrappedinthesameroomwithitfordays--orweeks.

HefinishedhislastfewcrumbsofbiscuitandturnedtoKat."Shallwe?"Shenodded,glaringatthegreatswordcaptain."Aye,Felix,"shesaid."I'mstartingtogetanearache."

Theywalkedoutoftheunderkeepandintothecourtyardwhere,undertheyellowlightofflickeringlanterns,Gotrek,RodiandSnorricontinuedtoknockaparttheofficers'residence,whiletheboatmendumpedanotherloadofbuildingstoneattherivergate,andthecarpentersandthemenfromthenightwatcheskeptonframingthehoardingsandcarryingthemuptothewalls.

Katlookedatalltheirindustry,thenshookherhead."Noneofthisisgoingtomatter,isit?Wewon'tstopthem."

"Notforlong,"saidFelix."Butmaybelongenough."

Acoldwindwhistleddownovertheparapet,bringingwithitthestenchofcorpsesandthehowlingofwolves.FelixshiveredandputhisarmaroundKat,andtheyhurriedintotheknights'residenceanduptotheirborrowedroom.Bythetimetheyhadpulledtheirbootsoffandlaydownonthenarrowbed,theyweretootiredandhungrytodomorethancurltogetherandclosetheireyes.

Secondslater--orsoitseemed--Felixwasjerkedawakebyshoutingandcursingandheavybootstepsshakingtheresidencebuilding.

Katcameawaketoo,andblearilyreachedforherweapons."That'sonthefloorbelow,"shemumbled."What'sgoingon?"

Felixcrawledtothewindowandlookedout.Itwasstillnight,andhecouldseelittlebuttheshadowsofmenrunningtothedooroftheirresidenceandgoingin.

Threeslower,heaviershadowsfollowedthem,walkingalongwiththeirweaponsout.

Felixgrunted."We'dbettergodown."

77

He threwonhispadded jackandsquirmed intohischainmailasKatpulledonher leathersand theshoutingcontinued.Whentheywereready, theyhurrieddowntothegroundfloor,but theshoutingwasnowcomingfromthecellar,sotheycontinueddownand,afterfollowingthecacophonythroughaseriesofcrampedstonepassages,cameatlasttoasmallroundroomthatwasfilledwithajumbleofmachinery,andfartoomanyshoutingmen.

Theroomappearedtobethebaseofoneofthecirculartowersthatroseatthecornersofthecastlewalls,andagreatbrassandironcontraptionofgearsandleversandpistonsthathadaverydwarfishlooktoitroseinthecentreofit.Italsolookedverybroken,withoneofthemaingearscrackedinhalf,andapistonrupturedandbent.

CoweringintheleeofthemachinewereCaptainDraegerandhismilitiamen,whilesurroundingthemwerevonGeldrecht,hisbulkwrappedinanightshirtandbrocaderobe,vonVolgen,andacrowdofknightsandfootsoldiers,allholding lanternsand torchesandshoutingquestionswhile theslayerswatchedfromoneside,theirbrawnyarmsfoldedacrosstheirbeards.

"Isweartoyou,m'lord,"Draegerwassaying."Itwasn'tus!Weheardsomethingsuspiciousandcamelooking,andfoundsomeonetamperingwithit.Sigmarbemywitnessit'sthetruth."

VonGeldrecht laughed,and thenwavedahandforquiet."So,youheardsomethingsuspicious,didyou?"

"That'sright,m'lord,"saidDraeger."Wokeusup.And--"

"Youwere sleeping in the underkeep and heard something suspicious in the cellar of the knights'residencesonthefarsideofthecourtyard,"continuedvonGeldrecht.

"Well,m'lord..."

Thestewardbargedon."Andso,youdecidedyouwouldinvestigatethisnoise,withallyourmen?"

Theknightsandfootsoldiersalllaughedatthis.EvenvonVolgenallowedhimselfaflatsmile.

"Er,well,"stammeredDraeger,sweatingnow."Iknowitseemsstrangeonthefaceofit,m'lord,but--"

"Itseemstraitorousonthefaceofit!"bellowedvonGeldrecht."BySigmar,captain,ifyou'vedonewhat I think you've done here, youwill diewhere you stand."Draeger cringed back. "No,m'lord.Honest.Wenevertouchedit.Itwasthemanwefoundtinkeringwithit.Hewreckedit!"

VonGeldrechtrolledhiseyes."Onemanwreckedthis?Don'tlietome,captain.

Youhavecommittedthissabotage,andyouwillpayforitwithyourlife."

"Butwehaven't!"criedDraeger."Isweartoyou!"

"Thenwhydidyoucomehere?"askedvonGeldrecht, thensneered."Anddon't tellmeyouheardanoise."

Draegerloweredhisheadandslantedalooktohismen,thensighed."We...wewaslookingforawayout.Asecretpassage,like."

VonGeldrechtstared.Someoneinthebacklaughed.

"Youweretryingtoescape,"saidvonGeldrecht.

78

"Aye,m'lord,"saidDraeger,hischingoingupwithsuddendefiance."Wetoldyoufromthefirstwewasalreadydemobbed.Thisain'tourfight.We'refreemen."Thatbroughtanotherroundoflaughter,andacombinedsnortfromtheslayers.

"Kill the lot," saidGotrek,disgusted. "Wedon'tneedcowards."VonGeldrecht inclinedhishead tohim."Would thatwehadthe luxury tochoosewhofoughtbesideus,herrdwarf.Butalas, itcannotbe."HeturnedbacktoDraeger.

"No,yourpunishment,captain,istofightforyourlifewiththerestofus."Hesnappedhisfingersattheyoungsergeantofspearmenwhohad toastedZeismannearlier in themess."SergeantAbelung,lockthesemenup.Theyareonlytobeletouttofight,yes?"

"Aye,mylord,"saidthesergeant.

Butashebegantoherdthemtowardstheexit,vonVolgenlookedDraegerintheeye.

"Onequestion,captain,"hesaid."Themanwhowastinkeringwiththemachine.

Washeanotherlie?"

Draegershookhishead,glum."No,m'lord.Wesawhim,rightenough."

"Andwhatdidhelooklike?"askedvonVolgen.

Draeger frowned. "I didn't get a good look, m'lord. He wore a robe. Covered him head to toe.Couldn'tseehisface,oranythingabouthim.Notabigman,though,andwentlikearabbit."

VonVolgennoddedand steppedback, andSergeantAbelung led themilitiamen to thedoor, but astheyfiledout, therewererunningfootsteps in thepassagebeyond,andahandgunnersqueezedpastthemintotheroom.

"Mylord,"hesaid,pantingashecrossedtovonGeldrecht."Itisasyoufeared.

Thedikelockshavebeenclosedandthemoatisdry.Thezombieshavealreadycrossedit,andareatthewalls."

VonGeldrechtcursedasthecrowdofsoldiersandknightsmurmuredindismayandbegantohurry

out."Anduntilthelockmechanismisrepaired,"hesaid,lookingatthewreckedmachinewithasigh,"wecannotflooditagain.Oursaboteurisverythorough."

VonVolgen turned to theslayers."Canyoufix this,dwarfs?"Gotreksteppedforwards,shakinghishead."Thesamehandthatshatteredtherunesshatteredthis."Hepointedtoaholeinthesideofthecrumpled piston. Itwas in the rough shape of a hand, and the steel all around itwas cracked andbrittle--

morelikeglassthanmetal.Gotrekpokeditwithhisfinger.Itshatteredandfellaway.

"Itwouldtakeateamofdwarfswithaproperforgeamonthtoreplacealltheseparts,"saidRodi.

"Snorriwouldguesstwomonths,"saidSnorri.

VonGeldrechtgroaned."Thewalls,themoat.Thevillainispeelingawayourdefenceslikeanonion.Hemustbefoundand--"

Gotrekheldupahand,cuttinghimoff,andcockedhishead.

VonGeldrechtlookedaround,nervous."Whatisit?"

"Quiet," said theSlayer, thencrossed to thewallof the round roomandputhisear to it.RodiandSnorrididthesame.FelixandKatexchangedapuzzledglancewithvonGeldrechtandvonVolgen.

79

Afteramoment,GotrekliftedhisearfromthewallandturnedtovonGeldrecht.

"Thereisdiggingbeingdone,"hesaid."Somewherebeyondthiswall."VonGeldrecht'seyeswidened."Digging?Butwhatfor?"Rodisnorted."Maybethecorpsesareplantingagarden."Snorrifrowned."Snorridoesn'tthinkthat'slikely,RodiBalkisson,"hesaid.

"Snorrithinksthey'regoingtosapthewalls."

80

TEN"Soclose,"saidvonGeldrecht,clutchinghisrobetighteraroundhim."Andyetsofaraway."

Felix andKat stoodwith the steward and vonVolgen and the slayers onCastleReikguard'swind-whippedbattlements,staringoutatthestone-flanked,oak-dooredcanal-lockdikethatgleameddullyinthelightof thetwomoonsaboutfiftyyardsupstreamfromthecastle'seasternmostcorner.Untillessthananhourago,thelockcouldbeopenedtolettheriverspillintothemoat,andclosedtoallowforcleaningandrepairs.Now,withthedestructionofthelockmechanism,thesaboteurhadcloseditpermanently, leaving the moat dry, and the sea of zombies which the moat had kept at bay nowreachedallthewaytothecastle,pawingfutilelyatthehugegraniteblocksofthesturdywalls.

VonGeldrechtsighedandshivered,thenturnedtotheslayers."Andwhereisthisdigging?"Theyledhimbackalongthewallandpointedoutanddown.Felix,Kat,vonVolgenandthestewardleanedasfarastheycouldoverthewall,peeringintothenight.Felixcouldn'tseeanythingbutzombies.

VonGeldrechtshookhishead."Istilldon'tsee."

"Snorrithinkshumanshaveterribleeyesight,"saidSnorri.

"Theyareinthemoat,"growledGotrek."Diggingintotheinnerbank,straightforyourwalls."

Felix looked again and finally, behind the shifting jumble of zombies that pawed at the walls, hethoughthesawmovementinthechannel.

VonGeldrechtgroaned."Ifonlywecouldopenthedikeagain,wecoulddrownthemout."

"Youcouldn't,mylord,"saidvonVolgen."Ifyourecall,zombiesdon'tbreathe."

"Andyoudon'twanttoopenthedikeagainuntilthatholeisfilledin,"saidRodi.

"Oryou'llhaveyourmoatinyourcellar."

"Snorrithinksthatwouldbringdownyourwallsfasterthanthezombiescould,"saidSnorri.

VonGeldrechtcursedandstruckthewallwithhisfist."Sohowarewetostopthem?Wecan'tsendmenouttothedigging.They'llbeoverwhelmedbeforetheygetthere."

"Wedigtothem,"saidGotrek."Thenminetheirtunnelandcollapseitbeforeitreachesthewalls."

VonGeldrechtstaredathim."But...butistheretime?"heasked."Howlongwouldittaketodigsuchatunnel?Idon'tknowifIhavemenenoughtosparefromstrengtheningourdefences,noriftheywillhaveenoughstrength."81

Gotrekheldupahand."Tellyourmentofinishblockingtherivergate.We'lldothis.Humanswouldonlygetintheway."

Thestewardletoutasighofreliefandbowedto theSlayer."Thankyou,herrdwarf!Youeasemy

mind.Itwillbeasyousay."

FelixsawvonVolgenwinceatthisunleaderlikedisplayofemotionandlookaway,onlytocatchFelixlooking at him. They exchanged a guarded look, then von Volgen turned and walked off as vonGeldrechtbegangivingorderstohismen.

Thezombiesstartedclimbingthewallslessthananhourlater.

After they left von Geldrecht, Kat and Felix helped Gotrek, Rodi and Snorri search through thecastle'sstoresforpicksandshovels,thencarteddirtawayastheslayersbegandiggingdownintothebasementof thecaptains' residence--whichwas thepoint in thecastleclosest towhere thezombiesweredigging.Butwearinesssoonovercame themagainand theyreturned to their roomto tryandsleepuntilmorning.

Itwasnottobe,however--atleastnotforFelix.

Tiredashewas,Felixcouldnotquiethismind.Draeger'sdescriptionofthesaboteurkeptrepeatinginhishead,andhecouldn'tstopcomparingit tothoseheknewinthecastle.Asmallmaninrobes,Draegerhadsaid.Andquick.Notmuchtogoon,butitdidruleoutquiteanumberofsuspects.Withhiswoundedleg,vonGeldrechtwasneithersmallnorquick.Bosendorferwasagiantofaman,andtheoldpriest,Ulfram,mighthavebeengaunt,buthewastalltoo.HecouldruleoutSisterWillentrudeaswell,whohadthefigureofawell-fedbarnyardhen.Whodidthatleave?Tauberwasasmallman,butTauberwaslockedup--wasn'the?Hultzofthehandgunnerswasnotlargeeither,thoughhewasbroad in the shoulder. It couldhavebeenGrafinAvelein,hidingher sex,oreven thegrafhimself.Felixhadnever seenhim, andhadno ideawhat he looked like.But then,what if thevillainwas amasterofillusionaswellasashattererofrunes?Whatifhissmallsizeandquicknesswereonlyaguise? After toomuch of that, it was almost a relief when the rally horns sounded and confusedshoutingechoedthroughthecourtyard.

This timeFelix andKat hadn't bothered to strip out of their armour before lying down, andwerethereforequick to thewalls tosee thezombies'newtrick.Undercoverofdarkness theundeadhadbrought tall,crudelymade ladders to thecastleand leaned themagainstall the land-sidewalls,andwerenowpullingthemselvesuptowardsthebattlementsindroves.

Thiswasn'tmuch of a threat--at least not on its own.The zombieswere terrible climbers and felloften,andthehandgunnersfounditeasyenoughtouseapiketolevertheladdersawayfromthewallandtopplethemtotheground.Theproblemwas,theyneverstopped.Itdidn'tmatterhowmanytimesthedefenderspushedtheladdersbackandsentallthezombiessmashingintothemoat,theyjustgotupagain,rightedtheladdersandresumedclimbing,single-mindedanduntiring.

Thehandgunnerswerequicklyjoinedbyspearmenandriverwardenssentbytheircaptainstorelievethem,butevenwithreinforcements,themenonthewallswererunragged,hurryingfromladdertoladderinanever-endingfootrace.

Unfortunately, it was even more pointless to try to kill the dead who mounted the ladders, forKemmlerwouldneverrunout.Nomatterhowmanythedefendersmight82

decapitate,orshootthroughthehead,therewouldalwaysbemorezombiestotaketheirplace.

Felix andKat joined in the dizzy dance of run and push, run and push, run and push until the skybegantoturngreyintheeast,whentheywerefinallybothsotiredtheycouldnolongerhandlethepikestheyhadbeengiven,andcollapsedpantingagainstthecrenellations,legsasweakastwigs.

CaptainHultz,who lookedno lessweary than they, took thepikesandshooed themaway."Goandsleep,"hesaid."You'vedonetheworkoftentonight,thebothofyou,andthemorningwatchcomesonanyminute.Away.Away."FelixsalutedandhelpedKatup,andtheystaggereddownthestairs,arminarm,towardstheknights'residence.Butastheystumbledalongthequayside,Katstoppedsuddenlyandblinkedat twoboatmenwhowereusingboathooks tomanoeuvreastonefromthedismantledcaptains'residenceundertheirwinchsotheycouldloweritintoanoarboat.

"Whatisit?"Felixasked,frowning.

"Boathook,"saidKat.

"What?"

Thegirlwasgibberingfromfatigue.

"Justaminute,"shesaid,thenshruggedoutfromunderhisarmandcrossedtothemen.

"Ineedthat,"shesaid,pointing.

Theboatmenlookedatheraskance.

"Thestone?"saidone."Whatd'yewantastonefor?"

"Thehook,"saidKat."Iwantthehook.Andsomerope.Alot."Theboatmenlookedatheragain,andFelixdidtoo.Hehadnoideawhatshewasonabout.Still,itwasclearshe'dhadsomesortofidea.

"Ifyoucanspareit,"hesaidpolitely,tryingtomakeupforKat'salmostdwarfishbrusqueness.

Theboatmanwhohadspokenshrugged,thenwentbackontothesloopandreturnedamomentlaterwithathirdboathookandacoilofrope.

"I'llneedallthisback,mind,"hesaid,butKatwasalreadyhurryingbacktothestairs,tyingtheendoftheropearoundtheT-shapedhandleofthehook.

Felixstumbledupthestairsafterher,stillbaffled,asshefoundHultzandheldoutthehookandropetohim.

"Here,"shesaid,weavingslightlywhereshestood."Thiswillstopthem."Hultzblinked."Andwhatisitsupposedtobe?Aweapon?AmItohookthecorpses'gutsoutwithit?"

"Notthecorpses,"saidKat."Theladders.Theycan'tclimbwithouttheladders."Felixgoggledather.SodidHultz.

"Sigmar,"hesaidatlast."Sigmar,itmightwork."

Hetooktheropedhookfromherandcalledtohismen."Lanzmann,Weitz,SergeantDore,taketheendofthis."

FelixandKatfollowedhimandlookedoutasheletthehookdropdownthewall.

Justtotheirleft,amobofzombieswaslaboriouslyrightingafallenladderandanglingittowardsthebattlements.

83

"Perfect,"saidHultz,andsidesteppeduntilhewasabovethem.

Theladderbouncedasitslappedagainstthewall,justafewfeetbelowthecrenellations,thensteadiedasthefirstofthezombiesstartedtomountit.

"Quicklynow,quicklynow,"Hultzmutteredtohimselfasheflickedthehooktowardstherungsoftheladder."Beforetheyallpileon."Hegotitonthesecondtryandpulledittight."Now,lads,now!"heshouted.

"Haulaway!"

Thethreehandgunnerspulledontheendoftherope,gatheringuptheslack,thenbegantodragtheladderupthewall.Thereweretwozombiesatthebottomofit,butasitstartedtorise,onelostitsgripandfellaway.

Theothercameupwiththeladder,andclungtoitasthegunnersgrabbeditandpulledituphandoverhand.

Hultzwaswaitingforit,andstoveitsheadinwithaflangedmaceasthebottomoftheladderreachedthe top of the wall. The corpse fell away and the handgunners tossed the ladder down into thecourtyardwithacheer.

HultzturnedtoKatwithagrin."Girl,Idobelieveyouhavesavedusawholelotofbother."

"And given us a nice supply of firewood," said one of the gunners. "Nice of that necromancer toprovideforourcookfires."

"Nowallweneedisfood,"saidHultz,thenturnedtohismenagain."Lanzmann,Weitz,gotellthemriverpiratesweneedallthehooksandropetheyhave,andbequickaboutit!"

Astheystartedbacktowardsthestairs,Felixlookedoutoverthewallatthefieldsbeyond.Thesunhadn'tcrestedthehorizonyet,buttherewasenoughlighttoseeallthewaytotheblacklineofforest,andaflurryofseethingmovementtherecaughthiseye.

"Whatisthat?"heasked,slowing.

Katfollowedhisgazeandtheysteppedtothewallforabetterlook.Atall,crookedshapewasrisingfromthemistinfrontofthetrees.Itlookedlikeamummifiedgiant,oranenormouscocoon,whiteand lumpy and asymmetrical,with a huge gapingmouth yawning and black at the top--and itwas

crawlingfromtoptobottomwithaconstantlymovingskeinofzombies.

Withgrowinghorrorandfascination,Felixrealisedthattheywerebuildingthethingashewatched,likewaspsconstructingahive,thoughinsteadofwoodpulpandmud,theywereusingdeadtreesandbones and stretched skin.Angular blackbranches stuckout at random from the structure'smottledsides,anditsbasewasaffixedtogiantcurvedtusksthatlookedliketheyhadcomefromtheskeletonofsomelong-deadleviathan.

"TaalandRhyaprotectus,it'sasiegetower,"saidKat.

Felixshuddered.Thatwaspreciselywhat itwas.Thecurved tuskswereskidsso the thingcouldbedraggedoverthefields,andthehideousyawningmouthatthetopwoulddisgorgeswarmsofundeadtroopsontothewalls.Andanotherwasjustbeginningtorisebesideit.

"Andlookthere!"

84

Katpointedtotheleftofthetowers,wheretwolower,wheeledconstructionscrouchedintheshadowof the forest like monstrous insects--a heavy-timbered trebuchet and a catapult, as strangelyconstructedasthetowers.

"Siegeenginestoo,"saidFelix,hisstomachsinking."They'vebeenbusy."Nooneelseseemedtohavenoticedthethings.Theywerealltooconsumedwiththetaskofhookingorpushingawayladders,butatKatandFelix'swords,themenoneithersideofthemlookeduptoseewhattheyweretalkingabout.

"Sigmar'sblood!"saidone."Lookatthat!"

"CaptainHultz!"criedanother."Thewood!Looktothewood!"Hultzlookedupfromtryingtohookanother ladder and cursed, but then raised his voice to shout down the babble of fear that wasspreadinglikefirealongthewallastherestofthemenbegantonoticethetowersandtheengines.

"Easy,lads!Easy!"hecried."Theyain'tmovingyet.Andplentyoftimetopreparewhentheydo.Keepon them ladders for now andwe'll see to the restwhen they get here."He turned to his sergeant."Dore!MyrespectstoStewardvonGeldrecht,andifhecouldcomehavealook-seewhenhehasamoment."SergeantDoresalutedandtrottedofftothestairs,andFelixsteeredKatafterhim.

"Andwe'dbettertelltheslayers,"hesaid.

The distance Gotrek, Rodi and Snorri had dug overnight was astonishing. They had bored downthrough thefloorof thecaptains' residencecellar toadepthofabouteight feet, then tunnelledeastthroughtheearthunderthecastlewalls,andwerealreadyafewpacesbeyondthem.Asteadystreamof squires and kitchen boys went in and out of the hole, carrying out buckets full of dirt andmounding it up all over the room. Off to one side, Volk, the artillery captain, was directing hisgunnersastheypackedblackpowderintosectionsofclaydrainpipeandaffixedfusestothem.

HegaveagrinandasaluteasKatandFelixloweredthemselvesintothehole.

Felixhadtobendalmostdoubletoenterthetunnel,fortheslayershadshapedittodwarfproportions,

and itwasvery low.A lampwaspegged into thewall at the far end, andhe could seeGotrek andRodi'sbroadmuscledbacksgleaminginitsglowastheyswungtheirpicksat theworkface.Snorriwasalittlebitbehindthem,shovellingthedirtintobucketsforthesquirestotakeaway.

Felixwaspleased to see thatGotrekandRodiwere stillworking sideby sidewithoutgrowlingateachother.Thetrucethathadexistedsincetheyhaddiscoveredthebrokenrunesofwardingseemedtobeholding.Felixonlyhopeditwouldstaythatway.

"Slayers,"hecalled,pickinghiswaydownthetunnel."Kemmler'sundeadarebuildingsiegetowersandsiegeengines.It looksliketheywill trythewallstonight."Gotreknoddedwithoutbreakinghisrhythm. "Wewill reach thecorpses' tunnel soonafter sunset,"he said. "Wewill return to thewallsonce...onceitiscollapsed."Felixfrowned.ItsoundedasifGotrekwasoutofbreath.Thatwasalmostunheardof.Felixhadseenhimfightawholedayandspendhoursdigging throughsolid rockandhardlydomorethanbreathehard,butnowhewasgasping.

"Gotrek?"

TheSlayerclearedhisthroatandspat."I'mfine.Justdust."85

Rodishota lookatGotrekat that,butsaidnothing.Felixswallowed,unnervedbyGotrek's raggedvoiceandRodi'sglance.

"Ah,"hesaid."Dust."Hehesitated,wantingtosaymore,butthenjustnodded.

"Sendwordwhenyou'renearlythrough.We'llreturn."

"Aye,"saidGotrek.

FelixandKatexchangedalookastheymadetheirwaybackoutofthetunnel,butneitherspokewhattheywere thinking.Was it trulydust, orwas it the slivers fromKrell's axedoing their evilwork?CouldthevilespecksreallykillGotrek?Andifso,howlongdidtheSlayerhave?

As Felix and Kat stepped back into the courtyard they saw a very bleary Steward von Geldrechtlimpingdownfromthewallsandstrokinghisbeardwithnervousfingers.

"HultzmusthaveshownhimKemmler'stowers,"saidKat.

Felixnodded.Theman lookedoverwhelmed.His facewasgreyandslack,andhe limpedunseeingthroughthesawhorsesandtimberstacksofthehoardingcrewsasheheadedforthestairstothekeep.Beforehereachedthem,however,SisterWillentrudesawhim,andsteppedfromwhereshehadbeenprayingbeforetheever-burningpyreofthedead.Herhabitandapronwerecoveredinblood,andshelookedlikeshehadn'tsleptsinceFelixhadseenherlast--whichwaslikelytrue.

"Mylordsteward!"shecriedafterhim."IdemandyoureleaseTauberandhisassistants!"

VonGeldrecht turned towards her, blinking like a sleepwalker, as all around him the constructioncrewsraisedtheirheads."Sister?"

"Twenty-twomendiedlastnight,mylord,"shesaid,hereyesflashing."Twenty-twomenthatwould

have livedwith a surgeon's care. I andmy initiates can keepdisease and infection at baywith ourprayers andpurifiedwater, butwe are not adepts of the knife and the needle.We cannot stopmenfromhaemorrhagingtodeath,ordrowningintheirownbile."Sheraisedanaccusingfinger to thesteward."Youhavekilledthesemen,mylord.BylockingSurgeonTauberaway,youdoomedthemtounnecessary--"

VonGeldrechtcaughtthesisterbythearmandstartedtodraghertowardsthekeep,aghastlysmileplasteredtohisface."Letusdiscussthisinprivate,sister,"hehissed."Inprivate!"

Felixsmiledgrimlytohimself.Hehopedshegavehimevenmoreofanearfulinprivate,forshewasright.WhenvonGeldrechthadcavedintoBosendorfer'sthreatsagainstTauber,hehadendangeredthelivesofeverymaninthecastle.IftherewasanyoneotherthanKemmlertoblameforthefixtheywerein,itwasthestewardandthegreatswordcaptain.

Quiteafewofthemeninthecourtyard,however,didn'tseemtoseeitthatway.

They stared after von Geldrecht and SisterWillentrude as Felix and Kat stumbled through them,murmuringamongstthemselves.

"DoestheoldcowthinkTauberwouldsaveus?"scoffedone."Afterhepoisonedalltherest."

"Idon'tknow,"saidanother."IwouldhavediedafterGrimminhagenifnotforhim.Hesavedmyarmandnolie."

86

"Mencanchange,"saidathird."Hewouldn'tbethefirstwhocamebacksouthadifferentmanthanmarchednorth."

"Bosendorfer sayshewasabad'unbeforehewentnorth," said the firstman. "Apoisoner from thestart."

KatshookherheadangrilyassheandFelixenteredtheknights'residence.

"Sometimes,"shesaid,"I thinkwordsaremorepoisonous thanpoison."WhenFelixandKatwokeagainthatafternoon, theyfoundthatKemmler'ssecondsiegetowerandanother trebuchethadbeencompleted at the edgeof thewoods, assembledby the ceaseless, swarming industryof theundead.Moreunnerving,thezombieswhosurroundedthecastlehadlearnedtheirlesson,andwerenolongerthrowingtheirladdersupagainstthewallstohavethemstolenbythedefenders'

hooks.Instead,theyheldfreshladdersattheirsidesandstaredupatthebattlementswithdeadblankeyes--waiting.

Andwhilethedeadwaited, thedefendersscrambledtofinishall their tasksbeforethestormbroke.Menwereleveringapartthelaststonesoftheofficers'

residencetowerandwinchingthemontotheoarboatsfortheirlasttripstothewatergate.Thepowdermonkeyswerelayingoutthepowderandshotbesidethecannonsthatfacedthelandsideofthecastle,andthecarpenterswerecobblingtogetherricketyhoardingsoutofthelastfewscrapsofusablewood

andsendingthemuptothewallstobefittedintoplace.

FelixandKatjoinedthemenonthewalls,musclingthesidesandroofsofthehoardingsintoplace,whilemoreskilledmenmadefinaladjustmentsandnailedthemtogether.Itwasheavy,nervouswork,done with one eye always glancing over the battlements tomake sure the horde hadn't started itsadvance,andFelixthereforejumpedawhilelaterwhenapoliteyoungvoicepipedupbehindhim.

"HerrJaeger?"

KatlookedupasFelixturned.

Adirt-smearedsquirewashoveringneartheworkgang."SlayerGurnisson'scompliments,"hesaid,bowing."Heandtheothersarealmostthroughtothezombies'tunnel."

"Thankyou,"saidFelix."Tellhimwe'recoming."

HeandKatturnedtotheleadcarpenterastheboyscurriedoff.

"Allright?"askedFelix.

"Onyourway,"saidtheman."Andgive'emhell."

ArtilleryCaptainVolkandfourofhismenstoodaroundtheholeinthefloorofthecellar.Eachofthemenheldapipechargeinhisarms,andhadpicks,trowels,evenmetalspoonstuckedthroughtheirbelts,aswellaslinesofmatchcordthatsnakedawaybehindthemliketails,whilemorepipechargeswerepiledattheirfeet.Inthecentreofthem,hunchedoveraspindleuponwhichallthematchcordswere wound, was Volk himself. He grinned when he saw Felix and Kat, his fire-scarred faceforbiddinginthelightofthetinderpotthatglowedathisside.

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"Yourmatesarenearlythrough,"hesaid,steppingasidesotheycouldgettothehole."Canhearthezombies throughthedirtnow--leastwise, theycan. Ican'thearnothing.Toomanyyearsaroundtheguns."

FelixnoddedasKatstarteddowntheladderintothehole."Isthereaplan?"

"Ohaye,"saidVolk."Youandthedwarfspushthemdeadbastardsbacktothemouthoftheirtunnel.Weworkinbehindyouandsetthecharges.Whenwe'reprimedallthewaytothefarend,Icall'fireinthehole'andy'runlikeblazesbacktohere,then..."Hespreadhisfingerswide,eyesdancingwithglee."Boom!Thetunnelcaves,thezombiesaresquashed,thecastleissaved."Felixswungontotheladderandstarteddown."Andwe'llbeabletogetclearintime?"heasked.

"Aye,"saidVolk."Theslayers'veriggedadoorintheirtunnelthat'llclosebehindthemandcutofftheblast.Shouldgoassmoothassilk."Katglaredastheyturnedtogointothelowpassage."ThatwasajinxifeverIheardone,"shemuttered.

"Aye,"saidFelix,andcrossedhisfingers.Hewasn'tnormallyasuperstitiousman,buttherewasnosensetemptingfate.

As they ducked into the tunnel, footsteps clattered down the stairs from above and six spearmenenteredthecellar.

"SergeantAbelungreporting,"hesaid."Stewardsentustohelp.Wheredowego?"

VolkpointedatFelixandKat."Withthem."

Felixlookedthespearmenoverastheyclimbeddowntheladder.Theylookedastiredashefelt,andnowonder.Theyhadbeenworkingalldayonthedefencesaswell.

"Hope thisdoesn't take too long," saidAbelung,hunching into the tunnelafterFelixandKat. "Thezombieswillbecomingoverthetopsoon."

"Ithinkyou'llgetyourfairsharedownhere,"saidFelix.

Astheyallcrouchedalongtowardsthedistantringingofpicksonhardearth,Felixfeltatensioninhischest thathadnothing todowith theprospectof fightingzombies incrampedquarters.Afterawholedayandnightofdigging,wouldGotrek'sproblembeworse?Wouldhebeabletofight?Wouldheretireifhecouldn't?Felixknewtheanswertothat,anditworriedhim.

After passing three lanterns, they saw the slayers in the distance, still swinging away.Now it wasSnorriandRodiattheworkface,andGotrekbehind,shovellingthedirtintoabarrow.Felixeyedhimuneasily,buttohisrelief,theslayer'searlierbreathlessnessseemedtohavepassed.

AboutfivepacesbackfromtheworkfaceFelixandKatcametoastrangearrangementoflogsandropethatFelixsurmisedmustbetheslayers'blastdoor.Asturdylogthatlookedlikeithadoncebeenadockpilingstretchedacross the topof the tunnel,withbothendswellset into thewalls.Hangingfrom it bymeans of heavy ship's cables was a thickwooden door propped open by a spear. ThecontraptionremindedFelixofthesortoftrapahuntermadebyproppingupaheavyrockwithastickandplacingfoodunderit,hopingthatananimalwouldnudgethestickandbringtherockdownonitself.

88

"Nothingcouldpossiblygowronghere,"Felixmuttered,edgingaroundtheprecariousspear.

"Ohno,"agreedKat."Perfectlysafe."

Abelunglaughedlikeacatbeingstrangledasheandhismensqueezedinbehindthem.

Therewasaclinkandclatterof falling stone, andsuddenlya freezing, foetidwindblew inFelix'sface.HeandKatandthespearmenchokedatthesmell.

"That'sdoneit,"saidRodi."We'rethrough."

Tatteredgreyhandswerereaching througharaggedblackhole in theworkfaceandclawingat thedirtfromtheotherside.Notallwerehuman.Somewerethehuge,gnarledclawsofbeastmen.

RodiandSnorriputdowntheirpicksandpickeduptheiraxeandhammerasGotrektossedasidehis

shovelandtookuphisruneaxe.FelixandKatdrewaswell,watchingastheholegotrapidlylarger.

Gotreklookedoverhisshoulder."Staybackandmakesuretheoneswhofalldownstaydown."

The zombies must have heard them talking, or smelled them, for their clawing became suddenlyfrantic,andtherewasamournfulgroaningfromtheothersideoftheworkface.Oneofthespearmenflinchedback.

"Steady,"saidAbelung,lickinghislips.

Ahugeimpactrockedthetunnel,andabeastman'shornedheadsmashedthroughtheworkfaceinanexplosionofdirt,makingabighole.Snorricavedinthebeast-corpse'sskullwithhishammerasRodicutitoffattheknees.Ittoppledforwardsandatideofzombiessurgedthroughtheholetocrawloveritsbackintothenarrowtunnel,groaningandswipingwithclawsandbrokenswords.

Thethreeslayersslammedintothemwithaxe,hammerandshoulder,andquicklydrovethembackintotheirtunnel,thenfollowedthemin.Rodiwasfirst,cuttingdownadeadknightwithoutbreakingstride,thenSnorriandGotrekfollowed,smashingasideabeastandabowman,andvanishedintothedarknessbeyond.

"Right,"saidFelix,takingabreath."Inwego."

HepulledalanternfromahookandsteppedtotheholewithKatwhilethespearmencrepthesitantlyafter.Thezombies'tunnelwasatleastfourtimesaswideastheslayers'narrowone,morethantwiceashigh,andwasfilledwalltowall,forasfarbackasFelixcouldsee,withdeadmenandbeastmen.

Inthelantern'sflickeringlighttheyjumpedintosharpreliefastheyswarmedforwards--avisionoutof a nightmare, their teeth and claws flashing yellow, their shadows raking the walls and ceilingbehindthemastheyattacked.Maggotscrawledfromholesintheirfacesandchests,andfliesbuzzedaroundtheirheads.Theireyeswerewiltedgrapes,andtheirhairandfurwasfallingoutinpatches,whileripsintheirskinshoweddecaying,pus-leakingmeat.Thesmellofthemwaslikeahammertotheface,quiteliterallystaggering.

Katretched,thentiedherscarfoverhernoseandmouthtoblockthesmell.

Behindhersomeofthespearmenwerevomiting,thoughtheyspewedonlywater.

Therewasnothingelseintheirstomachs.

89

Theslayersspreadoutacrossthewidthofthetunnelastheybutcheredtheirwayintotheshamblingthrong,butwithout thewallat theirbacks, thezombies started toedgearound their flanks,and thespearmensawtheirduty.

"Comeon,lads,"Abelungquavered."Fillintheirline."

"Nottooclose,"saidFelix,holdingupahand."Slayerssometimes,ah,forgetthemselvesinbattle."

Abelung's eyes widened. "Much obliged, mein herr. Right then, lads, stay back and keep themspearpointsbusy."

Thespearmensteppedbehindtheslayersandbeganstabbingbetweenthem,findingeyes,necksandknees.FelixandKatcappedtheirlineateitherend,closingoffthespacebetweentheslayersandthesidesof the tunnel,andkilling thezombies that tried toedgearound.Against livingopponents, theflashing spears would have been devastating, crippling and blinding them and making themdefencelessagainsttheslayers'attacks;butevenagainsttheunfeelingdeadtheydidenough,blockingthe zombies' flailing claws and making them stumble, so the slayers never had to worry aboutdefendingthemselves,onlyattacking--sendingwitheredlimbsandheadsandrottingorgansspinningawayfromthemliketheywereredwhirlwinds.

Itwasagloriousslaughter,thoughtFelix,buthowlongcoulditcontinue?Theslayerswouldnevertire,ofcourse,butthespearmenwereasexhaustedasheandKat.Wouldtheyhavethestaminatofightallthewaytotheendofthetunnel?Itlookedlikeitwentbackmorethanfiftyfeet!

The slayers took another stride forwards, their boots sinking ankle-deep in rotting entrails as theytrompedthroughthedismembereddead tosmashanotherrankofgroaningcorpses,andFelix,Katand the spearmenpaced forwardswith them.Amoment later, twoartillerymenducked through thedoor behind them, layingmatchcord along thewalls as theywent, then digging holes close to theceilingofthetunnel.Felixlookedbackandsawthemcastinguneasyglancesattheundeadthrongthatmoanedandflailedonlyyardsawayfromthem,buttheykepttotheirwork,andoncetheyhaddugtheir holes, they wedged the pipe charges into them, spliced thematchcord to them and ran backtowardsthecellarforanotherload.

Theycontinuedinthisfashionforwhatseemedaneternity,Gotrek,RodiandSnorricarvingthroughmore zombies, and Felix,Kat and the spearmen advancing behind them as artillerymen came andwentbehindthem,plantingtheircharges.

Afterawhile,Felixfeltlikehewaspartofaploughbeingdraggedthelengthofafarmer'sfieldbyatrioof scarredoldploughhorses.Theslayerswere tilling theground,while theartillerymen, likebloodthirstyfarmers,weresowingbombsinthefurrow,whichwouldlatersproutintobeautifulredandyellowexplosionsonharvestday.

AgaspfromAbelungsnappedFelixfromhisdeliriousfancy.Theyoungsergeantwasfightingspearto spear with a corpse that had somehow stumbled between Gotrek and Rodi unscathed, and hesuddenlystaggeredback,eyeswide.

"Captain?"hequavered."CaptainZeismann?"

90

ELEVENFelixlookedaroundasAbelung'scomradescriedout.Itwastrue.ThezombieAbelungfoughtwasthe corpse of Captain Zeismann, still recognisable though his ready smile had become a liplessgrimace, and his kindly eyeswere birthingmaggots.Andhe had brought hismenwith him.Theywere pushing through to the front, their spears stabbing erratically at the slayers. Some instinct,perhapsburnedintotheirsinewsthroughtraining,hadkeptthemtogetherandfollowingtheirleader,evenindeath.

"Captain," whimpered Abelung, edging back. "Please, captain, don't--" The zombie that had beenZeismannstabbedforwards,andAbelung,frozenbyshockandgrief,didnotblockintime.Thespearpointglancedoffhisbreastplate,thenskiddedupandpunchedthroughhisthroat.Hecollapsed,wide-eyed,clutchingatZeismann'sspearasbloodbubbledfromhisneck.

"Damnyou,sergeant!"shoutedFelix,andleaptforZeismannastheotherspearmenshrankback.

Thezombie captain thrust straight forFelix'sheart, but thoughhis aimhad survivedhisdeath,hisspeedhadn't,andFelixsweptthepointaside,thenhackedoffZeismann'shead.

Thelivingspearmenmoanedastheiroldcaptain'sbodycollapsed,andcontinuedretreatingasmoreoftheirdeadcomradesstaggeredpastthehard-pressedslayers.

"Don'tbefools!"shoutedFelix,tryingtoholdbackallthedeadspearmenbyhimself."Youmustkillthem to free them!Cut themdown!Let them trulydie!"Still the spearmenhesitated,on the tippingpointbetweenfightandflight,asFelixdecapitatedanotherzombiespearmananddodgedthreemore.

"On!"heshouteddesperately."ForAbelung!ForZeismann!On!"Thenamesdidit.Withtearsintheireyes and sobs in their throats, the spearmen fell in beside him. "ForAbelung!" they shouted. "ForZeismann!ForZeismann!"Theirspearsflashedforwards,stabbingtheirdeadcomradesinthechests,and after awild fewmoments, the holewas plugged and their line restored andFelixwas able tostaggerbacktohispositionbehindGotrek,pantingandoutofbreath.

Butashedid,herealisedthathiswasn'ttheonlybreathinghecouldhear.

ThoughGotrekfoughtonbesidehisfellowslayersastirelesslyasever,andhadlostnostrengthorspeedthatFelixcouldsee,hisbreathwasonceagainrawandthick,asiffluidfilledhislungs.Andwhileheseemedinnowayimpairedbytheconstantrasping,hisfacewasevenredderthanusual,andhissingleeyeangrier,asifhewasfuriousathisbody'ssuddenbetrayal.

Again the image of the black slivers burrowing through the Slayer's organs forced its way intoFelix'smindandhecouldn'tpushitoutagain.Hesuddenly91

fearedthatGotrek'snextstrikeorblockmightbetheonetojartheflecksthroughhisheartandkillhim.HewantedtotelltheSlayertostepback,tolethimfightatthefrontforonce.ButGotrekwouldneverallowthat.Norwouldhecareabouttheslivers.Iftheykilledhiminthemiddleofbattle,sobeit.Hewouldhavediedaslayer'sdeath,andallwouldbewell.

Felix glanced ahead and gruntedwith relief as he saw that the tunnelmouthwas only a fewpacesahead.Theywerealmostthere.HeshotaquestioningglanceatKat,onthefarsideofthetunnel.Shegavehimawearynodandtookanotherstepthroughthereekingswampofdecapitatedcorpses,butasFelixdidthesame,adeeprumblingshookthetunnel,jarringhimsidewaysandnearlyknockingKatandthespearmenofftheirfeet.

"Whatisit?"askedKat,asthenoisegrewlouderandtheshakingmoreviolent.

"Thesiegetowers,"saidGotrek."Theattackhasbegun."Frombehindcamefootstepsandshouting.

"Slayers!Spearmen!Fallback!"calledanartilleryman."Weareneededatthecannons!Sappers,plantyour last charges!We are lighting the fuses now!"Gotrek andRodi nodded to Felix,Kat and thespearmenas theartillerymenholding the last twocharges shoved themhastily into theirholesandhurriedbackdownthetunnel.

"Startrunning,"saidGotrek."Wewillfollow."

"Buttherearestillzombies,"saidSnorri.

"Plentymoreonthewalls,FatherRustskull,"saidRodi.

FelixandKatbackedawaywiththespearmen,leavingthethreeslayersaloneagainsttheroilingwallofzombies,thenturnedandran--although"running"wasperhapstoofineatermforwhattheyweredoing.Theyweresowearyfromfighting,andthefloorsolitteredwithbutcheredzombies,thattheystumbledandswervedlikedrunkspassingthroughaslaughterhouse.

Ayoungspearmancrasheddownbehindhiscomrades, trippingonthecrushedskullofabeastmanandtwistinghisleg.FelixandKathauledhimupandhelimpedon,hissingandlame.

Fromthedirectionofthecellarcameadistantcry."Fireinthehole!Fireinthehole!"

Felixgottheboy'sleftarmoverhisshoulderandKatdidthesamewithhisrightandtheystaggeredaftertheresttowardsthenarrowholetotheslayers'tunnel.Twosparkingflamesracedoutoftheholeasthespearmensqueezedthroughit,andKatcriedoutinalarm.Twoofthematchcordsthatwerelaidalongthewallsofthetunnelweresizzlingtowardstheircharges.

"ThatbastardVolk!"criedthespearman."He'sblowingusuptoo!"Felix'sheartlurchedwithfear,butthematchcordsburnedpastthefirstchargesandsparkedtowardstheendofthetunnel.

"No,"hepanted."He'slitthefurthestonesfirst."

"Stillcuttingitdamnedfine,"saidthespearman.

KatandFelixhelpedhimthroughtheholeastwomoresparkssizzledpastthem.

Ashoutandheavythudboomeddownthetunnelfromthedirectionofthecellar.

92

Felixcouldn'tseewhathadhappened.Thetinyspacewasfilledwiththesulphuricsmokeofburningmatchcord,butsomeonewasscreaming.

Theystumbledonand thehaze thinned,andFelixcouldsee that theheavy log-builtblastdoorhadfallenclosed,pinningaspearmantotheground.Shoutsandpoundingcamefromtheothersideofthedoor,andthreemorespearmenweretryingtoliftitfromthisside,butitwasn'tmoving.

Felix,Kat and the limping spearmanhurried tohelp them,andallof them together lifted thedoorenoughtogetitoffthepinnedman'sback.Someonepulledhimclear,buttheycouldn'traisethedooranyfurther.Twomoreflameshissedundertheirfeetandspeddownthetunneltowardsthebombs.

"Youon theotherside!"calledFelix."Heaveonmycount.One, two, three!"Muffledgroanscamefrombeyondthedoor,andFelixcouldfeelpressurefromtheothersideaddingtotheirlift.Theyhadituptotheirknees.

"Go,Kat,"saidFelix."Getunder."

"Iwon't,"shesaid."Notalone."

"Damnyou,girl!There'snoreason--"

"Standaside,manling."

Felix lookedaround.The three slayerswere stridingup thenarrow tunnel in single file,Gotrekattheirhead.FelixshiftedasideandGotrekliftedthedooroverhisheadasifitweighednomorethanawindowsash.

"Run,"hesaid.

Kat,Felixandthespearmenallduckedgratefullyunderthelogsandstaggeredalongthetunnelasfastastheycouldgo.FelixlookedbackandsawRodiandSnorriside-steppastGotrekthroughthedoorascalmlyasiftheyweresqueezingthroughacrowdedmarket.ThentheSlayersteppedforwardsanddroppedthedoorbehindhim.

Thelogsbangedclosedandtheworldturnedupsidedown.Itwasasiftheslammingdoorhadstruckatrigger,forjustasithit,thetunnelshookandabattering-ramofhotairpunchedFelixoffhisfeet.He andKat and the spearmen tumbled down the tunnel like leaves before awind as an enormousboombatteredhisearsandmadeeverythingelsegosilent.

HecametorestontopofKatwiththespearmenontopofhim,andsomeone'skneeinhiskidneys.Thetunnelwasswirlingwithgreysmoke.Helookedbackalongit.Hecouldn'tseetheslayers.

"That...wasloud,"saidKat.

Felixcoughedandrolledoffher,thenpushedtohisfeet."Gotrek?Rodi?

Snorri?"

Nobodyansweredhim.Helimpeddownthetunnel,afraidofwhathewouldFind.

Asquatbodylayonthefloor.

"Gotrek?"

Thebodycoughedandsatup,shakingitsnail-studdedhead.Itwascoveredheadtotoeingreydust."Whatwasthat,youngFelix?"

"Nothing,Snorri,"saidFelix."IthoughtyouwereGotrek."

"Sayagain?Snorrican'thearyou."

Felixedgedpasthim,peeringintothesmoke.

"Gotrek?Rodi?"

93

Two short, sturdy silhouettes staggered out of the cloud, slapping dust off themselves. One waswagglingafingerinhisear.

"Whyareyouwhispering,manling?"askedGotrek.

"Doyouhearbells?"askedRodi.

Amuffledtantaraofrallyhornsandthethunderofcannonechoedfromabove.

Thetwoslayerscockedtheirearsandlookedup.Theycouldhearthatwellenough.

"Come,manling,"saidGotrek,suckinginabreathandstridingpastwithRodi.

"Timeforsomerealfighting."

Felix,Katandthespearmenfollowedtheslayersoutoftheofficers'residenceandintohell.Ineverydirectionwasnoise,flamesandconfusion.Lobbedmissilesarcedoutofthenightskytocrashdownalloverthecourtyard--boulders,flamingcorpsesanddeadcattlethatexplodedinshowersofrottingentrails.FiresroaredwhereverFelixlooked.Theupperstoreyoftheknights'residencewasablaze,aswas the remaining river boat, and the hoardings were catching too. On the parapet, the knights,spearmenandhandgunnersfoughtoffanendlesstideofzombiesthatpouredoverthebattlementsasswooping bats slashed at any who tried to shove or steal their ladders away. And under all theshouting and shrieking, under the crack of the guns and the boom of the cannons, came the deeprumbleoftheapproachingsiegetowers.

Gotrekwaslookingatnoneofit.Instead,hisoneeyesweptthesky,glaringatitasifdemandingananswer.

"Whereishe?"herasped."Whereisthecoward?"

"Don'tbepicky,Gurnisson," snortedRodi,brushingbyhimwithSnorriandstarting for the stairs."Thereareplentyofdoomshere."Gotrekgruntedandstartedafter them,still lookingat thesky."I

alreadyhavemydoom."

Felixscannedthewallstoseewheretheyweremostneededashe,Katandthespearmenfollowedtheslayersacrossthecourtyardandupthestairs.Onthefarsideofthemaingatehouse,thewesternmostsectionofthewallwasthickwiththemustardandburgundysurcoatsofvonVolgen'sTalabeclanders,fightinginatightlineatthebattlements,withspearmendetachmentsrankedbehindthemandstabbingovertheirshoulders.Ontheeasternwalls,vonGeldrechtcalledencouragementtoCastleReikguard'shouseholdknights,whowere linedup like theTalabeclanders,with rankedspearmenbacking themup,whileclosesttothegatehouse,Bosendorferandhisgreatswordshadstakedoutasectionofwallfortheirveryown,andwereslashingwildlyatthezombieswithnospearmentobackthemup.Andon the towers, Volk's crews, shirtless and sweating, were loading, priming and firing the castle'sgreat-cannonswhileHultz'shandgunnersclusteredaroundthem,blastingawayat thegiantbats thatharriedthemandtriedtoruintheiraim.EvenDraeger'smilitiamenwereonthewalls,draggedoutoftheircellsasvonGeldrechtpromised,butapparentlynotentrustedwithweapons.Theyranamongstthe others, wielding hooked ropes and boarding pikes to steal and shove back the ladders of thezombiesallalongthewall.

Felixnoddedwithgrimsatisfaction.Forallthefireandnoiseandcrashingstones,allseemedtobegoingwell.ThehoardingswereprotectingthedefendersfromthebatsandtheblazingbarragethatKemmler'scatapultsandtrebuchetswere94

rainingdownupon them,and thedefenderswereholding their linesandmakingshortworkof thecorpsesthatmanagedtomakeittothewalls.

Unfortunately,itlookedasifallthatwasabouttochange.

As Felix,Kat and the slayers and spearmen squeezed onto the parapet behind the surging lines ofknights,thedeeprumblethathadchurnedtheirgutssincetheyhadsteppedintothecourtyardgrewsostrongthatitshookthecastlewalls,drowningouttheshoutsofthecaptainsastheybellowedordersto their troops.Felix cranedhis neck to seeover thebattlements, and sawat last the sourceof thesound.

"Sigmar,"hebreathed.

The towers had been frightening enough seen at a distance, when he had watched them beingconstructed at the edgeof thewoods.Now, lurchingout of the night and crawlingwith nightmarecrews,theywereenoughtomakehimwanttoturnandrun.

Upclose,hesawtheyhadbeencoveredwiththeshaggyskinsofbeastmen,stretchedacrossatwistedframeworkofdeadtrees,thehidescrudelystitchedtogetherandtheemptybagsofheadskinflappingandballooninginthewindsothatitlookedliketheeyeandmouthholeswereblinkingandtryingtosaysomething.

Morerevoltingstill,thetowerwasbeingpulledbythedeadbeastmenthathadbeenflayedtomakeit.Hundredsofskinlessbeast-corpseswereharnessedtothetowers,pullingthemforwardsbyropesthatpiercedthemthroughtheirchestsandstrungthemtogetherlikegrislyfetishesonashaman'sbraid.Thebestial zombies trudged forwards asone, straining against the thickknots that pressed againsttheirsternumsasthetowersskiddedslowlyovertheunevenground,swayingandshakinglikethey

wereinahighwind.

Theboardingcrewswerejustashideous--naked,white-skinnedghoulswithclawedhandsandfiledteeth.Theyhung from the fighting topsby the score, gibberingandhowling forhuman flesh, andshakingshin-bonespearsandthigh-boneclubs.

"Corpse-eaters,"moanedKat,shuddering.

Felixfoughtdownnauseaasthereekofdeathanddefecationwashedoverthem.

"Gods,"hechoked."Thesmellalonewillkillus!"

ThespearmengaveFelixandKatafarewellsalute,thenhurriedtorejointheranksoftheircomrades.FelixandKatreturnedthesalute, thenfollowedtheslayersas theywent left,headingforwherethenearesttowerwastrundlingtowardsthewall.

Butasitloomedcloser,hopeswelledinFelix'schest.Itlookedlikethecrewofthemenacingtowerweregoingtodragitstraightintotheemptymoat,whereitwouldtipforwardsandcrashflatbeforeitreachedthewall--andthefurthertowerseemedabouttodothesame.

"That's it,youbrainlesspuppets!" shoutedCaptainHultz fromwherehishandgunnersblazedat theghouls."Doourworkforus!"

"They'regoingtocrushtheirowncrews!"laughedaspearman.

Thecat-callsdiedaway,however,asthelongtrainsofzombiesthathadbeenfollowingthetowersallatoncesurgedaheadandbeganthrowingthemselvesintothemoatinfrontofthem.

"Whataretheydoing?"askedaknight."They'llbeflattened!"

"Oh,Sigmar,"moanedahandgunner."They'remakingabridge."95

AndasheandKatstared,Felixsawthemanwasright.Thezombieskeptpilingintothemoatintheirhundredsuntil,justbeforetheharnessedteamsofbeast-corpsesreachedthem,theywerelevelwithitsbanks.

Atfirstthedeadbeastmenlosttheirfootingontheunevensurfaceoftheircomrades'stackedbodies,but then they recovered, digging their hooves into the faces and ribcages and guts of the undeadbridge and using them for traction. The skids of the towers had less trouble. They slid across themoundofcrushedcorpsesasiftheyweregreased,andthetowerspickedupspeed.

Cannonsbelchedsmokefromthecastlewalls,andthetopofthefurthertowersmashedtosplinters,sendingtheghoulsthatclungtoitspinningawaytotheirdeaths,whilethecannonballfromtheright-hand gun crashed through the waist of the nearer, snapping timbers and braces within beforepunchingoutthefarside.

Themenonthewallscheered,butthoughsmashedandsagging,thetowerskeptcoming,screechingghoulsswarmingupfromtheirdepths.

Rodi and Snorri stopped behind Bosendorfer and his greatswords, who readied themselves at theplacewherethenearertowerwouldstrikethewall.

"Here,"saidRodi,heftinghisaxe.

Gotrekshotalastdisappointedlookatthesky,thenfellinbesidehim."Aye,"hesaid.

"Snorriwishesthesehumanswouldgetoutoftheway,"saidSnorri.

"Hereitcomes,"saidKat.

"Notonestepback,greatswords!"yelledBosendorfer.

"Notastep,lads!"shoutedhissergeant,ahulkingveteranwithagrizzledbeard.

"Notastep!"

Withanimpactthatshookthewholecastle,thehellishtowerstruckandtheghoulslaunchedforwards,straightontothesword-pointsofthegreatswords--buttheydidn'tcomealone.Asthefirstwavediedscreamingandtumblingoffthebattlementstocrashamongsttheskinlessbeast-zombiesbelow,acoldwindexhaledfromthemawofthetowerandashriekingspectreburstforth,shadowsflappingaroundit likeashroud.Aneyeless femalefacestaredfromthecentreof thedarknessasclaws likesabresreachedforthegreatswords.

Thehairs stoodonFelix's neck as the thing came forwards, andhe tookan involuntary stepback.Everyfearhehadeverhad--ofthedark,oflosinghismother,ofillness,deathandtorturesbeyondthegrave--allwelledupinhimatonceashelookedintoheremptyeyes,andeveryfibreofcouragehepossesseddriedupandcrumbled in thescathingwindofhershriek.Hewanted to turnandflee--tohideinacornerandweep.

Andperhapshewouldhave,butKatstumbledbacktoo,bumpingintohim,andsomehow,thatcontact,andtheopportunityitgavehimtoputhishandonhershoulderandreassureher,reassuredhimtoo,andthepanicpassed.

The greatswords, unfortunately, had no one to reassure, and were edging back and dying as theghoulstookadvantageoftheirterrifiedparalysis,rakingouttheireyesandrippingouttheirthroats.Bosendorferswunghistwo-handerattheghostlyhorror,buthisbladepassedrightthroughitwithouttouchinganditcameon,swipingwithitsclaws.

96

Theyimpaledhimthroughthechest,andthoughtheyseemedtodonophysicaldamagetohimorhisarmour,theirtouchmadehimstaggerandshriek.

"Fall back!" he cried, flailing with his sword. "Fall back, we cannot prevail!" The greatswords,alreadyonthepointofbreaking,followedthisorderwithawill,andfleddownthewall,Bosendorferin the lead and the sergeant taking up the rear, as a score of ghouls flooded onto the parapetunopposedafterthem.

"Cowards!" growled Gotrek, and charged forwards into the corpse-eaters with Rodi and Snorrimillingathissides,andFelixandKatfollowingbehind.

"Atleasttheygotoutoftheway,"saidSnorri.

Thebansheehowledattheslayersastheyslaughteredtheghouls,butoneswipeofGotrek'saxeandshedissipatedintofadingcurlsofmist,hermiasmaoffearfadingwithher.Theslayerspressedon,buttheywerelikeaboulderinawidestream.Thoughtheycutdownghoulswitheveryswingoftheirweapons,withoutthegreatswordstoholdtheirflanks,manymorespilledaroundthemandswarmeddown the wall, attacking the lines of the knights and spearmen from the rear. The ranks werecrumbling and falling back in confusion, allowing the zombies to top their ladders and gain afootholdonthewall.Thegreatswordsneededtocomeback!

"Bosendorfer!" shouted Felix, hacking down a ghoul. "Turn about! She's gone!" A few of thegreatswords looked back, but Bosendorfer didn't seem to have heard. Felix cursed, then filled hislungs.Ithadworkedwiththespearmeninthetunnel.Perhapsitwouldworkhere.

"Greatswords!" he shouted. "To me! Hold the wall! Hold for Castle Reikguard!" A few of thegreatswordsslowedandturned,andthencalledmoreoftheircomradesback.Thegrizzledsergeanthesitated,lookingtowardsBosendorfer,thenbacktoFelixagain.

"Tome!"shoutedFelixagain."Wecanholdthemhere!"Thewordsseemedtogalvanisethesergeant,andhestartedbackalongthewall.

Theothersfollowed,andfellupontheghoulsthathadgotbehindtheknightsandspearmen.

"That'sit!"criedFelix,astheyworkedtheirwaybackalongthewall."ForGrafReiklander!FortheEmpire!"

Withthegreatswordspushingbacktheghoulincursion,theslayerspressedforwardstostemthetideatitssource.Theycutabloodypathtothebattlements,thenleaptfromthemtothesiegetowerandbattledthroughtheghoulstowardsthemawfromwhichtheyspewed.

FelixandKatwatchedtheirprogressuneasilyastheyandthegreatswordsfoughttohemintheghoulsthatstillswarmedpasttheslayerstothewall.Thetowerwaslistingdecidedlytotheleftandcreakingnoisily as the skinless beast-zombies, no longer needed to pull it forwards, climbed its sides, stillstrungtogetherontheirlongropes.

"Don'tthebrainlessthingsknowit'sbrokeninside?"criedKat."They'regoingtopullitdown!"

"Aye,"saidFelix."Andtheslayerswithit."

A roar fromabovebroughtFelix's headup.He cursed.Hurtlingout of the skyon the backof hisundeadwyvernwasKrell,aimingstraightforthethreedwarfs.

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"Slayers!"shoutedFelix.

Gotrek, Rodi and Snorri dived aside as the patchworkmonster slammed down on the precarioustowerandnearlyrockeditoffitsrunners.Ghoulsandskinnedbeastsspunawaytothegroundastheslayersclunglikelimpets,andmoreominouscrackingsandgrindingssoundedfromwithin.

"Mine!"roaredRodiasKrelldismountedandslashedathimwithhisblackaxe.

ThegauntletedhandandforearmGotrekhadpreviouslyseveredseemedtohavecompletelyregrown.

"Findyourowndoom,Balkisson!"roaredGotrek,throwinghimselfforwards.

"Thisismine!"

"Takeitifyoucan,Gurnisson!"laughedRodiandchargedinaswell.

Krellblockedbothattackswitha scrapeof steel,butGotrek shouldered intohis legsandsenthimcrashingbackintohiswyvern.Theuglybeastflappedintotheair,shrieking,andleftthewightkinglyingattheedgeofthetowerastheslayersadvanced.

"Snorriwantsittobehisdoom!"calledSnorri,limpingafterthem.

AskinnedbeastmenpulleditselfupontothefightingtopandlurchedinSnorri'swayasKrellandtheslayers clashed. Snorri crushed the beast-corpse's headwith his hammer, only to findmore of thehulkinghorrorspullingthemselvesupallaroundhim,allstilllinkedtogetherlikesomegrislycharmbraceletcometolife.

"GetoutofSnorri'sway!"shoutedSnorri.

Felix cursed. This was bad. He had to get Snorri off the tower before he found his doom.Unfortunately,thereweremorethanascoreofghoulsintheway.

"Drive them back!" he shouted to the greatswords. "Drive them off the walls!" The greatswordscheered,andthegrizzledsergeantechoedhim."Aye,lads!

Drive'embacktothegraveyard!"

Thegreatswordsfellupontheghoulslikeasingleman,theirweaponsrisingandfallingasone,anddoing terrible damage to heads, shoulders and necks as Felix andKat fought in their centre. Still,Felixwasn'tsuretheywouldbequickenough.

On the leaning tower,Snorri fought in thecentreofahandfulof skinnedbeasts, roaring joyously,whileGotrekandRodichoppedatKrellfromoppositesides.Thewightkingturnedandslashedintheircentre,hisobsidianaxemakingachokingcloudofgritallaroundhim.Rodicaughtamouthfulandstumbled,coughing,andKrellstruckhimablowsostrongthat,thoughheblockedit,itknockedtheyoungslayertotheveryedgeofthefightingtop.

"Ha!" snarledGotrek, charging in. "Nowwe'll seewhosedoom it is!"Krell backed fromGotrek'sblurringaxe,andhisancientblackarmourwasquicklyscoredwithadozenmetal-brightscars,butthesurgewastakingitstollonGotrektoo.Hisraggedbreathinghadreturned,andhisfaceglowedlikeahotcoal.

Rodi struggled to his feet and started up the slant again, but the skinned beast-corpses weresurroundinghimaswell."Wait,Gurnisson!"GotrekcoughedashedroveKrelltotheedge."Aslayerdoesn'twait!" The undead champion's boot-heel slipped on the uneven lip of the fighting top, andGotrektookadvantage,hackingahugedivotoutofhisrightgreave.Krellthrew98

himselftothesidetoavoidanotherstrikeandGotrekturnedafterhim,blowinglikeasteamtank.

Atthesamemoment,Felix,KatandthegreatswordsfinallychoppeddownthelastoftheghoulsandleaptupontothebattlementstohackattheringofskinlessbeaststhatsurroundedSnorri--onlytofindtheoldslayerinaterriblepredicament.

Hispeglegwaswedgedbetweentwoplanksattheveryedgeoftheslantedplatform,andhecouldn'tgetitout.Heswungmightilywithhiswarhammerasthedeadbeastspressedhimfromallsides,buthecouldnotmoveordodge,andtheywereclawinghimtopieces.

Felix,Katandthegreatswordschargedin,choppingat theringofbeasts,but thereweretoomany,andtheyweretoobig.Theyweren'tgoingtomakeitbeforeSnorriwasdrivenovertheside.

"Gotrek!"shoutedFelix."Snorri!"

GotreklookedtotheoldslayerashesmashedKrell'slegsoutfromunderhimandsenthimcrashingdowntheslant.Hehesitated,andFelixreadhisexpression.Ifhewentafterthewightking,hecouldfinishhim,andcrossoutathousandgrudgesinthedwarfs'ancientbook.HecouldbeknownforeverastheslayerofKrelltheHoldbreaker.Butifhedid,Snorriwouldfalltohisdeath.

With a savage snarl, Gotrek charged at Snorri, and slammed into the wall of beasts around him,hamstringing onewith his axe and shoving it over the edge. It jerked to a stop and swung like ahangedmanas the rope thatconnected it to its fellowspulled taut.Thenext in thestringstaggeredsidewaysat the jerkandGotrekshoved it too.Thatdid it.As thesecondbeastmanpitchedover theside,itsweight,combinedwiththeweightofthefirstbeastmanandthesteepangleoftheplatform,pulledall the rest offoneafter theother in rapid succession. Itwas likewatchinga stringofuglysausagesslipovertheedgeofacliff.

Butasthelastbeast-corpsetoppled,itimpaleditselfuponadeadtreebranchthatjuttedoutthroughthestretchedskinsofthetower'sside,andstoppeddead.Allatonce,alltheweightofallthebeastsonthestringjerkedthecrippledtowerhardtotheleft,andsomethingvitalbrokewithinit.

GotrekcursedandstumbledtoSnorri,rippinghistrappedpegfromtheplanksasthetowerbegantosinkslowlybutinexorablytotheside.

"Fallback,Nosebiter,"hewheezed,andshovedhimatFelixandKat,whodraggedhimbacktowardsthebattlements.

"Wheredidthebeastmengo?"askedSnorri.

"Forgetthebeastmen,Snorri,"snappedKat.

GotrekturnedbacktoKrell.Rodiwasalreadythere,drivinghimbackacrossthetippingfightingtopwithbrutalcutsasthewightkingroaredatthesky.Gotrekplungedafterthem,pantingandrasping,

butbeforehecouldreachthem,thewyvernflasheddown,flaringitswings,andKrellvaultedintothesaddle.

GotrekandRodirushedathim,buttheyweretoolate.Thewyvernlaunchedforwardsandplungedawayoutofsight,andthetowertilteddrasticallyundertheirfeet.

"Coward!"roaredGotrek.

"Comebackandfight!"bellowedRodi.

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"Slayers!"calledFelix."Getoffit!"

"Hurry!"criedKat.

Theslayersstoodforanagonisingsecond,staringafterKrell,thenturnedandwalkedbackontothebattlementsjustasthecollapsingtowerfinallysankawaybeneaththem.Gotrek'sfacewashotandhischestheaved,buthissingleeyewasashardandcoldasFelixhadeverseenit.

Along the wall, the men pushing back the ladders and fighting the zombies cheered as the towercrashedtothemoat,crushingscoresofzombiesandghouls,andthecheerwasechoedfromtherightasthesecondtowerwentdownaswell,burninglikeakiteinafurnace,buttheslayersdidnotseeminacelebratorymood.

Snorri,bleedingfromadozenclawwounds,wasfrowningatGotrekashestruggledtostand."Snorridoesn'tthinkitwasrightofyou,GotrekGurnisson,tostophimfrom--"

"AndGotrekGurnissondoesn'tgiveadamnwhatSnorrithinks!"Gotrekbellowedintheoldslayer'sface. "Until he remembers his shame, Gotrek doesn't want to hear another word out of Snorri'smouth!"

Felix,KatandRodisteppedbackasSnorriblinked,stunnedbyGotrek'soutburst.

Thegreatswordsdidn'tseemtoknowwheretolook.

"AndwhatifSnorrithinkshe'dliketopunchGotrekGurnisson'suglyfacein?"askedSnorri,hisfistsballing.

Gotrek'sbrowslowered,butbeforehecouldgatherenoughbreathtoreply,vonVolgenandapairofknightsshovedpasthim,runningtowardsvonGeldrecht.

"Lordsteward!"calledvonVolgen."Theharbour!Look to theharbour!"Felix,Katand theslayersturned and looked down into the harbour, searching for what von Volgen was speaking of. Felixfrowned.Thesloopwasstillburning,androcksandflamingcorpseswerestill splashingdownalloverit,buthesawnonewthreat.

"Whatisit?"heasked."Idon'tseeanything."

"There!"saidKat,pointingtowardsthewaternearthequayside.

Felixfollowedhergaze.Thewaterwasfilledwithbobbingheadsandthrashinghandsasmentriedtoclimboutontothequayside.No.Notmen.

"Zombies,"raspedGotrek."Fromundertherivergate."100

TWELVE"Sigmar'sblood!"cursedFelix."Howhave theygot in?Weblocked it!"Thezombieswerepullingthemselves onto the docks in amass now, like sludge-covered crabs crawling over each other toescape a roiling stew pot. The massive forms of dead beastmen heaved up amongst them, waterpouringfromtheirfilthyfur,andtheystaggeredtowardsthedoorsofthemaingatehousewhilethehumancorpsesshuffledforthestairstothewallsandclawedupthesidesoftheburningriverboatastheriverwardenshackedatthemandshovedthemback.

"Somany,"moanedKat."Whatdowedonow?"

FelixturnedtoaskGotrekthesamequestion.TheSlayerwaswalkingaftervonVolgenwithSnorriandRodifollowing.FelixshotanuneasylookatSnorri,afraidhemightstillbeangryatGotrek,buttheoldslayer'sfacewasasplacidas italwayswas--asifhisoldestfriendhadn't justshoutedinhisface.Felixsighed.ThatwasoneadvantagetoSnorri'smemoryproblems,hesupposed.Heforgotaninsultasquicklyasheforgotanythingelse.FelixsalutedthegreatswordsergeantasheandKatturnedto follow theslayers."Thankyou,sergeant."Thebigmangavehimasheepishsmile."Thankyou,meinherr,"hesaid."Thankyouforbringingusback."

"You are thanking him, Sergeant Leffler?" rang a voice behind them. "For countermanding myorder?"

Theyalllookedaround.ItwasBosendorfer,hiseyesblazing.

"IfItellyoutofallback,youfallback,"hesaid,steppingforwards."IfItellyoutoholdthewalls,youholdthewalls,isthatclear?"

"Yes,captain,"saidthesergeant."Veryclear."

"Good,"saidBosendorfer,thenpointedtothenow-emptybattlements."Holdthewalls!"

The men hesitated, and Leffler glanced at Felix as if to ask his permission. Felix noddedautomatically,thensawthatBosendorferhadwitnessedtheexchange,andwasrigidwithrage.

Thesergeantsalutedhastily,thenledtheothersbacktothebattlements.

Felixsteppedback,feelinglikeheshouldsaysomething,thenturnedawaywithKat,growling.HefeltBosendorfer'seyesonhimthewholewayastheyfollowedtheslayersdownthewall.

"Idon'tthinkI'vemadeafriendthere,"hesaid.

"Whowantsacowardforafriend?"sneeredKat.

Theyfoundtheslayersonthetopoftheeasternmosttower,waitingimpatientlyasvonGeldrechtgaveorderstohisofficerswhilevonVolgenstoodathisside,whisperingadvice.

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"Oneineveryfivemenon thewallshalldescendanddefend thegatehouse!"calledvonGeldrecht,thenturnedtovonVolgen,frowning."Oneinfive?Areyousure?Willthewallshold?"

"Withthetowersdown,"saidvonVolgencalmly,"thezombiesontheladderscanbecontained.Theharbourbreachisyourgreatestthreat,lordsteward.Itmustbestoppedandthegatehouseheld,forifitfalls,youwillhavetoretiretothekeep--andthatwillinvolveagreatlossoflifeandtreasure."

"Buthowarewetostopthehole?"saidvonGeldrecht,andFelixcouldseehewasaneyeblinkfrompanic."Ithoughtwehadalreadyblockedit."

"Leavethattous,"saidGotrek,hisbreathingslowlyreturningtonormal."Youkeepthecorpsesoutofthegatehouse,andwe'llplugyourholeforyou."VonGeldrechtbreathedasighofrelief."Thankyou,slayers.Youshallhavealltheassistanceyourequire."

"Rope,lampoil,pipechargesandmatchcord,"gruntedGotrek."Alsoanoarboat,andsomementokeepoffthezombieswhilewework."

"Itshallbedone,"saidvonGeldrecht."AndyouwillhaveBosendorfer'sgreatswordstodefendyou."

Felixcoughed."Uh,noneedtotroublethem,"hesaidquickly."Perhapssomespearmeninstead."

"Certainly,certainly,"saidvonGeldrecht,thenturnedbacktovonVolgenasFelix,Katandtheslayersstartedforthestairs."Andyouwillseetothedefenceofthegatehouse,mylord?"

VonVolgenbowed."Ofcourse,lordsteward.Wewillholdittothelastman."Felixthoughthedidaremarkablejobofkeepingthecontemptoutofhisvoice.

Afewminuteslater,Felix,KatandSnorriwereprowlingbackandforthalongtheembankmentoftheharbour,fendingoffthegiantbatsthatwheeleddownoutoftheskyandchoppingatanyzombiesthatdared rear their heads above thewaveswhileRodi tied a rope aroundGotrek'swaist, andGotrekchainedhisruneaxetohiswrist.

Theywerealltuckedintothefurthestcorneroftheharbour,behindthestairsthatrosetothekeep,andbeside the river gate. The spearmen Gotrek had requested were posted between the stairs and theembankment,blockinganyzombiesthatshambledtowardsthemfromthecourtyard.Thatdidn'tstoptheoneswhotriedtoclimboutofthewater,however,andFelix,KatandSnorrihadtheirhandsfull.

"Sureyouhaveenoughbreath?"askedRodi,pullingtheropetight.

"Itwon'ttakemuch,"saidGotrek.

Felixswallowed.Hecouldthinkofnomoreunpleasantexperiencethanjumpingintoadarkharbourfullofundeadmenandbeastmen,butitwouldbeimpossibletopatchtheholeuntiltheyknewhowbigitwas,andtheonlywaytolearnthatwastosinkdownandlook.Gotrekalsowantedtoknowhowthezombieshadmadeit.Hadtheypushedasidethestones?Hadtheydugthroughthemud?Howcouldtheyhavedoneitinsuchashorttime?

Roditiedofftherope,thenduckedasideasagreatbouldersmasheddownnexttothem,shatteringtheflagstonesandbouncingaway,proofthatthebattlehadnotstoppedsothattheycouldcarryouttheir

investigation.Indeed,ithadbecomeworse.

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Onthetowers,Volk'scannonscontinuedtoblazeaway,tryingtoknockoutKemmler'scatapultsandtrebuchets,whichstillbombardedthecourtyardwithfilthandstonesandflamingdeath.Onthewalls,vonGeldrecht's knights and spearmen kept up their never-ending battle to push back the zombies'ladders.And in the courtyard, vonVolgen andhis companyof chosenmenguarded the gatehousedoorsagainsttheever-growingswarmofzombiesthatcontinuedtosurgeupoutoftheharbourinanever-endingtideandattackthemwithmindlessfocus.

UnlessGotrek found someway to block the hole in the river gate, the outcome of that battlewasinevitable.VonVolgen'smenwereholdingupwell,butfacedwithaforcethatwouldnotbreakortireordiminish, theywouldeventuallydieofattrition,and thegatehousewouldfall.Then thezombieswouldopenthegatesandtherestofthehordewouldpourin.Thelowercourtyardwouldbelost,andlikelythekeeptoo.

CastleReikguardwould be in the hands ofKemmler, and the relief force,when it at last arrived,wouldtaketherollofbesieger,ratherthanrescuer.

Gotreksteppedtotheedgeoftheembankment.

"Leaveoff,Nosebiter,"hesaid."It'stime."

Snorri puthishammeronhis backandwrapped the endofGotrek's rope aroundhismassive fist."Snorriisready."

"Ready,"saidRodi,takingupajugoflampoilandatorch.

Gotreknodded, thendived into thewater,his axe inonehand.As soonashevanishedbeneath thewaves,Rodicrackedthejugoflampoilonthestoneembankmentandletthecontentsspillontothewater,thentouchedthetorchtothespreadingsheen.

Withasuddenwhump,theoilwentupinaballofflame,thenburnedbrightlyonthewaves,snakinglikeitwasalivethroughtheripplesandsplashes.

Azombiecameupinthemiddleofitandtriedtoclimbontothebankastheflamesclungtoitsheadandshoulders. Itdidn't seemtonotice,and reached forKatwithaburninghand.Shedodgedback,thensplititsskullwithonehatchet,anditsthroatwiththeother.Thethingfellback,clawingweaklyandfizzlingasitsankbeneaththewaves.

Asecondlater,theflamesburnedthemselvesout,andasecondafterthat,Gotrek'sropebeganwildlyjerkingandthrashinginthewater.

"Pull,Snorri!"shoutedRodi."Pull!"

Theoldslayerheavedmightilyontherope,andbegantoreelitinfistoverfist,buttherewasalotofresistance. Rodi joined him and they pulled together as Felix and Kat stepped close to the edge,weaponsraised.

Thewaterchurnedattheirfeet,andthenashavenheadandbroadshouldersshotbackwardsupoutofthewaves,followedinstantlybythehornedgoatheadofadeadbeastman,andtherotting,thrashinglimbs of human zombies. Gotrek was infested with them. The beast-corpse had its ursine teethclampedaroundhisleftshoulder,andthehumansclungtohislegsandtorso,allclawingandbitingasheswunghisruneaxeandroaredsputteringdefiance.

Felixstruck thegoat-headedmonsteraglancingblow.ItwasenoughofadistractionforGotrek toburyhisaxeunderitsjaw,anditfellaway.Katseveredthespineofoneofthemen,andGotrekpeeledofftheothertwowithhisaxe,then103

floppedontheembankment,coughingviolently,asFelixandKatdrovetherestunderthewaves.

"Well?"saidRodi,throwingdowntherope.

Gotreksatup,stillcoughing,andslickedhiscrestbackoutofhiseyes."Bigenoughforabeastman,"hesaid."Butnobigger.Andrightthroughthegate."Heopenedhislefthandtorevealastubofmetalbar.FelixandKatlookedatitovertheirshoulders.Itwasabrokenpieceoftheironlatticethatmadeuptherivergatedoors,butithadacuriousbrittlelooktoit,andwhenRodipokedhisfingeratit,itcrumbledawaylikechalk.

"Thesaboteur,"hegrunted."IthoughtLordLard-Gutswasgoingto'takesteps'."

Gotrekgruntedandpulledhimselftohisfeet.Hehaddeepbitemarksinhisleftshoulder,andclawmarkseverywhere."Forgetthesaboteur.Wehavetoclosethehole."HiseyefocussedonthetempleofSigmaracrosstheharbour."Andthatisthepatch."

"Youcan'ttakemydoor!"criedFatherUlfram,ashisacolyte,Danniken,coweredinthebackground."ThisisatempleofSigmar!Youarecommittingsacrilege!"Theslayersignoredhim,justcontinuedbangingatthehingesofthehugeiron-bounddoorwiththeirhammersandchisels.

"I'msorry,father,"saidFelix,"butit'stheonlyway.Itisstrongenoughandbigenough,and--"

"You'veprayedtoSigmartoprotectus,haven'tyou,priest?"interruptedKat,anedgetohervoice.

"OfcourseIhave,"saidUlfram."Constantly."

"Andwhatifthisishisanswer?"Katasked.

Thepriestopenedhismouth to retort, thenpaused,hisbrows furrowedbehind the rag thathidhiseyes. "Here it comes," saidRodi, and steppedbackas themassivedoor suddenlydropped from itshinges,thentoppledforwardstocrashdownonthetemple'sfrontstepswithadeafeningboom.

Ulframwailedatthesoundandturnedtowardsthealtaratthebackofthetemple,makingthesignofthehammeronhissunkenchest."OSigmar,ifthisbeyourwill,thengrantme--"

"We'llbebackforthealtar,"saidGotrek.

"What!"criedUlfram."No!At this Idraw the line!Youcannot--"But the threeslayershadalreadypickeduptheheavydoorandwerewalkingitouttotheircommandeeredlongboat.

Bythetimetheboatmenhadpushedtheheavy-ladenlongboatawayfromthequayandstartedrowingtowardstherivergatewithGotrek,Felix,Snorri,RodiandKatcrouchingontopoftheprecariouslybalanceddoorandaltar,itwascleartoFelixthatKemmlerhadfiguredoutwhattheyweredoingandwastryingtostopit.

Thezombies that emerged from thewatersof theharbourwereno longer shambling towardsvonVolgen's beleaguered square of defenders before the gatehouse.Now theywere bobbing up on allsidesofthelongboatandreachingfor104

its sideswith theirwater-bloatedclaws,whileat thesame time,everygiantbat in theskywasnowstreakingdownandtryingtosmashthemallintothewater.

Itwasanightmare.Felix,KatandRodicrawledupanddowntheboat,slashingat thezombies inafrenzy, as Gotrek and Snorri stumped back and forth and fought off the bats that clattered andshrieked above them,while the terrified riverwardens prayed toManann and spent asmuch timebashingzombieswiththeiroarsastheydidrowing.

Felixfearedeverysecondthattheoverloadedboatwouldcapsizeandtheywouldsinkintotheroilingstewofzombies,butsomehow--bySigmar'sgrace?--theyreachedtherivergatewithonlyafootofwaterinthebottomandonlytwooftheoarsmenpulledtotheirdeaths.

Gotrek lashed the boat length-wise to the iron bars of the gates, which allowed the boatmen toabandon their oars and takeup their cutlasses and joinKat, Felix andSnorri in the defence,whileGotrekandRodibenttotheirwork.

Felixhadneverbeeninsohecticafight.Itwasanon-stoponslaughtfromwaterandair,awhirlingmadnessofarmsandwingsandclawsandsnappingteeth,withtheboatrockingandbumpingunderhisfeet.Abatclawedhisforeheadandhefoughtonblindedbyblood.Azombiebithisankle,anditsjawsremainedlockedarounditevenafterhehadcutitsheadoff.Katweavedlikeshewasdrunk,herwhole left sidecovered inblack slime.Theboatmen fought likecornered rats, snarlingwith rabidfear.

Inthefewbriefover-the-shoulderglanceshemanaged,Felixsawthetwoslayersworkingfeverishly--fixingthedoortothegatewithlongchainsloopedarounditshingeposts,thentyingropesaroundthemassivealtar,anddoingthesametoit.

BythentheboatwaswallowingsolowinthewaterthatFelixfearedthatasinglezombielayingitshandsonitsgunwaleswouldsenditsinkingtothebottom.

"Anytime,Gotrek,"hehissedthroughclenchedteeth."Anytime."

"Nearlythere,manling,"saidGotrek.

He andRodi turned to thebowwhere twoofVolk's tunnel charges sat half-submerged.They tooklengthsofslow-burninggunner'smatchfromtheirbeltsthenturnedtotheboatmen.

"The blastwill stun the zombies in thewater and knock back any coming through the hole," saidGotrek."Itwillalsosinktheboat."

"Sinktheboat!"criedaboatman."Youdidn'tsay--"

"Youshouldhavetimetoswimtothebankbeforethezombiesrecover,"smirkedRodi."Butifyoudon't,well,atleastyoudiedsavingyourmates."Theboatmenwailedatthis,buttherewaslittletheycoulddo.GotrekandRoditouchedthegunner'smatchtothematchcordofthechargesthenpitchedthem towards the centre of the harbourwhere they splashed into thewater. Felix had been a littlesceptical of this part of the plan, but he changed his mind as he saw the sparking flame of thematchcordstillburningasitsanktowardsthebottom.

Thezombies,beingzombies,paidnoattentionandjustkeptonattacking,asdidthebats,butFelix'sheartracedinhischestashewaitedforthebangtocome.Howbigwouldtheexplosionbe?Whatifitsmashedthemallintothegate?

105

Adullthud,feltasmuchasheard,punchedthesolesofhisfeetandrockedtheboatviolentlybeneathhim,thenageyserofwater,smokeandzombiepartseruptedinthemiddleoftheharbour,sprayingthemallandsendingagreatmoundedringwavespreadinginalldirections.

"Hereitcomes!"shoutedaboatman,droppinghiscutlass.

The swell lifted themhigh, andasFelixhad feared,banged theboat against thegates,but then thewaterpassedthroughthebarsanddroppedagain.Theboatwentwithit,wallowing,thenslippingoutfromunderthechainedtempledoorandropedaltartosinkintothewater.

The boatmen swam frantically for the embankment through a sargasso of floating, unmovingzombies,butFelixandKatremainedclingingtothebarsofthegateandslashingatthewheelingbatsasthelastpiecesofGotrek'splanliterallyfellintoplace.

Astheboatsank,theheavytempledoorswungdownonitschainsuntil itvanishedunderthewaterandFelixfeltitclangflatagainsttherivergate.

"So,"saidFelix,duckingasabatsmashedintothegate."Thatsealsthehole?"

"Aye,"saidGotrek,thenslappedthebulkystoneslabofthealtar,whichstillhungfromitsropes,half-submerged,againstthegate."Andthisisthelock.Notevenabeastmancouldshiftthedoorwiththiswedgedbehindit."HeraisedhisaxeandturnedtoRodiandSnorri."Ready,Balkisson?Nosebiter?"

"Snorriisready,"saidSnorri,pullinghimselfaroundsothatheheldtheouteredgeofthealtar.

"Aye,Gurnisson,"saidRodi,liftinghisaxe.

Asone,heandGotrekcuttheropesholdingthestonetable,anditsankswiftlyintothewater.

Theslayerswentwithit,holdingitssidestoguideit,anddisappearedbeneaththedarkwater.Felixlookedaround--thefloatingzombieswerebeginningtotwitchandgroan.

"We'dbetterswimforit,"hesaid,sheathinghissword.

Katnoddedandtheystruckoutfortheembankment,onlyafewyardsawayTheboatmenhelpedthemoutofthewaterthenlookedbacktowardsthegate.

"Havetheydoneit?"askedone.

"Itdoesn'tseempossible,"saidanother.

Butastheslayers'headsbrokethesurfaceagainandtheybeganswimmingforshore,FelixnoticedthatallthebatsbankedawayfromthemandbegantoattackvonVolgen'smenagain,harassingthemfromtheairastheydefendedthegatehouseagainstthehugemobofzombiesthatsurroundedit.

"Aye,"saidFelix."Theydidit.Kemmlerhasgivenusupforanothertarget."Thethreeslayersheavedthemselvesoutofthewaterandturnedtowardsthebattleatthegatehouse.

"Comeon,"saidGotrek,wheezingashestartedforwardswithRodiandSnorri.

"Onlyafewleftnow."

FelixexchangedawearylookwithKat.Itfeltliketheyhadbeenfightingforever,buttheSlayerwasright.Patchingtheholewouldbepointlessifthezombiesthathad106

alreadygotinbrokethroughthefrontgate.HedrewhisswordandKatdrewherhatchets,andtheysloggedaftertheslayers.

Whenitwasallover,whenthelasttrappedzombiehadbeendecapitatedandthrownonthepyre,whenthefiresintheresidenceshadbeenputoutandthehandgunnersonthewallshadstolensomanyofthezombies' ladders that they could no longer continue their assault, von Geldrecht and von VolgenapproachedtheslayerswithCaptainHultzandFatherUlframandDannikenintow.Theyallinclinedtheirheadsrespectfully.

"Thank you, slayers," said von Geldrecht. "If not for your quick thinking, we would have beenoverwhelmed.CastleReikguardowesyouadebtofgratitudeitcannotrepay."

"Evenifitcostusatempledoor,"saidFatherUlfram.

"Buthowdidtheygetin?"askedvonVolgen."Didtheyburrowunderthestones?Weretheynotpiledhighenough?"

Gotrek caught his breath, then spoke. "The gatewas shattered. Like the lockmechanism. Like therunes."

VonGeldrecht closedhis eyes andgroaned. "The saboteur."VonVolgen turnedgrimeyesonhim."Youhavelearnednothingmoreofhim,lordsteward?"

"Mycaptainsassuredmetheywouldreportanysuspiciousgoings-on,"saidvonGeldrecht,shakinghishead. "But theyhavegivenmeno reports."Felix sawvonVolgen's jawclenchwith suppressedanger. "My lord, rooting out such a powerful traitor is of utmost importance. You--you must domore." He turned to Father Ulfram. "Cannot the good father discover the identity of this warlockthroughhisprayers?"

VonGeldrechtcoughedaseveryonelookedatthepriest."Ihaveasked,"hesaid.

"But--"

"But I amnotwhat Iwas," saidUlfram, raisinghisbandagedeyes towardsvonVolgen. "The fightwiththepestilentchampionIslewatGrimminhagenwasnotwonwithoutsacrifice.Ittookmysightand--and thestrengthofmyprayers.Dannikenherehasdonehisbest tohelpmerecover,but Iammuchdiminished,andSigmarhasnotseenfittoanswermeinthismatter."

VonVolgen bowed, chagrined. "Forgiveme, Father. I did not know." Felix lookedwonderingly atUlframashenoddedand lookeddownagain.The frail oldmanhad slain a championof thedarkpowers? Did that mean he had been a warrior priest during the war? It hardly seemed possible,lookingathimnow.

"Nonetheless,itwasaworthysuggestion,LordvonVolgen,"saidVonGeldrecht."Andyouareright.Imustdomore.I--Ihadthoughttokeepthesabotagequietuntilthefiendcouldbeapprehended,but--but I see now that drastic measures are required." He sighed and stared at the ground for a longmoment,thenlookedup,hissaggingfacehaggard."Hultz,informtheofficers,andyou,vonVolgen,tellyourmen.Iwilladdressthewholeofthecastleinthecourtyardtomorrowaftermorningmess.Everyonewho isnotondutywillattend--knights, footsoldiers,servantsandstaff.Everyone. Iwillexposethisvillainbeforethemonceandforall."107

"Mylord,"saidvonVolgen,uneasy."Whatdoyouintend?"

"Itisbetterthatnooneknowinadvance."VonGeldrechtturnedtoUlfram.

"Father,ifIcouldseeyouinthetemple."

"Ofcourse,lordsteward,"saidthepriest."Comewithme."DannikentookUlfram'sarmandledhimtowardsthenowdoorlesstempleasvonGeldrechtlimpedbesidehim,talkinginlowtones.Felixwasamazedat thecontrastbetweenhismemoriesof thecheerful and robustvonGeldrechthehadmetonlydaysbefore,andthefrailoldmanwhoshuffledawayfromhimnow.

HultzgaveFelix,Katandtheslayersasaluteasheturnedtostartbacktohismen."Welldonetonight,friends.Whenwehavebeeragain,thefirstround'sonme."

"Hultz,"saidvonVolgen,callinghimback."Onemoment."

"Aye,mylord."

VonVolgenshotanuncomfortableglanceattheretreatingvonGeldrecht,thenloweredhisvoice."Itisnotmyplacetoorderyou,butperhapssomeoneshouldputaguardontherivergatesothisdoesnothappenagain."Hultz too lookedaftervonGeldrecht, thennodded."Aye,my lord.Averygoodsuggestion.I'llputsomeoneonitrightaway."

HestartedawayagainandvonVolgenturnedtoFelix,Katandtheslayers."Iknowwedidnotstartwell,andIexpectnofriendshipfromyouafterhavinglockedyouupforsomethingyoudidn'tdo.ButIwishyoutoknowthatIvalueyourpresencehereasmuchasIvaluethatofmyownknights.Thankyou."Heclickedhisheels togetherandbowed, thenturnedandstrodeoff,ramrod-straight,anddid

notlookback.

"He'sstillablindfoolthatcan'ttellhisownsonfromacorpse,"saidRodi,snorting.

Gotrekspat."He'snotthefoolthatworriesme,"hesaid,thenlookedaftervonGeldrecht,whowasjust entering the templewithUlfram andDanniken. "You don't catch saboteurswith speeches.Youcatchthemintheact."

"Atrap?"askedKat.

Gotreklookedaroundthecourtyard."Awatchonhisnexttarget."

"Youknowwherehe'llstrikenext?"askedFelix.

"Well,itwon'tbetherivergate,"saidKat."NotifHultzguardsitlikehesaid."

"Thehoardings,"saidRodi."He'salreadytakenawaythewards,themoat,therivergate--whatelseisleft?"

Gotreknodded, thenturnedfor thestairs to thewalls."Findplaces tohide.We'llwatchuntil theratcomesoutofhishole.Thenwespring."Felixgroaned.Hewaswearybeyonddescription."Tonight?"

"Aye,manling,"saidGotrek."Tomorrowcouldbetoolate.Andtellnoonewhatyou'reabout.Itrustnooneinthismadhouse."

As they spread out, looking for likely vantage points, Felix felt eyes on him and turned to seeBosendorfer leadinghisgreatswordsintotheunderkeepandlookingoverhisshoulderathim.ThehateinhiseyesalmostsingedFelix'shair.

KatfoundashadowedspotontheroofofthetempleofSigmarfromwhichtowatchthecourtyard,whileSnorriandRodichoseplacesintheruinedstables,andhalf-108

burnedresidencesrespectively.FelixandGotrekchoseadarksectionofwallontheriversideofthecastle,farfromwherethehoardingshadbeenplaced,butofferingaviewofallofthem.

Nowthathehadstoppedfightingandrunningandswimmingandshouting,allofFelix'swearinessandhungerandpaincaughtuptohim,andhesaggedagainstthebattlementslikeanemptysleeve.Hehadcutsandbruisesfromheadtotoe,aloosetooth,amissingthumbnail--neitherofwhichhecouldaccountfor--andwascoveredinagrimypatinaofsmoke,sweatandharbourwater.

Howlonghadhebeenfighting?Howlongsincehehadmorethanaswallowofwaterandasinglebiscuitatasitting?Howlongsincehehadmorethanafewhoursofsleepatonce?Hewastootiredtoworkout anyof the answers.Hewas too tired to keephis headup, but at the same time,whenheclosedhiseyes,hismindscuttledaboutlikeanervouscockroach,andwouldn'tlethimsleep.

Who was the saboteur? What madness was von Geldrecht planning for tomorrow? What wouldhappen with Bosendorfer? But the image his mind returned to more than any other was GotrekbellowinginSnorri'sface.ThefriendshipbetweenthetwoslayershadhaditsupsanddownsinthetimethatFelixhadknownthem,butneveranythinglikethis.

SnorrihadnowcostGotrekatleasttwocertaindooms,andhadforcedhimtobullyRodiintoturningfromadoomaswell.ThepriceofGotrek'svowtomakesurethatSnorrireachedKarakKadrinwasgettingunbearablyhigh,andifthingsprogressedasitlookedliketheyweresureto,itcouldonlygethigher.

"Youcan'tblamehim,youknow,"hesaid,liftinghisheadfromthewall.

"Can'tblamewho?"rumbledtheSlayer,hisoneeyecontinuingtoscanthehoardings.

"Snorri,"saidFelix."Youcan'tblamehimfornotrememberingthings."

"Can'tI?"growledGotrek."IfNosebiterhadfoundhisdoomtwentyyearsagolikeaproperslayer,noneofthiswouldbenecessary."FelixglaredattheSlayer'shypocrisy."Isn'tthatthepotcallingthekettleblack?"Gotrekspatoverthewall."Leaveitalone,manling."Felixshruggedthenlaidhisheadbackdownonthewall."Idon'tknowwhyyoubother,anyway.Noneofusisgettingoutofherealive.Notyou.Notme.NotSnorri.

NotKatorRodi.NoneofuswillmakeittoKarakKadrin."Gotrekshrugged."Avowisavow,"hesaid."Andadwarfdoesn'tgiveupavowjustbecauseit'simpossible."

109

THIRTEEN"Wakeup,manling,"whisperedGotrek.

Felixjerkedhisheadup.Hedidn'tremembergoingtosleep,butapparentlyhehad.Itwasstillnight,thoughthefirsthintsofareddawnweresmudgingtheskyabovethetreestotheeast,andallseemedquiet.Handgunnerswerepatrollingthewalls,spearmenwerestandingguardontheembankmentbythe river gate, night watch crews were dragging debris out of the partially burnt residences andrepairing other wounds the castle had suffered in the battle, and the pyre of dead zombies anddefenderswasstillburninginthecourtyard.

"Whatisit?"hecroaked."Didhenotshow?"

"He'shere,"saidGotrek,andnoddedtowards thehoardings thatcovered theeasternmostcornerofthecastle."There."

Felix squinted, trying to see into theblacknessunder thehoarding, but thenhis eyewas caught bymovementontopofit.Agreyshadow,almostthesameshadeastheshinglesthatcoveredtheslantingroof, was crawling along on hands and knees, as delicate and careful as a spider, and as Felixwatched,itpausedandreachedoverthesideforperhapsthespaceoffiveheartbeats,thencrawledonagain.

"He'll hear ifwe try for him," saidGotrek. "But hewon't hear an arrow."He looked towards thetempleofSigmar."Gotothelittleone.Pointhimout.Shecan'tseehimfromwheresheis.Thengoandblock theunderkeepdoor."Felix lookeddownat the courtyard thenbackup to thehoardings."He'llseeme."Gotrekshrugged."Lotsofpeopleabout.You'llonlybeonemore.Justdon't lookathim."

Felixnodded,andcreptoff.He took the internal stairdown through the left-hand rivergate tower,thensaunteredascasuallyashecouldalongthefrontoftheknights'

residencearoundtheharbourtothecourtyard.Itwasalmostimpossiblenottoglanceinthedirectionoftheshadowonthehoardings.

Instead,hefocussedontheroofofthetempleofSigmar,andashenearedit,hesawamovementinthe shadows where it butted up against the charred wall of the officers' residence, and Kat's faceappeared,lookingathimquestioningly.

Felixnoddedhishead in thedirectionof the figureon thehoarding, twice, then, as casually ashecould,broughthishanduptohischestandmadeasmalldrawingandfiringmotion,as ifhewerepullingbackonatinybow.

Katseemedtogettheidea,forshenoddedandduckedbackintotheshadowstoliftherbowoffhershouldersanddrawanarrowfromherquiver.

Felixturnedawayfromthetempleandcrossedtotheentrancetotheunderkeep.

Thebigdoorswereshut,butthelittleinsetdoorwasopen.Hestoppedbesideit,then110

leanedagainstthesturdyoak,asifjustgettingsomeairwhilewatchingthecomingsandgoingsofthecourtyard.

Nowheallowedhimselfaglanceupatthehoarding,andsawthatthecrawlingshadowwasstillthere,andstillobliviouslyatitswork,whateverthatmightbe.Itstoppedagainatapointjustparalleltotheofficers' residence, reached down over the outer edge of the roof, paused for a few seconds andcontinuedslowlyon.

Unbeknownsttotheshadow,however,forcesweremovingagainstit.FromtheruinsofthestablestoFelix'sleftcameSnorri,walkingtowardsthestairstothewallinthewestcornerasifhehadn'tacareintheworld.ThesquatsilhouetteofRodicreptoutthefrontdoorofthehalf-guttedknights'residenceand started for the stairs in the east. Gotrek trudged along the parapet, looking out over thebattlements as if the zombiehordewas theonly thingonhismind.Andon thepeaked roofof thetempleofSigmar,Katcreptuptheslantuntilshecouldseeovertheofficers'

residence,thenduckedbackdownanddrewherbowtofullextension.

FelixheldhisbreathasKatsteppedout,pivotedandfiredallinonefluidmotion.

Itwastoodarktoseetheshaftfly,butthetherewasnoquestionthatithadflowntrue.Withasquawklikeafrightenedgoose, theshadowon thehoardingrearedup,clutching itsshoulder, thencrasheddownontheshinglesandrolledtowardstheedge.

Freedfromtheneedofcaution,theslayersspedforwards,Snorribargingthroughtheupperroomofthegatehousethenburstingouttheotherside,Rodipoundingupthestairs,Gotrekroundingtheeastcorner and passing him. Kat stood and drew back another arrow, but before she could fire, theshadowdroppedofftheedgeofthehoarding.

Felixexpectedittocrashdowndeadontheroofoftheofficers'residence,buttohissurprise,ithitonallfourslikeacat,andthoughthefallhaddefinitelyhurtit,itkeptmoving,scramblingdownthroughablackenedholeintheslatesthathadbeenmadebythefires.

Allthreeslayersjumpedfromthewallsafterit,thenstompeddowntherooftotheholeanddivedin.

Bynow,menalloverthecourtyardwerelookingupatthenoise,andasKatswungdownfromthetempleroofandranfortheresidence'sdoor,severalfellinwithher,drawingswordsanddaggersasshe drew her hatchets. Felix stayed at the underkeep door with difficulty, wanting to be in on theaction,buthehadtostaywherehewas.Inagameofcatandmouse,onehadtoguardalltheholes.

Frominsidethehalf-burntresidencecamethuddingsandcrashingsandtheroaringofdwarfs.

"Snorrihashim!"shoutedSnorri,andasecondlater,"no,hedoesn't!"ThenGotrek'svoice,enraged."Stayinyourrooms!Closeyourdoors!"AndRodi's."Getoutoftheway!"

A second later, the residence's door burst open and a black shadow shot out. Kat leapt at it first,swingingbothhatchets,butsomehowitslippedpastheranddrovethroughthecrowd,knockingthemleft and right.Themen fell all over themselves trying to catch it, but it fought through andbroke

away,thenranfortheunderkeep.

111

Felix stepped in front of the small door and raised his sword, smiling grimly.He had done rightstayingatthehole--thewisecatwhowouldgetthemousewhenalltheothershadfailed.

Theshadowcameon,neitherslowingorswerving,asKatandtheslayersandthemenofthecastleranafterit.FelixraisedKaraghulevenhigherasitranstraightathim,thenswipeddown,aimingfortheclavicle,andconnected...withnothing.Thebladecutthroughtheshadowasifitwasn'tthere,andyetasecondlaterithadshoulderedhiminthesternumhardenoughtoknockhimflat,thenranoverhimintotheunderkeep.

Felixsprangupagain,coughingandsuckingair,andplungedinafterit.Itranstraightdownthemainhall,pastthemessandthestoresinthedirectionofthebarracksattheend.Ifitreachedthemitwouldfindplentyofplacestohidewithin,andclothestochangeintotodisguiseitself.Felixcouldn'tletthathappen.Hesurgedon,pumpinghislegsasfastashecould,andwonderofwonders,hegainedonit.

Halfwaydownthehallhesprangforwardsandmadeadivingtackleatitslegs.Itwasonlyashewasflyingthroughtheairthathenoticedthatthefigurehadnoarrowstickingfromitsshoulder.

Hegrabbedatthefigure'sberobedlegsandtheywentdowntogether,butsomethingfeltverywrong.Felixdidn'tfeellegsundertherobes.Indeedtherobesdidn'tfeellikerobes.

Theyhitthefloorasone,butasthefigureslappeddown,itexplodedintoaswarmofsqueakingblackshapesthatflutteredaroundhisfacethenupintotheair.

Felixclutchedatthemwildlyandcrushedoneinhishand.Itsankneedle-sharpclawsintohisindexfingerasitstilled--atinylittlebat,butrottenwithmouldanddecay.

TherestoftheswarmloopedupandaroundandshotforthedoorjustasKatandtheslayersandtherestof themenpushed through.Theyshielded their facesas the littlebeastsbatteredpast themandvanishedintothenight.

"Whereishe?"growledGotrek,walkingtowardsFelix.

Felixstoodandheldouthishandtoshowthemangledbatcorpse."Here,"hesaid."Andtheflockthatflewoutthedoor."

Kat shookher head. "No," she said. "I hit aman. I heard himyelp.Thiswas a decoy."She startedrunningtowardsthedoor."Backtotheofficers'residence!

Quickly!"

Rodishookhishead."Hewon'tbethere.Hesentuschasinginheresohecouldslipaway."

Gotreknodded,disgusted."Welosthim."

"Butwehaven't,"saidFelix."Wejusthavetolookforamanwithawoundedshoulder."

Gotrek raised a shaggy eyebrow. "How many men in Castle Reikguard don't have a woundedshoulder?"

Felix'sheartsank.TheSlayerwasright.Afterallthefighting,everyoneinthecastlewashurtinsomeway.Eveniftheyfoundamanwithapuncturewound,howwouldtheyproveithadbeenKat'sarrowthatmadeit?

"Doyouhaveabetterplan?"Felixasked.

"Aye,"saidGotrek,walkingaway."Killeverybody.Thenwe'resuretogethim."112

Thesteward,whenhewasrousedfromhisbedandgiventhenews,seemedclosetotears."Again?"hesaid, pacingbefore theunderkeepdoors. "Again?"He stopped suddenly and turned tohis officers."Wakeeveryone,"hesaid.

"AssemblethembeforethetempleofSigmar.Iwillnotwaituntilaftermorningmesstospeak.Wewillbeginnow.Thiswillendtoday!"

"My lord," said von Volgen, who had followed von Geldrecht down from the keep like a dourshadow,"astheSlayersays,everyoneiswounded.Itwillbedifficult--"

Thestewardwavedthataway."Therewillbenoneedtocheckforwounds,"hesaid."Ihaveabetterway.Wewillfindhimout,youcanbecertainofthat."ButashewatchedvonGeldrechtlimpaway,FelixthoughtvonVolgendidn'tlookverycertainatall.

WhilethepeopleofthecastlebegantogatherinthecourtyardforvonGeldrecht'sspeech,Felix,Katand theslayerswentup to thewallsand lookedat thesectionsof thehoardings that the traitorhadvisited during his shadowy prowling, and it was Felix who found the first sign of sabotage--andnearlydiedforit.

Rememberingthatthesaboteurhadstoppedandreachedovertheouteredgeofthehoardingroofatregularintervals,Felixclimbedoutontothebattlementsandbegantoexaminetheshinglesandwallsfromtheoutside,thoughhewasn'tsurewhathewaslookingfor.Hesawnothingontheshingles,noranythingon theshoulder-highpanels thatprotected thedefenders fromairborneattacksandenemyfire,butashelookedatoneofthesupportpoststhathelduptheroof,hesawastrangeblacksquiggledrawnonthewood.

Atfirstglance,Felixtookitforacarpenter'smark,madeincharcoal,butsomethingabouttheshapeofitlookedwrong.Hegrabbedtheposttopullhimselfcloserforabetterlook,butthewoodaroundthemarksplinteredandgavewayandthepostslippedsidewaysunderFelix'sweight.OnlyafranticscrambleandawildgrabatthepanelskeptFelixfromfallingbackwardsoffthewallstotheseaofzombiesbelow.

"Felix!"criedKat,fromtheroof.

"Allright,manling?"askedGotrek,lookingup.

Felix'sheartwaspoundingsoloudasheclungtothepanelhealmostdidn'thearthem.Withinfinitecare,hepulledhimselfbackontothesolidstoneofthecrenellations,thenletoutabreath.

"I believe," he said, "Imay have found something."He pointed a trembling hand at the next post."Lookthere,nearthetop.Butdon'tputyourweightonit.Itwon'thold."

Kat and the slayers stepped to the next post, andwhen Felix could get his legsworking again, hejoinedthem,andsawthatittoohadasquiggledrawnuponit.Itwasmostdefinitelyasymbolofsomekind, but not one a carpenter evermade. It had the look of the kind of arcane glyphs he had seencarveduponancienttombsandotherplacesOfunfathomableevilthathistravelswithGotrekhadledhimto,andithadn'tbeenmadeincharcoal,butinblood,nowdriedandbrown.

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Thewoodaroundthesymbolwasadifferentcolourthantherestofthepost,paleandgrey,asifithadbeen exposed to the elements for centuries. Gotrek grunted when he saw the discolouration, thenpinchedthewoodbetweenhisfingerandthumb.Itcrumbledlikedrycheese.

Katshookherhead,dismayed."TaalandRhya,hadhemarkedeverypost..."

"Thehoardingswouldhavecollapsedentirely,"saidFelix.

"Butlikelynotuntilthestartofthenextbattle,"saidRodi,grinning."Anastylittletrap."

"Seehowmanyhemarked,"saidGotrek.

Butbeforetheywereabletocheckmorethanafew,ahornblared,andClassen'svoicerangfromthecourtyard.

"Fallin!Fallin!LordStewardvonGeldrechtwillspeak!"Gotrekgroundhisteethandglareddownattheassembledcrowd."Therearethingstobedone."

"Aye,"saidRodi."Replacetheseposts.Openthedikeandfloodthemoatagain..."

"Killmorezombies,"saidSnorri.

But the threeslayers turnedandstarted for thestairsnonetheless,andFelixandKat followed themdownintothecrowd.

Themoodofthemenastheysqueezedthroughtothefrontwassullenatbest.

Soldierswhohadonlyafewhoursagokilledoffthelastoftherivergatezombiesweregrumblingaboutnotbeingallowedtosleepnorgettingtoeatordrinkbeforeliningup.Menfromthemorningwatches,whosejobitwastorepairthedamagesincurredinthebattle,grumbledaboutnotbeingableto get on with their work. The servants grumbled about being dragged away from preparing thebiscuitandwater.

Felixfeltforthemall.HeandKathadn'thadaminute'srestsincehedidn'tknowhowlong--nordiditlookliketheywouldgetanotherminuteanytimesoon.

But they were hardly the worst off in attendance. Even the wounded had been trundled out to the

courtyard and lay or sat or slumped where they had been put, while Sister Willentrude and herinitiatesstoodwearilyamongthem,lookingangrierthaneveryoneelseintheaudiencecombined.

Wheneveryonehadquieted,vonGeldrechtwalkedupthestepsofthetempleofSigmarandturnedtostandwithSergeantClassen,LordvonVolgenandGrafinAveleinReiklander.FatherUlframandhisacolyte waited behind them, while Bosendorfer and his greatswords flanked the steps, their hugebladesdrawnandpointdownatparaderest.Whatwasthereasonforthat,wonderedFelix?

"DefendersofCastleReikguard,"calledvonGeldrecht,hishaggardfacestarkinthelightofthestill-burningcorpse-pyre."IhavegatheredyouheretodayinGrafReiklander'sname..."

HeinclinedhisheadtoGrafinAveleinatthis,butshedidnotacknowledgeit,onlystaredglassy-eyedintothemiddledistance,astrangehalf-smileonherlips.

VonGeldrechtcoughedandbeganagain."Ihavegatheredyou inGrafReiklander'sname, I say, inordertobroachaseriousmatter--andtoendit!"Hisvoicecrackedashetriedforemphasis,andhiseyes,asheglaredaroundatthemall,114

glitteredwildly."Thereisatraitoramongus,asorceroussaboteurwhoisweakeningourdefences!"

Amurmurroseatthat,butvonGeldrechtwaveditdownwithawearyarm.

"Yes!"he cried. "A traitor!Acollaboratorwith that foulnecromancerwhohides in thewoodsandsendshisfilthycorpsesagainstus.Itisthistraitorwhoshatteredtherunesofwardingthatprotectedourwalls, hewhodrained themoat, hewho tore the hole through the river gate.But his reign ofsabotageendstoday!Thismorning--

hereandnow--wewillflushhimout!"

ThemurmuringofthecrowdgrewlouderasvonGeldrechtturnedtoFatherUlfram.

"Father,"hesaid,"letusbegin."

Father Ulfram hesitated, seemingly reluctant, then signalled to Danniken. The gaunt young manbowed,thensteppedtoaroughwoodentablesettooneside.Onitwassomethingwrappedinsablefur.Hehesitatedandseemedtopray,thengatheredupthebundleinhisarmsascarefullyasifitwereabomb,andreturnedwithittoUlfram.Asthepriestbowedbeforeit,Dannikendelicatelyunfoldedthe bundle to reveal a gold-filigreed, jewel-encrusted warhammer of incredible workmanship,gleamingredattheedgesinthelightofthepyre.

"Behold!"saidvonGeldrecht,holdingoutahandtoit."TheHammerofJudgement,firstcarriedbyFredericktheBold,thegreat-grandfatherofourbelovedEmperor,KarlFranz.LonghasitsatinthefamilyvaultsofCastleReikguard,butwheneverthereiseviltobevanquished,itisbroughtforth,forits very touch destroys the unrighteous, and burns themwith the holy fire of Sigmar's twin-tailedcomet."Danniken'shandstrembledasheheldoutthemassivesacredhammertoFatherUlframinitsbedoffurs."Itishere,father."

Theblindpriestreachedoutuntilhetouchedit,thenlifteditwithonehandandbeganaprayerasheheld it over his head. Hemight be a shadow of his former self, thought Felix, but he must have

retainedsomeofhisstrengthtoliftaweaponlikethat.Itlookedasifitweremadeofsolidgold.

AsFatherUlframprayed,vonGeldrechtsurveyedthecrowdwithtoo-brighteyes."Eachofyou,"hesaid,"willcomeforwards,oneata time,and layhandson thehammer.Our traitorwillbe theonewhoseimpurefleshburnsatthetouchofsoholyarelic!Atwhichtime..."HenoddedtoBosendorferand the greatswords. "We will kill him immediately. He who refuses this test will also be killedimmediately."FelixturneduneasilytoGotrekasthecourtyardburstintoanxiouswhispering.

"Doyouthinkthiswillwork?"heasked."Doyouthinkthehammerhasthepowershesaysithas?"

"Thatdoesn'tmatter,"Gotrekgrunted."Thetraitorwon'ttouchit."

"ButvonGeldrechtsaideveryonehastotouchit,"saidKat.

BeforeGotrekcouldanswer,anangryvoicecalledoutfromamongthewounded.

"Youhaveforgottensomesuspects,mylord!Shouldn'tTauberandhisassistantstakethetestaswell?"

ThewholecourtyardturnedtoseeSisterWillentrudeglaringatvonGeldrechtwithhaggardeyes.

115

Felix looked around, his anger rising.Was she right?Was Tauber not there? Had von Geldrechtforgottenhim?Orhadhelefthimoutonpurpose?Wasthisanothersignofthestrangeconnectionbetweenthe twomenthathadcausedvonGeldrecht tohidehimawayfromBosendorfer--andkeephimfromhisduties?Hisangerboiledover,whenhesawthatDraegerandhismilitiamenhadbeenbroughtoutfromtheircells,butnotTauber.

"Yes!"Felixcried."WhereisTauber?Lethimprovehisinnocencesohecangetbacktowork."

"Andifheburns?"mutteredGotrek.

Felix'sheartlurched.Hehadn'tthoughtofthat,butifTauberwasatraitorafterall,thenthatwasallthemorereasonforhimtotakethetest.

"We alreadyknowwhatTauber is," called the steward, looking nervously fromFelix to the sister."Thereisnoneedtotesthim."

"Thenyouliedbefore, lordsteward!"criedWillentrude."Yousaidyouwereholdinghimuntilyoucoulddeterminehisguilt.Ifyouknowheisguilty,whyhaven'tyoukilledhim?Bringhimout!"

The courtyard began tomurmur in agreement, some because theywantedTauber to burn, some--mostlythewounded--becausetheywantedhimfreed,butallseemedtoagreeheshouldbetested.

VonGeldrecht looked like hewas going to explode. "This is not about Tauber!" he said. "This isaboutfindingafurtherman!"

"ButwhatifTauberistheonlyone?"saidFelix."Whatifhehasthepowertoslipthroughhisbarslikemist?Or a swarm of bats?"VonGeldrecht opened hismouth tomake another argument, but

voiceswerecryingoutfromallaroundtheyardnow,drowninghimout.

"TestTauber!"

"Lethimburn!"

"Freehim!"

Von Geldrecht's eyes darted around, frightened. Felix smirked. The steward would have to bringTauber out now, or he'd have an insurrection on his hands. But then Felix glanced towardsBosendorfer, and saw that his eyes were gleaming with excitement, and his hands were clenchedaroundthehiltofhistwo-handedsword.

"Verywell!"shoutedvonGeldrechtoverthecriesofthecrowd."Verywell!

Tauberwillbe tested!"He turned to twoofhishouseholdknightsandgave themakey. "Bring thesurgeonandhisassistants."

Felixgroanedastheknightssalutedandtrottedtothestairstothekeep.

"Sigmar,"hesaid."We'vesignedhisdeathwarrant."

"Whose?"askedKat."Tauber's?Youthinkhe'sguilty?"Felixshookhishead."LookatBosendorfer.Doyouthinkhe'llwaitforTauber'sguilttobeprovedbeforehestrikes?"

Kat'seyeswidened."Shallya'smercy."

"Now,"raspedvonGeldrecht,leaningheavilyonhiscane."Iftherearenofurtherinterruptions,wewillbegin."HeturnedtoGrafinAvelein."Grafin,ifyouwillgofirst,wewillkeepyounolonger."

116

Aveleinwokefromherdazeandnodded.Bosendorfer'smentensedandthewholecourtyardhelditsbreath as she steppedupandwithouthesitation laidbothhandson the sacredhammer,bowingherheadinprayer.Whenshefailedtoburstintoflames,thecrowdletouttheirbreath.

"Thankyou,Grafin,"saidvonGeldrecht.

Shecurtseyedtohim,thendriftedofftowardsthestairstothekeep,thehalf-smilestillonherface.Felix watched her curiously, her behaviour breaking through his anxiety about Tauber andBosendorfer.Whathadhappenedtoherearliersadness?Wasthegrafrecovering?

"Spearmen,"calledvonGeldrecht."Stepforwards."

The spearmen marched forwards, led now by a sergeant Felix didn't know. There were less thantwentyof themnow.Thecrowdquietedagainas thesergeantreachedoutandtouchedthehammer,andagainletoutabreathwhennothinghappened.Astherestofthespearmenadvancedandlaidtheirhandsonthehammeronebyonewithoutincident,thetensionbeforeeachtouchlessened,butstill,noonelookedanywhereelse.

After the spearmen had finished, Bosendorfer's men pointed them to the big open doors to theunderkeep,andsenttheminsidetowait.Thiswastomakesurethatnoonewhohadn'tyettakenthetestcouldslipinamongstthosewhohad.

HalfwaythroughtestingHultz'shandgunners,thetwoknightswhohadrunoffreturned,leadingasad,shufflingcoffleoffilthymen.IttookFelixamomenttorecognisetheskinny,unshavenfigureattheirheadasTauber.Thesurgeon'ssuperiorsneerandthesharpeyesweregone,replacedbyadull,slack-mouthedstare.

FelixwatchedBosendorferasTauberwasbroughttothefrontofthecrowd,afraidhewasgoingtoattackthenandthere,butthegreatswordonlystaredatthesurgeon,hardandcold,andstayedathispost.

Felix thought von Geldrecht would test Tauber immediately and get it over with, but he did not.Instead he called up Classen and the household knights, and had them touch the hammer whileBosendorferandhisgreatswordsstoodreadytostrikethemdown,thenhehadBosendorferandhisgreatswordstouchthehammerwhileClassenandhisknightsstoodreadytostrikethemdown.Nooneburstintoflames.

After that came Sister Willentrude and her initiates and then the wounded, while Tauber and hisassistantscontinuedtostandandwait.WhywasvonGeldrechtdoingitthisway,Felixwondered?Washesavingthebestforlast?WasheafraidTauberwouldn'tburstintoflames,andwantedtodelaytheinevitable anticlimax?Then it came tohim.Hewasn't afraidnothingwouldhappen.Hewas afraidTauberwouldactuallyburn.

"HethinksTauber'sguilty!"hewhispered."Andhedoesn'twanthimtobe."

"Aye,"saidKat."You'reright.Butwhy?"

Felixshrugged.Hehadnoidea.

Ittookalmostahalf-hourforthewoundedtobetested,formanyhadtobecarriedupandliftedsothattheycouldtouchthehammer.Someweresoweaktheyhadtohavetheirhandsplaceduponitforthem.Somehadnohands.

"How is a man like that supposed to have crawled across the hoardings?" growled Kat. "VonGeldrechtisafool."

117

The servants camenext--cooks,menials,maids,grooms, theblacksmith, carpenter andall the rest,andthentherefugeefarmersandalltheother"guests"ofthecastle.

VonVolgen andhisTalabeclanderswent first, as dignified as they could, under the circumstances,thenDraegerandhismilitiamen,assullenasever,andthenitwasFelix'sturn.Hescowledasheputhis handon the hammer, butmade no complaint, only gave vonGeldrecht awithering look as hesteppedasidetowailforKatandtheslayers.KatslappedthehammercontemptuouslyandmadethehornsofTaalrightafter.Gotrekturnedthehammerbytheheadandsquintedatit.

"Notbadforhumanwork,"hesaid.

"Betterthanelvishatleast,"saidRodi,runningathumbalongthegoldscrolling.

"Snorrithinksitsoundshollow,"saidSnorri,tappingitwithathickforefinger.

Astheyreachedthedoortotheunderkeep,FelixturnedtowatchasvonGeldrechtcalledthemenoffthewallsoneatatimeandthensentthemback.Then,finally,therewasnooneleftbutTauberandhisassistants.

VonGeldrechtglaredandchewedhis lip, thenmotioned for them tobebrought forwards.Hewasalmostcringingastheyapproached,andhisbrowwasbeadedwithsweat.

FelixshotaglanceatBosendorfer.Thegreatsword'seyesweregleamingandhisswordwasrising.Felix'sheartthudded.Hewasgoingtodoit!Andnoonewouldseeuntilitwastoolate.TheywerealltoobusylookingatTauber.

"Bosendorfer!" he cried. "Will you strike before you know?" The shout snapped the greatswordaround, and turned every head towards him and Felix. Bosendorfer froze in the glare of theirscrutiny,his swordstillheldhigh, ready tostrike,and rageandguiltquickly reddeninghim to therootsofhishair.HeturnedonFelix,snarling.

"Youseektoembarrassmewithalie?Idonotdisobeyorders,meinherr!"Felixheldhiseyeforamoment,thenbowed."Forgiveme,captain.Imusthavebeenmistaken."

Bosendorferdidn't look likehewanted to forgive,butvonGeldrechtsteppedforwardsandbangedhiscane."Captain!Yourduty!"

Bosendorfer pulled his eyes away from Felix with difficulty, then turned back to Tauber and hisassistants and went on guard. Felix let out a relieved sigh. Now that he knew everyone would bewatchinghim,Bosendorferwouldn'tdarestrikeTauberwithoutcause.

VonGeldrechthadthesurgeon'sassistantstouchthehammerfirst--stilldelayingwhateveritwashefeared--butatlastitwasTauber'sturn.Thecrowdintheunderkeepdoorwaybecameabsolutelysilent,staring intently as the surgeon reached out his trembling hand towards the hammer. Felix's eyesflickedceaselesslyfromTaubertoBosendorfertovonGeldrecht.

Taubertouchedthehammer.

Hedidn'tburstintoflames.

FelixletouthisbreathasBosendorferonlystared,hisgreatswordtremblinginwhite-knuckledhands,buthedidnotstrike.Heseemedgenuinelysurprisedthatthesurgeonhadpassedthetest.

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Thesurgeonsteppeddullyback,thenturnedandshuffledfortheunderkeepdoorwithhisassistantsasvonGeldrechtletoutasighofhisown.HeseemedmorerelievedthanTauberhimself.

ThestewardmotionedweaklyforFatherUlframtoputthehammeraway,butbeforeDannikencouldstepforwardswiththefurs,someonebehindFelixcalledout,

"Andyerself,lordsteward?"

VonGeldrechtglaredtowardsthespeaker,butthensteppedtothehammerandlaidbothhandsonit,bowinghisheadoveritlikeGrafinAveleinhad.Hedidn'tburstintoflameseither.

TherewasasnickeringfromthecrowdintheunderkeepdoorasFatherUlframlaidthehammerbackintothefursandDannikenfoldedthemup.

"Andwhatexactlydidthatprove,Goldie?"shoutedanothervoicefromtheback.

VonGeldrechtturnedandsnarledatthem,hisfacesalmon-red."Out!"heroared.

"Out of that hole and fall in! I will address you all!" Everyone groaned and cursed, but no onerefused,andall shuffledout tostandbeforevonGeldrechtagainashepaced the topof the templesteps.

"ItseemsourtraitoriswilierthanIthought,"hesaid."Eitherhehasusedhisdarkpowerstoprotecthimself from thegreathammer'spurity,orhehashiddenhimselfwherewecannot findhim.So itseems I must appeal, again in Graf Reiklander's name, to your love of your Empire and yourfellows."

He straightened and looked around, his eyes flashing from man to man. "One of you must stepforwardsandsaveusall,foroneofyouknowswhothetraitoris!"Thisraisedaconfusedmuttering,andFelixcouldhearsomeangrywhispersaswell.

"Idonotmeanthatyouarealsoatraitor,"saidvonGeldrechtagainsttheuglydrone."Idonotmeananyoneisintentionallyhidingthisvillainfromtherestofus.Imeanthatoneofyou,perhapsmorethanone,hasseenacomradedosomething, somethingstrangeoroutofcharacter, something thatmadeyoufrownforamoment,butwhichyouthendismissedasnothing.Youtoldyourselfyoumustnothaveseencorrectly.Itmusthavebeensomeharmlessgestureorinnocenteccentricity.Well,itwasnot!"VonGeldrechtbroughthisvoicetoacrackingroar."Itwaswitchcraft!

Andthoughyouknewitnot,yousawit!Whatwasit?Whowasit?Iwanteachoneofyoutothinkbackandremember.Wherewereyou?Whowereyouwith?Whatdidtheydo?Wasitastrangetwistof the hand?Awhisper in a foreign tongue?Did they lurk in certain places for too longwith noreason?"

The whispering grew louder. The men started glaring around at each other while their sergeantsbarkedfororder.VonVolgenstaredatthestewardlikehewantedtokickhimdownthestairs.

"Fatfool,"mutteredGotrek.

"Aye,"saidFelix."They'llbeburningeachotheratthestakebeforehe'sdone."

"Andwhen you remember," continued vonGeldrecht, "when those seemingly innocent actions arerevealedinyourmindforwhattheytrulywere,cometome.Nottoanyoneelse!Nottoyourcaptain,

not toyour comrades.Onlyme. Iwill dowhatmustbedone."VonGeldrecht spreadhis armsandbowedhishead."Now,Ithankyouforyourpatience.Youaredismissed.Returntoyourduties."119

Butasthesteward,thepriest,vonVolgenandClassenturnedtotalkamongstthemselves,thecrowddidnotdisperse.Insteadtheyclumpedtogetherinlittleknotsandbegantoargueamongstthemselves,withmanyawaryglanceovertheirshouldersateveryoneelse.

Felixgroanedtoseeit.

Katshookherhead."Howaretheygoingtofighttogetherwhennoneofthemtrusteachother?"

"Aye,"saidFelix."He's--"

But he cut off as he saw the household knights falling in around Tauber and his assistants andmotioning themback towards thekeepalongwithDraegerandhismen.Whatwas this?Hestartedforwards,butSisterWillentrudebeathimtoit.

"Mylord,"sheshouted,pushingtowardsvonGeldrecht,"areyougoingtolockSurgeonTauberupagain now that he has passed your test? Surely if he has touched the Hammer of Judgement ofFredericktheBoldandnotburstintoflames,thatisproofthatheisinnocent,andifheisinnocent,youmustfreehimsothathecancareforthewounded."

VonGeldrechtturnedonheragain,lookingassickasamutantconfrontedbywitchhunters,butthenhecomposedhimselfasthewholecrowdquietedtolisten.

"Thetestwasinconclusive,"hesaid,liftinghisbeardedchins."Sinceitprovednoone'sguilt,itdidnotproveTauber'sinnocence.Icannotallowhimtogofree."Thereweremurmursatthis.Oneofthewoundedshouted,"Freehim!"Anothershouted,"PutBosendorferinhisplace!Lethimrot!"

"Thenwillyoulocktherestofusup?"shoutedFelix,steppingforwardstostandwiththesister."Asitdidn'tproveour innocenceeither?"VonGeldrecht'seyesflared."HerrJaeger, ifyouspeakanotherword,Iwillcertainlyhaveyoulockedup!Now,disperse,allofyou.Tauberremainsourprisoner.

Thatisanendtoit!"

He turned away, limping angrily towards the keep as the men of the castle watched after him,mutteringandwhisperingdangerously.

"I'mbeginning to thinkweshoulddo itGotrek'sway,andkilleverybody,"saidKat, then turned tofollow the slayers, who were crossing the yard to tell Carpenter Bierlitz about the weakenedhoardings.

Felix nodded, distracted, but continued to stare after von Geldrecht. There was most definitelysomethingbetweenthestewardandTauber.Thatwastheonlywaytoexplainhisactions.HehadbeendeathlyafraidTauberwouldburstintoflames,andrelievedwhenhedidn't.Yethewouldnotreleasehim.Why?

PerhapslaterFelixcouldgetvonGeldrechtaloneandgetanansweroutofhim,butnotjustnow.Hedidn'tseeminthemoodfortalkingatthemoment.FelixsighedandmadetofollowKat,butinstead

found himself chest to chest with Captain Bosendorfer, who was staring at him with pure hatredblazingfromhisice-blueeyes.

120

FOURTEENFelixsteppedback,hishanddroppingtohishilt."Youwishtospeaktome,captain?"

"Iwish tohaveyourhead,meinherr,"Bosendorfer snarled. "Youhavebeenadisruptingpresencesince you entered these walls, countermanding my orders to my men, and now accusing me ofdishonourableconduct,andIdemandsatisfaction."Felixsighed.Didthishavetostartnow?Hewassotired.Tootiredtoargue.TootiredtoFight.Hejustwantedtowalkpastthecaptainandgotosleep.

Bosendorfer's eyeswidened. "Do you sneer atme,mein herr?Was that a laugh?" Felix rolled hiseyes."Thatwasasigh,captain.Awearysigh.Ihavebeenawakeafulldaynow,andhavedonealittlefightingalongtheway.So--"

"AndyousuggestthatIhaven't?ThatIhavelessreasontobewearythandoyou?"

"Ofcoursenot,captain,"saidFelix."Wehaveallfoughthard.Ijustwanttogotosleep,that'sall."

"Not before you apologise for your actions," he said. "Not before you admit your accusations ofdishonourableconductarefalse."

OutofthecornersofhiseyesFelixsawKatandtheslayersturningbacktoseewhatthematterwasonone side, and Bosendorfer's greatswords moving in on the other. All over the yard, people wereturningtheirheads.

"I never accused you of dishonourable conduct, captain," said Felix, rubbing his forehead. "Imayhavewarnedyouagainst it justnow,but Iamwilling tobelieveyounever intended it.And,on thewall?"heshrugged."Iapologiseforcallingorderstoyourmen,butthereseemednootherwaytogetthembackaftertheyhadfled--"BosendorferslappedFelixacrossthecheek.Itnearlyknockedhimtotheground.

Kat cried out and ran forwards, drawing her skinning knife,with the slayers striding in after her.FelixcaughtherarmasshemadetoputthebladetoBosendorfer'sthroat.

"No,Kat!"heshouted.Thestingoftheslapwasmakinghimtearup."Slayers,stayback!"

"Youlie,meinherr!"criedBosendorfer."Wedidnotflee!Notforaninstant!"FelixheldKatbackasthe three dwarfs ranged around to his left, ready to join in at hisword.The greatswordswere onguardonhisright,butone,thegrizzledsergeantwhohadfoughtbesideFelixagainsttheghoulsfromthesiegetower,wassteppingtoBosendorferandputtingahandonhisshoulder.

"Captain,please,"hesaid."What'stofightabout?Webroke,andwecameback.

Noonewillsay--"

121

"Ididnotbreak,Leffler!" shoutedBosendorfer, knocking the sergeant'shandaside and turningon

him."Iretreatedingoodorderforyoursafety,andwewouldhavetakenupanewpositionhadnotHerr Jaeger, against all standards ofmilitary conduct, countermandedmy orders and usurpedmyauthority!"Thesergeant lookeduncomfortable."That'sasmaybe,captain.Butwedon'tneed tobefightingeachotheroverthingsthathappenedintheheatofbattle.Notwhenthere'stenthousanddeadbastardsoutthereandweneedeverymaninhere.

HerrJaeger--"

"Areyoudefendinghim,Leffler?"criedBosendorfer."Againstyourowncaptain?"

"No,captain,no,"saidLeffler,holdinguphishands."I'monlysaying,ifyouwanttochallengehim,whynotwaituntilwe'reclearofthis?Untilwecandoitproper.Untilyou'reallrestedandready."

Bosendorferlookedatthesergeantforamoment,hiseyeslevelandcold,thendroppedhisgazetohimself.HelookedasbatteredatFelixfelt--hisarmourdented,crustedrimesofbloodonhisarms,neckandchin,andabandagearoundonehandthatwasstiffandblack.

"Verywell,"hesighedatlast."Verywell,whenweareclear."HeturnedonFelixagain,eyesblazingasfiercelyasbefore."ButIwillhavesatisfaction,andifyouinsultmeagain,orcomebetweenmeandmymen,Iwillnotwait.Wewillresolveitbetweenusthenandthere!"

Felixinclinedhishead."Verygood,captain."

Bosendorfersnortedandstalkedaway,headhigh.

SergeantLefflerstartedafterhim,thenlookedbacktoFelixwithanapologeticshrug."He'sagoodlad,meinherr,"hemurmured."Butyoungerthanhisbrotherwas."

Felixnoddedwearily,thenletKatoutfromtheprisonofhisarms.

"Youshouldhaveletmekillhim,"shesaid,curlingherlip."Anddoneusallafavour."

"Aye," said Rodi. "That one will never be old enough to be a captain." Gotrek shrugged. "Don'tworry,"hesaid."Nooneherewillgetmucholder."HenoddedtoFelix."Getsomesleep,manling.Whenyouwake,we'llseeaboutthemoat."

Felixnoddedagain,anditalmostcarriedhimover.HecaughthimselfagainstKat,andtheystaggeredtowardstheresidences.

"Let'shope,"saidKat,"ourroomisn'tonethatburned."WhenFelixwokeagain,thedayhadalreadytippedpastnoon,andKatwasnotbesidehim.Heliftedhisheadup,afraidshehadansweredsomecallto action that hehad slept through, but all that came through the room's shatteredwindowwas thenormalhammeringandthuddingofrepairs,andhesaggedback,groaning.Hismusclesweresostiffitfeltasifhehadbeendriedonaracklikehard-tack,hisheadthrobbedlikehehadahangoverandhismouthtastedlikehehadeatenamuddyshoe.Hedesperatelyneededadrinkofwater,butfelttootiredtogetoutofbed.This122

wasthetimewhenoneneededaservant.Aservantwouldbringonewateratthepullofarope.

Helookedupoverthebed.Therewasnopullrope.Therewashardlyaceiling.

Thoughtheroomhadnot,asKatfeared,burned,oneofKemmler'strebuchetshaddroppedaboulderthroughitsometimeduringthebattlelastnight.Theboulderhadmissedthebedbyinches,andnowlaywherethechairhadbeen.Ah,well.Hewouldjusthavetogetthewateronhisown,then.

Heleveredhimselfupoutofthebed,hissingandbarkingwithpain,thenpulledonhispaddedjackandchainshirtandstrappedonKaraghul.Thesky,whenhesteppedoutintothecourtyard,waslowandgrey,andtheairwetandcold.HelookedaroundforKatandspottedheratlastupontheparapet,leaningagainstthebattlementsandlookingoutoverthewallsnearwhereBierlitzandhismenwerereplacingthehoardingpoststhatthesaboteurhadweakenedwithhissorcery.Theslayersweredownat the far eastern corner of thewalls, looking down towards the closed dike and talking amongstthemselves.

Felixstepped into theunderkeepandwaited in line forhisswallowofwaterandhissinglebiscuit,thencamebackouttothecourtyardandcrossedthestairstothewall.Aroundhimteamsofmenwerecontinuingtheseeminglyendlesstaskofpilingdecapitatedbodiesontheeternalpyres,whileothersfishedbloatedcorpsesoutof theharbourwithboathooks.Theriverwardenswereallby therivergateintheirremainingoarboats,addingtothemakeshiftpatchthatGotrekandtheslayershadmadelast night andmaking itmore permanent,while everywhere themen sharpened theirweapons andrepairedtheirkitinpreparationforthebattlethatwassuretocomewiththesunset.

Despiteallthisactivity,themoodofthecastlecouldnothavebeenmorepoisonous.TheaftermathofvonGeldrecht'sspeechwasjustwhatFelixhadfeared.

Themenofthevariouscompaniesallwhisperedamongstthemselvesandshotsuspiciouslooksatalltheothercompanies,lookingforsignsofsorcerousbehaviour.

SomeweremutteringaboutfreeingTauberandbringinghimbacktothesurgery.

Someweremutteringaboutbreakingintohiscellandmurderinghim.

FatherUlframandDannikenshuffledfromgrouptogroup,apparentlytryingtoeasethetension,butitdidn'tseemtobeworking.WhoevertheytalkedtojustpointedfingersatoneoftheothergroupsortoldthemtogopreachatvonGeldrechtandBosendorfer.

Whenhereachedthetopofthestairs,FelixcrossedtowhereKatwasstaringoutoverthemistyfieldsandtheseaofzombies,herchininherhands.Felixleanedbesideherandfollowedhergaze.Offbythetreeline,newbone-and-skinsiegetowerswerebeingerected,threethistime,asuglyastheothers,andmoreballistaeandtrebuchetsweregrowingaswell.Hegroanedashesawthem.

"We'llhaveittodoalloveragain,eh?"hesaid.

Katdidn'tanswer.

"Atleastthistimewecanbefairlysuretheywon'tgetintotheharbour."Shestilldidn'tanswer.

Felixlookedather."Somethingwrong?"

Herjawbunchedandherbrowlowered."Ihatethem,"shesaid.

"Thezombies?"

123

"Notthezombies."Sheglaredoverhershoulderattheyard."Them.Themen.

Theknightsandspearmenandgunners.Allofthem."

Felixfrowned.Hewasfeelinglessthancharitabletowardsthemhimself,justthen,buthedidn'tknowwhysheshouldbe."IfthisisaboutBosendorfer,forgethim.

I've already put him out ofmymind.He hasn't been giving you trouble, has he?"Kat blew out abreath."Itdoesn'thaveanythingtodowithhim.It'sallthewhispering,andthebackbitingandthe...Idon'tbelonghere,Felix."Shepointedouttothedarkbandoftheforest."Ibelongthere,inthewood,doingwhatI'mgoodat.Ijustdon'tunderstandthese...these...Whydowehelpthemwhenthey'resoawful?"Sheturnedtofacehim,hereyesglistening."IhavesworntoridtheDrakwaldofbeastmenandprotect theEmpire, butwhen I come into the towns, or to a castle, people are just--vile!Theycheateachother,theyfighteachother,shoutateachother.Theymightjointogetherwhenthingsareat theirworst,butas soonas the trouble isover, they'reback toblamingeachother forwhatwentwrongandtryingtotakemorethantheirshare!"

Felixshrugged,feelinghelpless."That'sjusthumannature,Kat.We'vealwaysbeena--"

"ThenIdon'twanttobehuman!"

Felixlookedaroundtoseeifanyonehadheardheroutburst.Thatwasnotthesortofthingonesaidina land ofwitch hunters andmutants.He turned her around to face him,meaning to speak, but sheclungtohimsuddenly,hangingherhead.

"I'msorry,Felix,"shesaid."Idon'tmeanit.Notreally.I just--sometimesIwishIcouldgointotheforestandnevercomeoutagain."Felixsighedandstrokedherhair."Iknowhowyoufeel,"hesaid."TherearetimeswhenIwishGotrekandIhadnevercomebacktotheEmpire.Butthereareothertimes,"hekissedthetopofherhead,"whenIwishIhadcomehomesooner."

"Iwishyouhadtoo."Katsmiledupathim."Iwillbebetterwhenwegetfreeofthisplace--ifwegetfree.I'malwaysbetterwhenIammoving."Felixwonderedif thatwasthecasewithhimtoo.Ithadbeensolongsincehehadstayedinoneplaceforanylengthoftimethathehadnoideahowhewouldfaresettleddown.

Acursefromdownthewalldrewtheirattentiontotheslayers,andtheybrokefromtheirembrace.

Gotrekwasstill leaningoutoverthebattlementsandchewinghisthumbwithadistractedair,whileSnorri appeared to be trying to spit on asmany zombies as he could, butRodiwas pounding thebattlementswithhisfist.

"Andwhy not?" he bellowed. "Itwould be a glorious doom." Felix andKat started down thewalltowardsthemandheardGotrekreplywithoutlookingaround.

"You can go over the side anytime you want, Rodi Balkisson, but I'm not wasting so muchblackpowderonagloriousfailure."

"Itwon'tfail!"saidRodi."YouthinkIcan'tcutmywaythroughapackofcorpseswithafewkegsofblack-powderonmyback?DoyouthinkI'msomeweakhuman?"

124

"Look at it, Balkisson," said Gotrek, pointing down at the dike with a stubby finger. "Blowingyourselfupinfrontofitwouldhardlysplinterthewood."FelixandKatleanedthroughthegapinthehoardingsandlookedwhereGotrekwaspointing.Thedikewassetintoheavystonerampartsbuiltatanangletotheriverbank,sothatwhenitsdoorswereopen,thewaterwouldrusheasilyintothemoatlike itwasabranchof theriver.Whenthedoorswereclosed,however,asnow, thewatersmashedintotheminaconstantfoamingcrest,angryatbeingdenieditsnaturalpath.Theythereforeneededtobestrong--andtheywere.Eachofthefoot-thickoakandirontitanslookedtoFelixtobeabouttwentyfeethigh,andtheywereheldclosedagainstthepoundingwaterbytwogreatoakbeamsthatslottedoutacrossthemfromthestonebanks,onenearthetop,andonenearthebottom.

"Atleastfourchargesmustbeset,"saidGotrek."Twobehindeachbeam,andfuseslaidtoblowthemallasone."

"Whatofit?"saidRodi."Icandoallthat."

Gotreksnorted,thennoddedtowardsthescoresofzombiesthatmilledaroundonthestonebanksofthedike."Andcanyoualsokeep thecorpsesfromrippingoutonefusewhileyouset thenext?Orknockingthechargesloose?"Rodiopenedhismouth,stilldefiant,buthadnoanswer.

"Therearesome thingsevenaslayercannotdoalone," saidGotrek, then lookedbackdownat thedike."Wewaitfortonight'sattack,whenthenecromancer'sattentionisonthewalls.Thenwewillgo."

Roditurnedaway,disgusted,butSnorriwipedthespitfromhisbeardandlookedup.

"Snorri likes this plan," said Snorri. "Snorri has been growing a little tired of staying inside thiscastle."

"Youwillstayonthewalls,Nosebiter,"saidGotrek."OnlyI,Balkissonandthemanlingwillgo."

Snorri'sfacefell."Snorridoesn'tlikethisplan."

"NeitherdoesKat,"saidKat,sullen.

Gotreklookedather."Youwillkeepussafefromspyingeyes,littleone,"hesaid."Flyingeyes."

Katnoddedassherealisedwhathemeant,butFelixcouldseethatshewasstilldisappointed.Snorriwasn't the only one tired of staying inside the castle. Felix, on the other hand, would have beenperfectlyhappytoremainonthewalls.

Withasighhepulledhisheadbackthroughthehoarding,butashedid,somethingcaughthiseye.Onthesupportpostnexttohimwasafamiliarlittlesquiggle,andthewoodarounditwaswitheredand

dry.Felixfrownedandlookeddownthewall.Bierlitzandhismenwerereplacingapostaboutfiftypacesalong.

"Havethecarpentersnotgottothispostyet?"heasked.

Gotrekturnedtohim."Theyreplaceditthismorning.Why?"Felixpointedtothesymbolashisgutssank."Thenwhencouldthishavebeendone?"

Katandtheslayerssteppedcloserandlookedatthepost.Gotrektouchedthebloodwithhisfinger.Itsmeared.Ithadn'tfullydriedyet.

"Today,"hesaid."Withinthehour."

125

Rodi scowled. "We've been talking almost that long:Did the bastard do itwhilewewere standinghere?"

Gotrekstumpedtothenextpostwiththeothersfollowing.Ittoohadbeenmarked,anditsbloodnotyetdry.

"Snorrirememberstheyreplacedthatonetoo,"saidSnorri.

Allof them lookedaround, scanning thepeople in thecourtyardandon thecoveredparapet.Felixcursed. Itwas impossible.Therewere toomany, and it couldbe anyone--oneof themenwhowasclearingrubblewiththeworkgangs,oneoftheShallyanscarryinganotherbodytothepyre,oneofthehandgunnerswho stood at their posts on thewall. It couldbevonGeldrecht or vonVolgenorClassen or Volk or Bosendorfer, all of whom were peering out towards the zombies' new siegetowers.ThentherewasBierlitzandhiscrewputtingupthenewposts--wastheoldcarpenterputtingthemarkonthemasheerectedthem?OrwasitFatherUlframwalkingthewallswithDannikenandgivingencouragementtothemen?

"We should tell the steward," said Kat, looking towards von Geldrecht and von Volgen, "thoughBosendorferwilllikelyaccuseusofitjustforspite--"

"Wait,"saidFelix."Wait!"

Katandtheslayerslookedathim.

HenoddedtowardsUlframandDanniken."Watchtheacolyte,"hesaid."WatchDanniken."

Theothersturned.Felixbithislip.Washeright?Washeseeingwhathethoughthewasseeing?Itwashardtotellintheshadowofthehoardingroof.

The gaunt acolyte took Father Ulfram's elbow as the priest finished talking to a group ofhandgunners,thenwalkedhimalongthewalltothenextgroup.AsUlframhailedthemenandbeganasking them questions, Danniken stepped back demurely and leaned against a support post, as ifwaitingforFatherUlframtofinish,butashewaited,he idly tookouta littleknifeandcleanedhisfingernails,then,accidentally--

orsoitseemed--cutthetipofhisindexfinger.

Hehissedandsqueezedit,thencircledhishandaroundtheoutsideofthepostandtracedhisbloodyfingerbackandforthacrossthewood,neveroncelookingatwhathewasdoing.

"Clever,"saidRodi.

"Buthow--howcanhe...?"stutteredKat."HeheldtheHammerofJudgementanddidnotburn!Whenalltheotherswereorderedtotouchit,hebroughtittoUlframand--"

"Hedidn't!"saidFelix,rememberingsuddenly."Itwaswrappedinfurs!Heneveroncetoucheditwithhisbarehands!"

"Enoughtalk,"saidGotrek."Hediesnow."

"Wait,"saidFelix."WemusttellvonGeldrecht.Wedon'twantanyonecryingmurder."

GotrekgruntedwithimpatienceasFelixhurrieddownthewalltowherevonGeldrecht,vonVolgen,Classen,BosendorferandVolkstillwatchedthezombiesandtalkedamongstthemselves.HecheckedthepostnexttovonGeldrecht.Ittoohadbeenmarked,andwasalreadyrotting.

"Mylordsteward,"hewhispered.

126

VonGeldrechtandtheotherslookedaround.

"Whatisitnow,HerrJaeger?"askedthesteward,witheringly."Doyouwishtoupbraidmeagain?"

Felixpointedtotheflakingpost."Newmarks."

"What!"hecried,andsteppedforwardswiththeotherscrowdingin.

VonVolgensighedwhenhesawtherottingwood.VonGeldrechtcursedandslappedthewall.

"Quietly,mylord,"saidFelix,glancingbackatDannikenandUlfram."Wehavefoundthetraitor."

"What?Who?"saidvonGeldrecht.

"WatchDanniken,"saidFelix."Watchhishands."

"Danniken?"saidthesteward,againlouderthanheshould."Whathashe--"Felixgrippedhisarmtoquiethim,andnoddedinthedirectionoftheacolyteandthewarriorpriest.VonGeldrechtturnedandwatchedwiththerestasDannikenledUlframtothenextgroupofmen,thenretiredtoleanagainstanotherpost.Again,hefollowedthesameroutine,takingouthisknife,paringhisnails,reopeningthecutonhisfinger,thendrawingwithhisbloodontheoutsideofthepost.

"But..."saidBosendorfer."But,but..."

"Sigmar'sbeard!"breathedvonGeldrecht."Theacolyte!Amanofthecloth!"

"Avilesaboteur,"snarledvonVolgen.

Classenstartedforwards,reachingforhissword."Come,letusshowhimSigmar'smercy."

VonGeldrechtheldhimback."No!Iwishtointerrogatehim."

"Yes!"saidBosendorfer,hiseyesglittering."Wemustlearnwhohisassociatesare!"

"Nogoodcomesfromwaitingtokillwarlocks,"saidGotrek,comingupwithKat,SnorriandRodi.

The steward ignored him andmotioned toClassen. "You andBosendorfer go down and come upbehindhim,throughthegatehouse.Wewilltraphimfromthisside.Therewillbenowhereforhimtogo."

"Aye,lordsteward,"saidClassenandBosendorferinunison,thenstartedforthestairs.

VonGeldrechtbeckonedtotheothers."Come,"hesaid."Letustakeastrollaroundthewalls."

"Hehashisbacktous,"grumbledKatastheystartedforwards."Whycan'tIjustshoothim?"

Felixandtheotherhumansmadehorribleattemptsatmimingcasualness,butthedwarfsjustwalkedalongattheirnormalpace,glaringaheadwithundisguisedloathing.Felixalmostsaidsomething,butthenrealisedthattheyalwayslookedlikethat,sowereunlikelytoraiseDanniken'ssuspicions.

Somethingdid,however.PerhapsitwasClassenandBosendorfer'swarypostureastheycameoutofthegatehouseonhisleft,orthefactthateightpeoplewerebearingdownonhimfromtheright,orperhaps his dark powers warned him, but as von Geldrecht got within twenty paces of him, theacolyte'sheadcameupandhiseyesdartedleftandright,widening.

127

"He'sontous,"saidRodi.

Gotrek,RodiandSnorripushedpastvonGeldrechtandvonVolgen, takingtheirweaponsoff theirbacks, as Felix, Kat and Volk fell in behind them. On the far side of the acolyte, Classen andBosendorferhurriedforwardsaswell.

Withawildlook,Dannikenleapt toFatherUlframandpulledhiminfrontofhim,puttinghis littleknifetothepriest'sneckasthehandgunnerscriedoutinsurprise.

"What'sthis?"barkedUlfram."Who'sthat?What'shappening?"

"KillmeandIkillhim!"saidtheacolyte.

"Fairenough,"saidGotrek,stillwalkingforwardswithSnorriandRodiaseveryoneelsestopped.

"Dwarfs!Hold!"criedvonGeldrecht."WecannotriskFatherUlfram'slife."

"What is going on?" said Ulfram, turning his bandaged head this way and that as the slayersreluctantlystopped."Danniken,isthatyou?"

"Your acolyte is the traitor, father," said vonVolgen. "The foulwarlockwho closed themoat andweakenedourdefences."

"Anddidyoualsopoisonthewater,villain?"askedvonGeldrecht."Andruinthefood?"

"Whoareyouraccomplices?"barkedBosendorfer."IsTauberinleaguewithyou?"

Danniken'sfacesplitintoamaniacalgrin."Yes,Ispoiltthefood!"hecackled.

"Andthewater!AndblindedFatherUlfram'switchsightasItreatedhiseyesafterGrimminhagen."

"Youwhelp!"criedUlfram,struggling."I'll--"

Danniken pressed the knife deeper into the priest's throat, drawing blood. "And yes, Tauber is inleaguewithme,"he continued. "Anddozensof others.Weare legion,my lords!Legion!Youwillneverrootusout!"

"Who?"askedvonGeldrecht,hisjowlsquivering."Whoarethey?Tellmetheirnames!"

"Youarealltraitors!"saidDanniken."Yourbonesaretraitors,lurkingwithinyourflesh,waitingonlyfor death to betray you! And I will free them!" And with that he tipped his head back and begankeeninginanancientandarcanetongue.

Thehandgunnerscoweredbackinsuperstitiousfear,andFelix,Katandtheotherhumanshesitated,afraid to endanger Father Ulfram's life, but the slayers had no such compunctions. They startedforwards,raisingtheirweapons.FatherUlfram,however,actedfirst.

"HammerofSigmar giveme strength!" roared the old priest, anddrove the backof his head intoDanniken'sjaw,snappinghisteethshutandcuttingoffhischant.

Theacolytestaggeredagainstthebattlement,spittingbloodandpullingthepriestwithhim.

"Welldone,father!"criedvonGeldrecht.

As the others surged in, the priest turned and threw blind fists atDanniken, shouting, "Heretic! InSigmar'snameIcasttheeout!"128

Awildblowknockedtheacolyteflatbetweentwocrenellations,butUlframoverbalancedandfellontopofhim,hisheadandshouldersoverthewall.

"Stopthem!"calledvonGeldrecht."Catchthem!"

Bosendorfer reached them first and grabbed for Ulfram's ankles, but Danniken, with surprisingstrength,buckedunderUlfram,draggingthepriestanotherfootovertheedge,andthegreatswordshandswerekickedawayintheflailing.

GotrekshovedBosendorferasideandgrabbedUlfram's longwhitesurcoat,but toolate.Thepriestandthefalseacolyteflippedovertheside,stillfightingandbellowing,andtheslayerwasleftholdingalongstripofwhitecloth.

FelixandKatpressedtotheedgewitheveryoneelseandsawthetwobodiessmackintothethickmudoftheemptymoatamongstthemillingzombies.Foralongsecond,theyandtheothersjuststaredasthebodieslaythere,unmoving,butthen,amazingly,theoldpriestcoughedandgaspedandflailedanarm.

"FatherUlfram!"calledvonGeldrecht."Father,areyouallright?Arope,someone!Arope!"

ItwasDanniken,however,whorosefirst,pushingupfromthepriest'sbody,brokenandbedraggled.Helookedupattheparapetandlaughed,hismouthfullofmudandblood,thenhauledUlframupbythecollarand raisedhis littleknifehighas thepriestpawed feeblyatDanniken's legswithbrokenhands.

Dannikenstabbedhiminthechest."AtlastIamfreetojoinmymaster!"hecried,strikingagain."Asyouwillalljoinmymaster,tomarchwithhimon--"Anarrowappearedinhismouth,buriedhalfwaytothefletchinglikesomesword-swallower'strick.Theacolyte'swordscutoffinagargleofbloodandhiseyesshowedwhiteallaround.Felixlookedtohisright.Kat'sbowstringwasstillquivering.Hereyesblazed.

Danniken fell slowly backwards to lie besideUlfram,who sprawled face down in themud, bloodspreadingoutbelowhiminaredpool.

GotrekgruntedandglaredatvonGeldrecht."Shouldhavedonethatatthestart."Thestewarddidn'tseemtohaveheard.Hejustcontinuedtostaredownatthepriest."Volk,"hesaidquietly,"askBierlitztorigaropeandharness.WewillrecoverFatherUlfram'sbody,andgivehimtheproperrites.WewillalsoseverDanniken'sheadandsearchhisbodyfor--"

HepausedasFatherUlfram'sbodytwitchedandhetriedtogethishandsunderhim.

"Father--FatherUlfram!"hecried."Father,doyoustilllive?Sigmarbepraised!

Volk,theropes!Quickly!"

VolkranofftowardsBierlitz,butasFatherUlframpushedhimselfunsteadilytohisfeetintheankle-deep mud, Danniken sat up beside him, staring straight up because the arrow through his mouthwouldn'tlethimlowerhishead.

"BloodofSigmar!"sworevonGeldrechtastheacolytestood."Dannikenlivestoo.Shoothimagain,archer,beforehedoesFatherUlframfurtherharm!"Katdutifullyputanotherarrowtothestring,butDannikendidnotattackUlfram.

NordidUlframattackDanniken.Instead,thetwoofthemturnedasone,andbegantoshuffletogetherintothemillinghordeofzombiesallaroundthem.Bythetime129

VolkhadcomebackwithBierlitz,Felixhadlosttheminthehorde.Ithadswallowedthemwhole.

VonGeldrecht leaned against the battlements and let his head sink downuntil it touched the stone."Forgive me, Bierlitz," he said in a tired voice. "There is nothing for you to do here. Continuereplacing the damaged posts. Classen, Bosendorfer, Volk, spread the word. Our traitor has beenfound--andheisdead."ClassenandVolknodded,butBosendorferstayedwherehewas."Andwhatshallwedoabouttheothertraitors,mylord?Tauber,andthescoresofothersDannikenmentioned."

VonVolgensnorted.

VonGeldrechtclosedhiseyesandpushedhimselfupright."Don'tbeanass,greatsword.Therearenoothertraitors.Heonlysaidittosowdiscordamongus.GoanddoasIhaveordered."

Bosendorferglowered,butsalutedandwentoffwithClassenwithoutanotherword.TheslayersfellinwithVolk,askinghimaboutblackpowderandfuses,butFelixhesitatednearvonGeldrechtandvonVolgen.

"Er,mylordsteward,"hesaid,"Iapologiseforbringingitupagain,butifyoubelieveDannikenwastheonlytraitor,thendoyoubelieveTauberisinnocent?"VonGeldrechtfrowned,thensighed."Yes,HerrJaeger,"hesaid."Heismostlikelyinnocent."

"So,you'llreleasehim?"

"Sadly,Icannot."

VonVolgengrunted,angerflaringinhiseyes."Mylord,whynot?Themanisneeded."

ThestewardlookedfromFelixtothelord,thenturnedaway,hisfacehaggardandglum."Iamsorry,butitisGrafReiklander'sdecision,notmine.Pleaseletitlie."

Hestartedtolimpforthestairs,butvonVolgensteppedinhisway,hisjawset.

"Mylord,IwouldliketohearthisorderfromGrafReiklander'sownlips.ItisnotonlythelivesofthemenofCastleReikguardthatareatstake.Manyofmyknightshavediedthesepastdaysforwantofcare.Iwouldliketohearfromhimthereasonswhy."

VonGeldrecht'sfacereddened."Thatisimpossible,"hesaid."Thegrafistoosicktobedisturbed."

"Aye?"askedvonVolgen."Andperhapstoosicktogiveorders?"Thestewardfroze,glaring."Whatareyouimplying,mylord?Speakplainly."VonVolgenheldhisgazeforamoment,thencoughedandlookeddown."Idonotblameyou,lordsteward.Ithinkitonlynaturalthat,withcommandthrustuponyouasithasbeen,youwouldusethegraf'snametoaddauthoritytoyourorders...

regardlessifthegrafwasgivingthemornot."

VonGeldrechtlookedlikehewasgoingtoexplode,thenhetoolookedaway.

"Yoursuspicionisunderstandable,mylord,"hesaid."ButGrafReiklanderdoesstillrulehere,andhewishesTaubertoremainimprisoned.Iamsorry.Youwillhavetotakemywordonit."

130

Andwiththatheturnedaway,limpingtothestairsandcrackinghiscaneangrilywitheverystep.

Von Volgen's fists clenched and it looked like he was going to call after him, but he restrainedhimself,andturnedbacktothewalltostareoutoverthezombiehorde.

FelixlookedatvonVolgenforalongminute,thensteppedawayfromKattoleanbesidehim."Mylord,"hewhispered,"whydon'tyoutakehisplace?"131

FIFTEENVonVolgenturnedfromthewall,eyeshard."Idon'tknowwhatyoumean,meinherr."

Felixgrunted,impatient,andlookedoverhisshoulderasKatjoinedthem."Yesyoudo,mylord.VonGeldrechtisnogeneral.Youknowthat.Heisn'tmuchmorethanajumped-upquartermaster,andheisleadingustoruin!Youcouldleadustovictory--orsurvivalatleast.".

VonVolgenfixedhimwithacoldstare."Youspeakofmutiny."

"I speakof savingmen's lives!"Felixblurted, then loweredhisvoiceagain. "HehasalreadykilledhalfofuswithhishesitationsandhisrefusaltofreeTauber.Willyousitandwatchwhilehekillstherest?Youcouldsaveus!Youwanttosaveus!"

"Yes,mylord,"saidKat."Please."

TheknucklesofvonVolgen'shandswereaswhiteasbone,andtheveinsinhisneckstoodoutlikeropes. Felix was afraid he was going to hit him, but when he spoke, his words were quiet andmeasured.

"HerrJaeger,Ithankyouforthehighopinionyouhaveofmyabilities,"hesaid.

"Butitdoesn'tmatterwhatIwant.Ihavenoauthorityhere.Imayadvise.Imaysuggest,butitwouldbemutiny, indeed, treason, forme to try towrest command from theman the rightful lordof thiscastlehasgivenitto,andIwillnotcommittreason."

"But your men may die!" whispered Felix. "His men may die! Sigmar's beard, if Kemmler takesCastle Reikguard and leads us all to Altdorf, it might be the Empire that dies! Isn't that a greatertreason?"

VonVolgenturnedandlookedbackoutovertheendlessarmyofcorpses,hisbrowfurrowed."Youmakeacompellingargument,"hesaidatlast."ButIcannotagree.LawisthestrengthofourEmpire,HerrJaeger.MorethanstrengthofarmsorfaithinSigmar,thelawsthatbindlordtolordandlordtopeasantprotectus.Theyallowustotrustoneanother,touniteandtoknowthatthestrongwillnottakeadvantageoftheweakintimesofcrisis."

"Butyouwon'ttakeadvantage,"saidKat."Youaren'tthatsortofruler."VonVolgencutheroffwitharaised hand. "Today I amnot," he said. "Today I usurp the rule ofCastleReikguard for the noblecause of saving the Empire. But what will tomorrow's excuse be? Will I take command of myneighbour'sforcesbecauseheislosingawaragainstbeastmen?WillIoverthrowtheelectorcountofTalabecland if he rules poorly?" He shook his head. "Aman may break the law with the best ofintentions,butwhenheseestheeaseofit,itbecomeshabit,andheislost.

Iamsorry,friends.IwillgiveStewardvonGeldrechtwhataidIcan,butheruleshere,andIwillnotchange that. Nor," he said, turning hard eyes on them, "will I allow anyone else to try. Do youunderstand?"

132

Felixlookeddowntohidetheangerinhiseyes,andheheardKatgruntbesidehim.HeunderstoodvonVolgen's reasoning,butwhatdid itmatterwhatamanmightbe tempted todofar in thefuturewhenwhathedidnowcouldsavehundredsoflives?Itwasmaddening!Unfortunately,thereseemednopointinarguingitfurther.

Thelordhadmadeuphismind.

"Iunderstand,mylord,"saidFelixatlast."Forgivemeforsuggestingit.ItseemsallIcanhopefornowisthatthelordstewardlistenstoyou."Hestarteddowntothecourtyardtowardstheslayers,whowerestilldeep inconversationwithVolk,and leftvonVolgenat thewall, stillgazingoutover theendlesszombiehorde.

"Notyet,"saidGotrek,ashelookeddownovertheeasternbattlementstowardsthedike."Notyet."

"Don'tleaveittoolate,herrSlayer,"saidvonGeldrechtanxiously."Wenolongerhaveenoughmentomountaproperdefence."

"Andwhosefaultisthat?"mutteredKat.

Felixshotherawarningglance,thenlookedouttowardsthewoods.Afteralongdayofrepairsandpreparations,duskwasfalling,andthehordewascoming,inforcethistime.Themenalongthewallswere already snagging ladders and lopping heads as the zombies began their ceaseless climbing.Beyond them, Felix saw the three new towers being dragged forwards by fresh gangs of skinnedbeast-zombies, while five trebuchets pitched stones, burning zombies and putrid corpses over thewalls.Anewweaponwastrundlingforwardsaswell,alonglowcontraptionthatwasaimedstraightforthefrontgate.Itwasroofedlikethehoardings,andwheeledlikeacart,andahugebattering-ramswung on chains beneath it, capped at the front with what looked like the skull of some knobby,mutatedgiant,crestedwitharidgeofironspikesdownthecentre.

"ThatremindsSnorriofsomething,"saidSnorri.

"ItremindsmeofSnorriNosebiterheadingfortheprivy,"saidRodi.

"No,"saidSnorri."Thatwasn'tit."

Felix shifted his gaze to the dike. Just as Gotrek had predicted, the zombies guarding it werebeginning todrift towards thewalls,drawn likemothsby thenoiseandviolence to join theirdeadbrethreninclimbingthewalls.

"Now,"saidGotrek."Lowerthecharges."Volknoddedandsignalledtotwomenwhoheldarope,attheendofwhichwereloopedfourknapsacks,eachbulgingwithblackpowdercharges.Athirdmanshovedtheknapsacksoff thebattlements,andthemenwiththeropestartedloweringthemdownasGotrekandRoditiedotherropesaroundtheirwaistsandsteppedtothewall.SnorritookuptheslackinGotrek'sropewhilethreemoreofVolk'sgunnersdidthesamewithRodi's.

"Ready,"saidGotrekandRoditogether,andsteppedbackwardsoffthebattlementsasSnorriandthegunnersbegantopayouttheropes.

Felixheldhisbreath for thedurationof the slayers'descent, andKatput anarrow toherbowandscanned the sky forbatsorother spying eyes, but theywerenot spotted.They reached thegroundwithoutincident,thenuntiedthemselvesanddrew133

theiraxeswhiletheropeslitheredbackupthewall.ThenitwasFelixandVolk'sturn.

"Don'tworry,youngFelix," saidSnorri, asFelix tied the ropearoundhiswaist and theold slayerdrewintheslack."Snorriwon'tdropyou."

"Thatistheleastofmyfears,Snorri,"saidFelix.

HegaveKatanervouslittlesalute, thensteppedbackoff thewallandbegantowalkhiswaydownbesideVolkasSnorriandthegunnersletouttheirropeshandoverhand.

Ashedescended,Felix'seyesdartednervouslyfromtheskytothegroundtothedike,expectinganysecond to see the zombies stumbling back around the corner, or the batswheeling out of the skytowards them. To be caught dangling halfway down the wall by those flying slashers would be anightmare.Butdespitehisfears,heandVolkmadeitsafelytothenarrowstripofbulrushesbesidetherushingReik,andsanktotheiranklesincoldmud.

Volk hooked a flickering glass storm lantern to his belt, then grunted one of the packs onto hisshouldersandheldtheotherouttoFelix.

"Herey'are,HerrJaeger,"hesaid,grinning."Yerveryownbundleo'joy."Felixsmiledweaklyashestuckhisarmsthroughthestrapsandhumpedthethinguphighbetweenhisshoulders.Hewasneverathismostcomfortablewithexplosivesstrappedtohisback.Itmadehimitch.

"Staylow.Stayquiet,"saidGotrek,andturnedandstrodeintotheriver.

Felix,Rodi andVolk slipped in afterhim.Thewaterwas freezingand the current strongandveryswift, even so close to the bank, but the bulk of the zombies were just on the other side of thesawgrass-coveredmoundthatranparalleltotheriver,andifthemenandtheslayersdidn'twanttobeseen,theyhadtoremainaslowaspossibleforaslongaspossible.

Theytrudgedeastalongtheriverforaboutfortypaces,butastheynearedthedike,thebankbegantonarrowfurther,whiletheshallowsgrewsteeperandthecurrentswifter,untiltheycameatlasttotheheavystoneflanksofthedike,loomingupoutofthewaterliketheentrancetosomemassive,algae-coveredmausoleum.

Here the shallows fell away completely and the muddy bank disappeared into a roaring roil ofcrosscurrents.

Unable to continue in the river, Gotrek, Felix, Rodi andVolk climbed out onto the sloping stoneshoulderandraisedtheirheadsjusthighenoughtolookoverit.

Felixshivered.

Seenfromtheground,thepanoramaofKemmler'shordeonthemovewasevenmorehorrificthan

whenlookeddownuponfromthewalls.Thousandsuponthousandsofundeadstaggeredforwardsinanendlessshamblingmass,whilethetwistedhivetowerslurchedandswayedabovethemlikelivingthings,andtheghoulshowledfromtheirtops.Thetowerswerehalfwaytothecastlenowandclosingfast,andthecoveredbattering-ramwasmovingevenfaster,andwouldreachthemaingateinmereminutes.Andwhiletherestoftheundeadarmysurgedahead,thetrebuchetshadhunkereddownlikespiders crouching to spring and launched stones and flaming corpses towards the walls withclockworkregularity.HowcouldCastleReikguard'sbeleagueredgarrisonhope tostopsuchavastandterrifyinghost?FelixfoundithardtoimaginethateventhecombinedmightoftheEmpirecoulddoit.

134

"Workfast,"saidGotrek."We'llbeinplainsight."HepointedatVolk."Youandthemanlingwillsetyourchargesbehindthetopbeam.BalkissonandIwillsetthelower,thenpassourfusesuptoyou.Youwillbringthembackhere,tothebank,outofview."

"Aye,herrSlayer,"saidVolk.

Gotrek held his eye. "And you will not light them until I say." Volk swallowed, then nodded."Understood,herrSlayer."

"Then,go,"saidGotrek.

Andwiththat,heandRodiranlefttodropdownintothemoat.FelixandVolkscrambledupthestonebanktothetop,keepingaslowastheycould,thenlookeddownintothechannelatthebigoakdoors.Upclose,theywereevenmoreimpressivethantheyhadappearedfromthecastle.TheyweresothickFelixcouldhavewalkedacrossthetopofthemtothefarbankwithoutnarrowinghisstride,andsotall a giant couldn't have looked over them,while the reinforcing bands of iron that criss-crossedthemandboundtheoaktimberstogetherwereinchesthick.

Nordidanyof thedike'sstrengthor thicknessseemless thannecessary.Thewaterbeatagainst thedoorswith a constant deafening thunder that drowned even the rumble of the siege towers as theyapproachedthecastle.Felixcouldfeelthepowerofitthroughthesolesofhisboots.

Volkpointeddowntotheupperofthetwobeamsthatheldthedoorsclosed.Thebottomonestretchedacross thedoorsataheightofabout five feet from the floorof themoat,while theupperone layacrossthemaboutfivefeetbelowthetop.Bothwereasbigaroundastreetrunks,andslottedfirmlyintoholesinthestonebanks.

"HowdoyefancydroppingdowntothatwhileIpassyethecharges?"Volkasked.

Felix swallowed. The crossbeam might be thick, but balancing on it while trying to manoeuvreexplosivesintoplacedidn'tsoundveryappealing."Fancywouldbetoostrongaterm,"hesaid,takingoffhispack."Butit'swhatIcamefor."Felixgrippedthetopofthedoorandloweredhimselftothebeam.Thewoodthrummedunderhishandwiththerushofwaterbehindit,andashisfeettouchedthebeam,hecouldfeelitflexasthedoorspressedagainstit.Heshivered.Thiswouldnotbetheplacetobewhenthosedoorsfinallyopened.

HeglancedtowardsthehordeagainashereacheduptoVolk,butnoneoftheundeadseemedtobelookingtheirway.Allthezombiesweretrudgingtowardsthecastleorcrowdingaroundtheladders,and the ghouls that swarmed the tops of the siege towers were too far away. A glance at the skyunfortunatelytoldhimnothing.Itwastoodarktoseeanycirclingbats.

Volkloopedacoilofmatchcordaroundhiswrist, thenleaneddownwithapipecharge."Gotothemiddleandwedgeittightasyoucanbetweenthedoorandthebeam.Thencomebackforthesecond."

Felixnearlyoverbalancedashetookthething.Itwasheavierthanheexpected.

Herightedhimselfwithawildflail,thenleanedbackagainstthedoorandbegansidesteppingtowardsthecentre,heartpounding,asthematchcordpaidoutbehindhim.

135

Whenhereachedthemiddleofthedoorshekneltandsetthechargebehindthebeaminagapbetweentwooftheironbands.Hepusheddownonthechargetowedgeittight.Belowhim,theslayersweredoingthesame.Rodihadclimbedupontothelowerbeam,whileGotrekliftedthechargesuptohim.

Whenhischargewasaswellseatedashecouldmakeit,FelixcrossedbacktoVolk,whohandedhimdownthesecondcharge.

"Itseemsasmallamountofpowder,"saidFelix,cradlingitmorecarefullythistime,"tobreaksuchbigdoors."

Volkgavehimahideoushalf-meltedsmile."Ah,well,thewater'sdoingmostofthework,y'see.Allthechargesneedtodoismakealittlecrack,andthewaterwillbust'emwide."

Felixcarriedthesecondchargebackalongthebeamandsetitbesidethefirst,thenlookeddownasheheardahissfrombelow."Manling.Here."Oneatatime,Gotrektossedupthetwocoilsofmatchcordthatranfromthebottomcharges.Felixcaughtthemandslippedthemontohisrightarm,thenwalkedtoVolk.

"Welldone,meinherr,"saidVolkashetookthefuses."Themdeadbastardswon'tknowwhathit'em."

Headdedtheslayers'coilstothetwofromthetopcharges,thenhelpedFelixontothestonebank,andtogethertheycreptbackdowntotheriverbank,Volkpayingoutthefourlinesofmatchcordbehindhim.

The slayers joined them a moment later, then crawled up on hands and knees to watch over theembankment.Behindthem,Volkbraidedtheendsofthefourfusestogetherintoasinglerope, thenunhookedthestormlanternfromhisbeltandsetitbesidethem.Itsflameflickeredbrightlyinsideitsglasschimney."Readywhenyouare,herrSlayer,"hesaid."Notyet,"saidGotrek.

Felixedgedupbesidetheslayersandlookedoutoverthefield.Thesiegetowersandthebattering-rams were close enough now that the castle's cannons were taking shots at them. A ball punchedthroughthenearest tower,andanexplosionofearthandflyingzombieseruptednearthebattering-ram,butnotnearenough.Thethingcrawledon,andashotfromathirdcannonmissedtoo.

"Damned bats!" growled Volk, glaring up at the swarms that clattered around the gun positions."Spoilingouraim."

"Theyshouldsavetheirshot,"saidGotrek.

"You'resosure,meinherr?"askedVolk.

Gotrekdidn'tanswer,onlywatchedthesiegetowerswithunblinkingintensityastheynearedthedrymoat.Thezombiesweredoing thesame thing theyhaddoneduring thepreviousattack, swarmingforwards to fill the dry ditch so the towers and their gangs of skinned beasts could use them as abridgetocrossthegap.Moreweredoingthesameforthebattering-ram.

"Getready,"saidGotrekasthefirstofthebeast-zombieteamssteppedoutontoitsbridgeofcorpses.

"Aye,"saidVolk,andbackeddowntheslope."Ready."Felixheldhisbreath.Thebattering-ramwasstartingacrossitscorpsebridgenow,andthetowerbeyonditwasnearlyatthemoat,whilethemiddletowerwasjust136

beginning to cross. But as Gotrek raised his arm, the closest tower suddenly slowed as its teamstumbledandbecameboggeddowninitsbridgeofpiledbodies.

Gotrekcursed."Hold,"hesaid.

Therewasahollowboomfromthegates.Theramhadstruck.Ghoulswere lockingoff itswheelsanddriving longstakesdown into thebankof themoat tohold it inplace,whilehugedeadbeastsswungtheramforwardsandbackonitschainsinaponderousrhythm--boom...boom...boom...

"Pull,youlaggards,"Rodigrowledastheneartowerslowedevenfurther."Pull!"

"Slayers,"saidVolk,"dowedarewait?They'reknockingdownourgates!"

"They'llholdawhile,"saidGotrek,notlookingaround."Iwantthemall."

"Gotrek,"saidFelix,grindinghisteeth."Youwon'tgetanyofthemifyouwaittoolong--"

A giant bat slammed down face first right in front of him, an arrow jutting from the back of itsbrokenneck.

137

SIXTEENFelixandVolkflinchedbackastheslayerslookedup.Anotherbatjerkedsidewaysintheskyabovethemandpinwheeledtotheground,anarrowinitseye,butthereweremorecoming,screechingandswoopingdownatthem,wingsfurled.Theyhadbeenspotted.

"Now,gunner!"barkedGotrek,drawinghisaxeasRodiandFelixdrewaswell.

"Now!"

"Aye,"saidVolk.

Heturnedto lift theglassfromthelantern,butashebent,abatcrashedintohimandknockedhimflailingintotheriver.

"Volk!"criedFelix.

Hesprangup,slashing,buttwomorebatsslammedintohim,drivinghimoverthebrink,andhetooplungedintothewaves.

Thecoldshockofitfrozehimforasecond,butthenhewassmashedintothebankbythecurrentandcameupgaspingasthewaterdraggedhimalong,hiskneesscrapingtherockymud.Beforehecouldfind his feet, heavy wings flashed overhead and dropped towards the slayers as he finally gotpurchase.

"Krell!"hecroaked,andtriedtopullhimselfout,butthensomethinggrabbedhimfrombehindandjerkedhimbackintothewater.

FelixturnedandkickedandraisedhisswordbeforeherealiseditwasVolk,thrashingandpanicked.ThecaptainclutchedhisarmandFelixpulledhimclose,kickingforthebank.Afterbeingdraggedalongthemuddybottomagain,hegothisfeetunderhim,andhauledVolkupafterhim.Thoughtheyhadbeenonlyafewsecondsinthewater,thepowerfulcurrenthadcarriedthemalmostbacktowheretheyhaddescendedfromthecastle.

Felixlookedbacktowardsthemoatashestood.GotrekandRodiweresurroundedbyacloudofbatsandfightingtoetotoewithKrellandthepatchworkwyvern,whostoodbetweenthemandthefuses--whichremainedunlitnexttothestormlantern.Felixchokedandstartedrunningback.Thiswasbad.Thechargeshadtoblownow,whilethesiegetowerswerestillcrossingthemoat!

Thebatswheeledathim,shriekingandbatteringhimwithwingsandclawsasheranforthefuses.Heslashedthroughthemdesperately,butaglancetowardsthecastletoldhimhewasgoingtobetoolate.Thefurthesttowerwasalreadynearlyallthewayacrossthemoat.Theclosestwashalfway,andthebattering-ramwascontinuingitsrelentlessboom...boom...boom...

GotreksmashedKrell'swyvernbackanditflappedupintheair,itsleghangingbyastringofsinew.TheSlayerduckedunderitwithRodi,hackingforKrell,butthewightkingknockedthembothbackwithasweepofhisblackaxe.Theslayersweren'tgoingtoreachthefusesintimeeither.

138

AflashofflameshotdownfromaboveandstruckbehindKrell.Forasecond,FelixthoughtitwassomenewterrorofKemmler's,butthenhesawitwasanarrow,pointdownnexttothelamp,alittleflamejustbehinditsheadquicklyfizzlingoutinthemud.

Felixblinkedashekickedabatasideandguttedanother.Whowasshootingflamingarrowsatthem?Andwhy?Thenallatonceheknew,andhisheartsurged.

Asecondarrowzippeddownandquiveredbetweenthefusesandthelamp.Soclose!

"Comeon,Kat!"Felixroared,choppingatthebatsasGotrekandRodiexchangedringingstrikeswithKrell.

Thenthebatsweregonefromaroundhim,flittingawayandsquealing.Sigmar!

Theywereafterthefuses!

Athirdarrowstreakeddownthroughthecloudofwings,andshatteredtheglasslantern,sprayingitsreservoirofoilinalldirectionsandsettingitalight.Thebatsflappedup,someofthemonfire,andthelittlepoolofflamespread.Then,allatonce,therewasasparkingandpopping,andfourlinesofspittingflamesbegantocrawlswiftlytowardsthedike.Thefuseshadlit!

"Slayers!"shoutedFelix,backingaway."Fireinthehole!"Theslayers,however,didnotseemtohear.As the bats dived and snapped futilely at the sizzling fuses like crows trying to catch speedingcentipedes,GotrekandRodidroveKrellbacktowardsthedikewithsingle-mindedintensity,cuttingdeepgashesinhisblackarmourandsendingchunksofitspinningaway.Itseemedthat,forthisbriefmomentatleast,theyhadbothabandonedthoughtsofindividualglory,andwereworkingintandemtotakethechampionapartpiecebypiece.

Krelltookanotherstepbackfromtheslayers'onslaught,andfalteredontheedge.Rodiduckedinandsmashedhisaxeintothewightking'skneeinaburstofshatteredironandsplinteredbone.Krellfellsideways, andGotrek leapt forwards andhacked at his neckwith his glowing rune axe.ThebladesmashedthroughKrell'sbevor,butbeforeitcouldseverhisneck,thechampiontoppledbackwardsintothemoatanddisappearedfromFelix'ssight.

Thetwoslayerssteppedtotheedge,andFelixwascertaintheywereabouttoleapinafterhim,butastheytensed,thefoursparkingfusesburnedbetweentheirfeetandvanishedoverthelip.Rodilaughedandsteppedback,butGotrekremainedwherehewas,blowinglikeabellowsandstillpoisedtojump.

"Thatisn'tdeathinbattle,Gurnisson,"saidRodi,turningbacktohim."That'sjustdeath."

Gotrekgrowled."Mydoomdoesnotrequireyourapproval,Balkisson."

"No,"saidRodi."OnlyGrimnir's."

Andwiththat,theyoungslayerturnedandranbacktowardsthebank.Felixheldhisbreath,notdaringtoblinkandmisstheSlayer'slastmoment,thoughitmightmeanbeingcaughtintheblasthimself,butafteraninterminablesecond,GotrekcursedandracedafterRodi.

Witha relievedbreath,Felixsprinted for thecornerof thecastle,more thanhappy tousehis longhumanlegstotheirfullestadvantage,butevenwithhisgreaterspeed,hedidn'tquitemakeit.

139

Ashenearedthewall,helookedbacktoseehowtheslayerswerecoming,andtheworldbehindhimsuddenlyturnedblackandorangeandyellow.Onesecond,thebatswerewheelingabovethedike,andKrell's wyvern was flapping down into the moat the next second, all of themwere eclipsed by abillowingfireballthatroseabovethedikelikeaphoenix.TheairwassuddenlyashotastheDesertofAraby,andliftedFelixoffhisfeetasasoundlikethesunderingoftheworldbatteredhisears.

Heslammeddownagaintenfeetfurtheron,blindandconcussed,andfeltheavythudsstrikeoneithersideofhim.Then, through the ringing inhisearsand theclouds inhishead,cameanewnoise--aroaring,crashingtumult.Heopenedhiseyesandrolledover.Hewaslyingbetweenthetwoslayers,whowerebothlookingbacktowardsthemoatandgrinninglikedaemons.Felixfollowedtheirgazeand saw, frothing through the gapwhere the doors of the dykehadbeen, a rushingwall ofwater,twentyfeetwideandtwentyfeethigh,thunderingdownthemoatlikeastampedeofwhitebulls.

Felixlookedalongthefrontofthecastle,followingthewater'sprogress.Thefirsttowerwashalfwayacross themoatnow, itscrewof skinnedbeastsobliviously strainingat their ropes,but theghoulsclingingtothetophadseenthewavecomingandwereshriekingandgibberingandtryingtoclimbdown.Theyweretoolate.Thewallofwatershotupoverthebridgeofzombiesandhitthetoweronitsleadingedge,liftingitandknockingitsidewaysandback.Screaminginterror,theghoulsrodethethingtothegroundasitsmashedtopiecesintheravagedfields.

Thezombiemoundwassweptawaylikeleavesinagutterandthewaterrushedontowardsthesecondtower.Thisonehadalmostreachedthecastlesideofthemoat.

The flood slammed into its back edge, the froth climbing halfway up its height, and toppled itsideways,crashingitdownrightontopofthecoveredbattering-ramandsmashingittopieces.

Afterthat,thetidewasspent,anditonlyrockedthethirdtowerslightlyasitstreamedarounditsbasebefore reconnectingwith theReikon the far sideof thecastle.Nevertheless,ahugecheerwentupfrom the walls as the defenders saw the undead horde's attack reduced to a single tower, and thechancesoftheramgettingthroughthemaingatereducedtozero.

Rodilaughedandpushedhimselftohisfeet."Wedidit!"hesaid."WeslewKrellandbrokethebackofKemmler'sarmyinonestroke."HegrinnedatGotrek."Notabadnight'swork,wasit,Gurnisson?"

Gotrekwalkedpasthimtowardstheropeswithoutaword,hischestworkingandhisfaceashardandcoldasananvil.

The eager hands of Bosendorfer's greatswords helped Gotrek, Felix, Rodi and Volk over thebattlementsandbackontotheparapet,thenslappedthemjoviallyontheirbacks.

"Well done!" said Sergeant Leffler. "Saved our bacon,mein herr!"VonGeldrecht limped towardsthem through the surging ring of well-wishers, his eyes wide. "You did it, slayers," he said,wonderingly,"Krelldead,thetowersfallen,themoatrestored,athousandzombiescrushedandswept

away,thebattleoverbeforeit'sbegun--"

140

"Thebattle'snotdone,"raspedGotrek,hisfacestillhard.

He pushed roughly through themen and continued down thewall, towardswhere Snorri and vonVolgenandhisknightswereholdingofftheghoulswhospilledfromthelastremainingtower.Rodifollowedhim,butFelixstoppedandlookedforKat.

Shewasatthewall,watchinghimassheshoulderedherbow.

"That was quite a shot," he said, crossing to her and giving her a squeeze. "Where did you findflamingarrows?"

Katheldupherthickwoolscarf,whichnowhadroughholestornintheendofit.

"ThisandsomenaphthafromVolk'scannoncrews."

Felixlaughed."Welldone.Thewholecastleisinyourdebt.Theyoweyouanewscarf,atleast."

Katshowedher teeth."I'll settle forabeast-hidecoat."Felix lookedafter theslayers."If that'swhatyouwant,IthinkIcanobligeyou.

AsGotreksays,'thebattle'snotdone'."

KatsnortedathispatheticimitationoftheSlayer'ssandstonerasp,anddrewherhatchets."Leadon."

Astheystartedsqueezingthroughtheback-slappinggreatswords,Felixfeltsomeone'seyesonhim,and glanced back to find Bosendorfer once again staring at him with undisguised loathing. Felixgrowled and hurried on. Was the greatsword angry that his men had offered Felix theircongratulations?Ridiculous.

HehurriedonwithKat,butbythetimetheyhadcaughtupwiththeslayers,thefightwasover.Thecannoncrewshadsetfiretothelastsiegetower,andSnorriandvonVolgen'sknightshadheldofftheghoulsuntilithadburnedoutfromunderthemandcrashedbackintothemoatinahissingcloudofsteamandsmoke.AsFelix,Kat,RodiandGotrekarrived,theknightswereallcheeringandwipingthesweatfromtheireyes,andSnorriwaslimpingoutfromamongthem,hisfacecoveredinbloodandhiswarhammeroverhisshoulderatajauntyangle.

"GotrekGurnisson!RodiBalkisson!"heboomedashesawthem."Thereyouare!Snorrithinksyoumissedagoodfight!"

Gotrekballedhisfistsatthis,andRodishothimawaryglance,butGotrekonlyturnedandstalkedoffagain,pushingpastFelixandKatunseeing.

Rodishookhisheadashestaredafterhim."Poorcursedbastard,"hesaid.

Felixfrownedathim."Whatdoyoumean?"

Rodilookedup,seeminglysurprisedtohavebeenheard."Ishouldn'thavespoke,"hesaid.

"Aye,"saidFelix."Butyoudid.Whatdidyoumeanbyit?"Theyoungslayerlookeduncomfortable.Heshrugged."Don'ttellhimIsaidit,"saidRodi,"butIfearGurnissoniscursed.Hewillneverfindhisdoom."HeslantedaglanceatSnorri."HeneedstheintercessionofGrimnirmorethanNosebiterdoes."Anhourlater,FelixstaredatthebrokenceilingofhisroomasKatsleptsoundlybesidehim,Rodi'swordsturningoverandoverinhishead.

HehadalwaysthoughtofGotrekasunlucky--atleastasslayersthoughtofluck.

Hehadsurvivedencountersnooneshouldhavesurvived,andslainopponentsheshouldn'thavehadahopeofdefeating.FelixhadalsocometobelievethattheSlayer141

was partly culpable in his continued survival. Not that he ever shied from a fight or turned fromdanger,butasRodihadsaidoncebefore,hewassometimeschoosyabouthisdoom.Hewantedittobeepic.Hewantedittohavemeaning.DyinginsomepointlessbloodbathwasnotthedoomGotrekenvisionedforhimself.Hewantedtodiesavingtheworld.

Butdidhisinabilitytofindhisdoomstemfrommorethanjustbadluckandpride?WastheSlayeractually cursed? Had some god or daemon or mortal sorcerer somehow caused his quest to beendless?Ifso,why?WhathadtheSlayerdonetodeservesuchafate?Wasittiedinwiththefatethedaemonhehadfoughtinthedepthsofthedarkelves'blackarkhadspokenof?ThevaporousbeinghadsaidthatGotrekwastodiefightingonegreaterthanitself.DidthismeanthattheSlayerwasbeingsaved for somegreatdestiny?Did itmean thatnothingcouldkillhimuntil thatdestinymanifesteditself?

Felix grunted and shifted uncomfortably in the cot. There seemed to be precious little differencebetween"destiny"and"curse".

Themoraleof thecastle, sohighafter the restoringof themoatand thedestructionofKemmler'ssiegeenginesthenightbefore,crasheddownagainwiththecomingof thedawnandtherevelationthat their great victory had been all for naught, and every gain the defenders hadmade had beencancelledoutundercoverofdarkness.

FelixandKatwerepulledfromsleepbycriesofhorroranddismay,andafterstrugglingintotheirarmour,madetheirwayuptothewallsunderaloweringgreyskytofindhalfthedefendershuddledagainstacoldwindandstaringsilentlydownoverthebattlements.

Thezombieswereswarmingneartheruinsoftheblasteddike,andlikeantscarryingbitsofdirttomakeananthill,theywerecarryingheavyrockstoitandthrowingthemintothewater.Unlikeants,however,theywerethrowingthemselvesinaswell--fortherocksweretiedaroundtheirnecks,andtheyweresinkingtothebottom.Alreadythemoundofweightedbodieshaddrasticallyconstrictedtheflowofwaterthroughthechannel,andthemoatwashalfthedepthithadbeenwhenithadsweptawaythesiegetowers.

"Istherenothingyoucando,CaptainVolk?"askedvonGeldrechtfromwherehe,vonVolgenandhisofficersstoodwiththeartillerycaptainfurtheralongthewall.

"Shootingat 'emmightslow'emawhile,"saidVolk,shrugging."Butwe'realmostoutofshot.Anddroppingpipe charges into themoatmight shift a few, but they'll just pilemoreon."He shivered."Lookat'emall.They'reendless."Felixdidjustthat,sweepinghiseyesacrossthemistyfieldsbeyondthewalls.

Despitethethousandsofundeadthattheburstingofthedikehadsweptawaythenightbefore,thereseemed just asmany zombies surrounding the castle nowas therehadbeenbefore, perhapsmore.Andatthetreeline,threemoretowerswererising,andanotherbattering-ramwastakingshape.

"Theydon'tneed toeat," saidKat.Theydon'tneed tosleep."Theynever runoutof supplies.Theydon'tcarehowmanytimesweknockdowntheirtowers.Theyjustkeepmakingmore."

VonGeldrechtturnedtoGotrek,whostoodwithRodiandSnorrinexttohimatthewall,andheldouthishands,pleading."HerrSlayer,yousaveduslastnight.Is142

therenothingyoucanthinkoftofixthis?Haveyounoclevertraptodestroythemagain?"

Gotrek grunted, his single eye never looking away from the zombies filling the moat. "Sorry,lordling,"hesaid."Thereisnothingtodobutfight."

"ThatsoundsgoodtoSnorri,"saidSnorri.

VonGeldrechtgroaned,saggingasifsomethinghadbrokenwithinhim,andturnedbacktothewallashisofficersstaredathimindismay.VonVolgengrimacedandleanedintospeaktohimagain,thenglancedupashefeltFelixlookingathim.

Felixturnedaway.Themixtureoffuryandregretinthelord'seyeswastoopainfultosee.

***

Thoughthehopelessnessandthefourdayswithlittlewaterandlessfood,hadmadethemenofthecastlelistless,sickandweak,farworseformoralewasthefactthattherewasnolongeranythingtodobutwait for the end.Thehoardingswere all built and repaired, the river gatewas patched, thesaboteur had been caught and killed, the cannons supplied with all the remaining shot, and everyweaponsharpenedandpolisheduntilitshone.

VonVolgenkepthisknightsbusywithexerciseandwallpatrols,butafterhis too-publicdisplayofdespair, von Geldrecht disappeared into the keep without passing along any orders or words ofencouragement,andhisofficersseemedtohavedecidedtofollowhisexample.Theygavenoorders,nordemandedanydrill, just stood theirwatchwhen itwas their time, and retired to their quarterswhentheyweredone.Consequently, theirmendidnothingaswell,andsathuddledinlittlegroups,gripingandmoaningandinventingrumoursofmoretraitors.Eventheweatheraddedtothelassitude.Heavycloudsloweredoverthecastle,growingdarkerandmoreoppressiveasthedaywentonandfillingtheairwithathick,underseatension.

ThemoodwassummedupperfectlybyaspearmanwhoFelixpassedashepacedthewalls."What'sthepointofdoinganything,"heaskedanotherspearman,"whenthere'snothingtobedone?"

Therewasabriefflurryofexcitementinthemiddleoftheafternoon,whenvonGeldrechtcameout

of the keep briefly to talkwith SisterWillentrude, and vonVolgen accosted him afterwards as hehurriedbacktothestairs.

"Lordsteward,"hecalled,"whenmayweexpecttoseeyouamongus?Yourpresenceisneeded."

VonGeldrecht waved him away and continued up the stairs. "Not now, not now," he said. "I havepressingbusiness."

VonVolgenstoppedatthebottomofthestairs,glaring."Whatbusinesscouldbemorepressingatthistimethanthemoraleofyourmen?Youmustorderthem,mylord."

VonGeldrechtturned,hiseyesfeverishandhisbeardunkempt."Thegrafsummonsme!"hesnarled."AnditishisordersIobey,mylord,notyours!"143

Hehurriedupthestairsandvanishedonceagainintothekeep,andafterafewminutesofmurmuredspeculationabouttheincident,themenreturnedtotheirlethargy,andthedaycontinuedasbefore.

Theslayers,beingpragmatists,sleptwhiletheywaitedforthebattletocome,butFelixandKatweretoo restless, and wandered the castle ceaselessly, helping out where they could, but mostly justwalkingorstaringoutatKemmler'ssiege towersas theygrewlike toadstoolssproutingafter rain.The swarm of activity around the looming constructs was as hypnotising as the gaze of a cobrabeforeitstrikes.

Another restless soulwasBosendorfer,who satwithhisgreatswordson the stepsof the templeofSigmar as they pounded out the dents in their armour and replaced damaged straps and buckles.Thoughhenevermovedfromthespot,FelixfeltBosendorfer'seyesfollowinghimwhereverheandKat went, and all day long his talk was full of loud comments about honour and cowardice anddisruptiveoutsiders--atwhichhismenlaugheduncomfortably.

Felixdidhisbesttoignoreitall,butthen,towardstheendoftheafternoon,thetension,liketheheavyclouds that were gathering over the castle, could no longer hold its burden, and burst into openconflict.

ItstartedwhenoneofSisterWillentrude'sassistantscameoutoftheunderkeepandsaidsomethingtoBosendorfer.The captain andhismen rose and followedher inside, and taking advantageof theirabsence,FelixandKatcamedownoffthewallsandwarmedtheirhandsattheever-burningpyre.

Ashortwhilelater,Bosendorferandthegreatswordscamebackoutoftheunderkeepindoublefile,carrying a corpse between them on a stretcher. Bosendorfer was at the back of the procession,carryingatwo-handedswordoutstretchedinhishandsandchantingaprayer,whileSergeantLefflerwasatthefront,thedoublet,breeksandmorionhelmofagreatswordsuniformheldneatlyfoldedinhisarms.

FelixandKatsteppedbackastheprocessionshuffledtothepyreandthegreatswordslaiddownthedeadmanandmadethesignofthehammeroverhim.

"Besttomakeyourselfscarce,meinherr,"saidLeffleroutofthecornerofhismouth,thennoddedatthecorpse."That'sHinkner,whowaswoundedwhenwewasfightingthemghoulswithyou.Captain

blamesyouforhisdying.Sayshe'dstillbealiveifwehadn'tcomebacktothewallatyercall."Felixsighed."Verywell,I'llretire.Thankyouforthewarning--"

"Itoldyounottospeaktomymen!"

Felixturned.Bosendorferwasstridingtowardsthemangrily,theswordhehadheldinreverencenowgrippedatthehiltandreadytostrike.

Katwhippedoutherskinningknife,butFelixheldherback."Hewasjusttellingmetogetoutoftheway,captain,"hesaid.

Bosendorfer laughed,harsh."Getoutof theway?Youcouldnotgo farenoughunlessyou left thecastle!"HishandsshookashepointedtheswordatFelix'sthroat.

"Thatyouarealivetowitnessthefuneralofamanyoukilledisatravesty!Itshouldbeyouonthispyre,notHinkner."

Felixknewheshouldbackaway.Heknewheshouldsaynothingandleavethecaptainandhismentotheirfuneral,butthatlastjabhadbeentoomuch,andhisangerboiledoveratlast.

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"Iamindeedsadtowitnessthefuneralofabravemanwoundedinbattle,"hesaid,ascoldashecouldmanage."Butifyouwanttothrowsomeoneonthefireforhisdeath,captain,thenitshouldbeyouwhowalksintotheflames."

"What!"criedBosendorfer."Whatdoyousay?"

Felixsteppedclosertohimasmenalloverthecourtyardturnedtolisten."Theothernightwhenwewereraisingtoasts,youaskedusalltopledgedeathtothemanwhohadmurderedthewoundedwho'ddiedintheircots.Doyouremember?"

"OfcourseIremember!"saidBosendorfer."Whathasthattodowiththis?"

"Nothing,butthefactthatyouarethemurderer,"saidFelix."Youaretheonewhokilledthosemen.You are the one who killed Hinkner." Bosendorfer raised the two-handed sword over his head,snarling,buttherewasacastofuneaseinhiseyes,asifhefearedhefacedamadman."Whatareyousaying?

I'vekillednoone!"

"Haven'tyou?"askedFelix."WhoforcedvonGeldrechttohideSurgeonTauberawayforfearofhislife?Andhowmanymenwould still livehadhebeen free tocare for them?Hinknerdidn'tdie inbattle.Hedied fromhiswoundsbecauseTaubercouldn't see to them.Youkilledhim,captain.Youkilledallofthem.Andifyouwishtofightmeoverit,Iamready."

HedrewKaraghulandsaluted, thensteppedbackintoguardas thegatheringcrowdmurmuredandstared.

Bosendorferglaredathim,thenansweredhisguard."Menmayhavedied,butIsavedtherestfromworse.Tauberwouldhavepoisonedusall."Heraisedhischin.

"Whenyouareready,meinherr."

Kat remainedcrouched,herknifeout, looking likeshewanted to intervene,but finallyshesteppedback.Thiswasanaffairofhonournow.ItwasbetweenjustFelixandBosendorfer.

Oritwouldhavebeen,hadnotahigherpowerintervened.

"Hold! Both of you!" cried von Volgen, striding across the courtyard at the head of his knights."Therewillbenofightingamongus!"BosendorfershiftedaroundtofacetheTalabeclandersandhisgreatswordsputtheirhandsontheirweapons.

"Youarenotmycommander,"saidBosendorferstiffly."Youcannotorderme."

"Itisnotamatterofordersandcommand,"saidvonVolgen,stoppingbeforethem."Itisamatterofsurvival.Wemustkilltheenemy,noteachother."

"Buthehasaccusedmeofkillingmyownmen!"shoutedBosendorfer.

"Youdid!"calledsomeoneinthecrowd.

"Itmattersnot,"saidvonVolgen,hiseyesblazing."YouarebothneededtodefendCastleReikguard."HeturnedtoFelix."Apologise,HerrJaeger,forthegoodoftheEmpire."

Felixcurledhislip,defiant.Whyshouldheapologiseforspeakingthetruth?ButafterasecondintheheatofvonVolgen'switheringstare,hesighed.TheTalabeclanderwasright.Fightingeachotherwasinsanity.HebowedtoBosendorfer.

"Forgiveme,captain,"hesaid."Ispokeoutofturn."Bosendorfersneered."Thatisall?Youliedaswell!You--"145

VonVolgenturnedonhim,cuttinghimoffwithagesture."Enough,greatsword!

Accepttheapology."

"DamnedifIwill!"saidBosendorfer,steppingforwards."Hehaslied!He--"VonVolgenbarredhiswaywithhissword."Acceptit,captain,"hesaid,"andcontinuewithyourfuneral."

"Whoareyoutoordermytroops!"

Felix,KatandtheothersturnedandsawvonGeldrechtlurchingdownthestairsfromthekeepattheheadofClassen and a handful of household knights, his sagging face crimson andquiveringwithanger.

VonVolgenbowedtohimasthemobquieted."Forgiveme,mylord,butwouldyouhavemeletthemmurdereachother?"

"Iwouldhaveyouleavetheorderingtome,"vonGeldrechtsnarled,limpingforwards."Youhavenoauthorityhere,nomatterwhatyourrank!"

"NordoIseekit,"saidvonVolgen."Butifyouareabsentwhentroublestarts,whatchoicehaveI?"

"YouhavethechoiceofleavingthecastleifyoudislikethewayIamconductingitsaffairs,"saidvonGeldrecht.

VonVolgen paused at this, his square jaw clenching, and Felixwaited for the explosion.Here, hethought,wasthebreakingoftheTalabeclander'sprinciples.Herewaswheretheaxefell.Inthefaceofsuch arrogant incompetence, could von Volgen really demur once again and let von Geldrechtcontinuetorule?Couldhereallyletsuchstupiditypasswithoutcomment?Felixcertainlyhopednot.

VonVolgenbowed,asstiffasaboard."Thankyou,lordsteward,butIwillstay.

WemustremainunitedifCastleReikguardistostand.Ionlyask--Ionlyaskthatyoureturntousassoonaspossible,andprepareusforthebattleahead."Felixgrunted,disappointed.Theman'smoralcodewasgoingtodoomthemtovonGeldrecht'sleadership,whichwoulddoomthemtodestruction.

Thesteward,however,didnotseempleasedwithvonVolgen'sanswer."Youareorderingmeagain,LordvonVolgen!"hecried."Youaretellingmewhattodo!"

"No,mylord,"saidvonVolgenthroughclenchedteeth."Iamaskingtobeordered.Iamaskingyoutotakecommand!"

VonGeldrecht'sfaceturnedredwithfury,andhelookedlikehewasgoingtolayintovonVolgen,butthenacunninglookcameintohiseyesandheraisedhischins.

"Very well, my lord. Then I command you to surrender your sword to me, and turn over theleadershipofyourmentoSergeantClassen.Youwillbetheguestofthekeepuntilwearerelieved."

VonVolgenstared,stunned,anddidn'tseemtoknowwhattosay,buthismenwerenotsodismayed.Oneofhiscaptainsdrewhissword,andtheothersfollowedsuit.

"Hewillnottakeyouwithoutafight,mylord,"saidthecaptain.

Von Geldrecht stepped back at this show of aggression and waved at Classen and Bosendorfer."Knights,greatswords,"hesaid,"arrestthem."Thetwocaptainshesitated,thensteppedforwardswiththeirmenliningupbehindthem.VonVolgenwatchedthemcome,andFelixcouldseehimweighinghisoptions.Didhedefendhimself?Didhesurrender?Didheorderhismentoattack?

146

FelixlookedatKat.Shenodded,andtheyfellinoneithersideofvonVolgenasthecourtyardlookedon,andBosendorferandClassencontinuedforwardswiththeirtroops.

"Weareyourstoorder,mylord,"murmuredFelix."Wewilldoasyouask."VonVolgengrunted,hisfistwhite-knuckledonthegripofhissword,thenatlastheraisedhisbulldogheadandmadetospeak.

A loud rumble fromabove interrupted him, and the flagstones shookbeneath everyone's feet.Thelords and theirmen froze and looked to thewalls, but the handgunners had raised no alarm. Thesoundhadcomefromthesky.Thelowcloudsoverthecastlehadgrowndarkandpregnantwhilethedramabelowhadunfolded,andlightningnowflashedintheirdepths.Themenstared,rootedtothespot,swordshangingslackintheirhands,andthensomeonesaidwhattheywereallthinking.

"Rain!It'sgoingtorain!"

"Freshwater!"calledaspearman.

"Getawashtub!"criedahandgunner.

Alloverthecourtyardmenturnedandranfortheirquarters,theconfrontationbetweenvonGeldrechtandvonVolgenforgotten.Eventheirowntroopswerestaringatthesky.

But as men began setting out pans and tubs and buckets, von Volgen returned his eyes to vonGeldrecht,wholookedbacktohimaswell,andtheirmenwentonguardagain.FelixheldhisbreathasvonVolgenclenchedhisjawandraisedhissword--

thenreverseditandhelditout.

"Mylordsteward,"hesaid,"IwillnotshedthebloodofEmpiremen.Youmaydowithmeasyouwill."

VonGeldrecht slumped in relief, andmotionedBosendorfer andClassen forwards again, but theystoppedasvonVolgenputupahand.

"But,"hesaid,withaflatsmile,"Iwouldbeforeverinyourdebt,ifyouwouldwaittotakemetomycelluntil Ihadadrinkofwater."VonGeldrecht,whohad stiffenedwhenvonVolgen spokeagain,nowrelaxedandsmiled."Butofcourse,mylord.Iwouldnotbeungracious."Hebowed."Youhavethefreedomofthecourtyarduntilitrains."

VonVolgennoddedhisthanksandturnedtohisknights."Fetchyourkit,"hesaid."Buckets,helmets,anythingthatwillholdwater.Go."Theknightsdidnotlisten.Theyclusteredaroundhim,protestinghisarrest,buthewavedthemdownandtoldthemtodoasheordered,andFelixletoutabreathastheybrokeupandrantocollecttheirpotsandpans.

He would have stood with the Talabeclanders, but the idea of fighting Empire men was just asabhorrenttohimasitwastovonVolgen,andhewasgladithadn'tcometothat--thoughitwasapityvonGeldrechtwasstillincommand.

"Anillwind,"saidKat,echoinghisthoughts.

Felixnoddedand lookedupat theclouds,asClassenandBosendorferdismissed theirmen to findpotsaswell.Itwasgoingtobeabrutalstorm.Hehadrarelyseenthunderheadssomenacing.Butwasithisimagination,ordidthelightningseemedtingedwithred?

147

SEVENTEENAlloverthecourtyard,themennotonwalldutyfeverishlylaidouteveryreceptacletheycouldfind.Inadditiontobowls,potsandbuckets,theyweresettingdownhelmets,wineglasses,tankards,evenchamberpotsandemptypowderkegs.SomegenuflectedtowardsthetempleofSigmartothankhimfor the blessing. SisterWillentrude knelt and prayed to Shallya.VonVolgen's and vonGeldrecht'smen,whoonlymomentsagohadbeenready tokilleachother for theircommanders, laughedandrubbedelbowsastheysetouttheirrain-catchers.

Felix, however, was finding it hard to get into the festive mood, and continued to shoot uneasyglancesat theburgeoningclouds.Theirbellieswerenow thebruisedpurpleofanover-ripeplum,andthelightningthatflickeredthroughthemstillleftacrimsonafterimageonthebacksofhiseyeswhenhelookedaway.Athickfoghadrisentoo,oilyandcold,washingupagainst thewallsof thecastlelikeagreysea,thenspillingdownintothecourtyardsoitwashardtoseeacrosstotheoppositewalls.

ThethunderhadwokenGotrek,RodiandSnorri,andtheyhadjoinedFelixandKatbytheharbourtoscowlattheskywithsuspiciouseyes.

"Something'snotright,"saidGotrek.

"CanKemmlerhavepoisonedtheclouds?"askedKat.

Rodishrugged."Necromancersaretricky."

"Snorridoesn'tthinkitsmellslikerain,"saidSnorri.

Felixinhaled,butcouldn'tsmellanythingbutunwashedbodies,smokeandover-ripedwarf.

"Doublewaterrations!"calledoneofthecooksfromthedoortotheunderkeep.

He and the rest of the kitchen help were rolling out handcarts with open water barrels on them."StewardvonGeldrechthasdeclaredtwoladlesforeveryone!"Agreatcheerroseup,andtheknightsand foot soldiers started streaming towards the barrels, snatching up cups and glasses from thegroundastheywent.

Katstaredafterthem."But...butwhatifitdoesn'train?"Withuneaseslitheringthroughhischest,FelixstartedacrosstheyardwithKatathisside,searchingforvonGeldrecht,andfoundhiminthedoortotheunderkeep,watchingthethrongaroundthebarrelslikeabenevolentlordonafeastingday.

"Mylord,"hesaid,loweringhisvoiceashesteppeduptohim,"thisisagrandgesture,butareyousureit'swise?"

VonGeldrechtturnedcoldeyesonhim."YouthinkIaminterestedinanythingyouhavetosay,HerrJaeger? You stood against me with von Volgen." Felix swallowed, then shrugged. There was nodenyingit."Idid,"saidFelix,"butthatdoesn'tchange--"

148

"Whatcanbewrongwithgivingmymensomethingtheydesperatelyneed?"snappedthesteward.

"Nothing,mylord,"saidKatthroughgrittedteeth."Unlessitdoesn'train."Thestewardgavethemacomical scowl. "Really,Herr Jaeger.Youandyour..."Hisvoice trailedoff asan icywindwhippedthroughthecourtyard,swirling thefogandflickering the torches thatweresetateithersideof theunderkeepdoor.Therewasamoaningonthewindthatsoundedlikethecriesofthewoundedafterabattle,andasitgrewlouder,thelastpurpletintoftwilightfadedfromtheheavycloudsanddarknessfellinaninstant.

Alloverthecourtyardmenlookedup,shiveringatthisunnaturaladventofnight,butthen,intheverynextsecond,therewasablindingflashoflightningandahugepealofthunderdirectlyoverhead,andthecloudsletgoatlast.

Whoopsofjoyechoedfromeverycornerofthecastleasadelugeoffatdropsraineddownonthem,battering their faces and drenching their clothes.Men ran aroundwith their arms outstretched andheadstiltedback,laughinghysterically.

Felixcouldn'thelphimself.Despitehisworries,he joined them.Heclosedhiseyesand spreadhisarms, lettinghimselfgetsoaked to theskin,butasheopenedhismouth to let thedropsfallonhistongue,hesmelledastrangebutfamiliarmetallicodourandwrinkledhisnose.

Therainfeltthickerthanitshouldtoo,andslick,almostgreasy.FelixopenedhiseyesandturnedtoKat,whowas looking down at her cupped hands.He choked. In the yellow light of the torches, italmostlookedlikeshewascoveredin--

"Blood!" screamed someone. "Sigmar have mercy on us all, it's raining blood!" All over thecourtyard the defenders were coming to the same realisation, and it stopped them in their tracks.Some only stared uncomprehendingly up at the clouds, letting the red rain splash on their faces.Others shook and vomited, utterly repulsed, or threw themselves in the harbour to try to cleansethemselves,butthevastmajorityjustragedandwept,thecrashofdisappointmentaftertheirhopesforsalvationhadbeenraisedsohightoomuchforthemtobear.

Aservantholdingasouppotinshakinghandsstaredatthebloodpoolinginit.

"It'snotright.It'snotright."

"Whatarewetodrink?"askedagreatsword,wipingathisface."It'sgotintoeverything."

Then, from beyond the walls came the now-familiar rumble of Kemmler's siege towers, and thegibberingoftheghouls.

"They'recoming!"bellowedahandgunnerfromthewalls."Tothewalls!Tothewalls!"

Kat and the slayers started immediately for the stairs,while captains and sergeants shoutedat theirmenandtriedtopullthemtogether,knockingpotsoutoftheirhandsandhaulingthemtotheirfeet,butasFelixstartedafterhiscomrades,vonVolgensteppedpasthimtovonGeldrechtandsaluted.

"ItseemsIwon'tbegettingmywater,mylord,"hesaid,holdingouthissword.

"SoIamyourprisoner."

149

VonGeldrecht pulledhis eyes away from thehaemorrhaging clouds and stared at him, blood-rainstreamingdownhisface."Are--areyoumad?"hechoked."Gettothewalls!Leadyourmen!"

VonVolgeninclinedhishead,hisfaceimpassive."Verygood,mylord.Thankyou.AndmayIsuggestyoudothesame?"

Von Geldrecht glared after von Volgen, enraged all over again, as the Talabeclander turned andhurriedtohismen,butthegoadseemedtohaveworked,forasFelixranafterKatandtheslayers,heheardthestewardshoutingbehindhim.

"To the walls, Reiklanders!" he roared. "For Castle Reikguard! For the graf!" The zombies werealreadycomingover thebattlementsasFelix,Katand theslayersmounted thewalls.Rottingclawsandmaggot-spewingjawsswipedandsnappedatthedefendersastheyracedtodrivebackthedeadandthrowdowntheirladders.Butthecorpseswereonlythefirstwave.Beyondthem,emergingoutofthefogliketheghostsoflurching,shroudedgiants,cameKemmler'ssiegetowers,theirgangsofskinless beast-corpses marching over bridges of the dead, and their fighting tops crawling withshrieking,red-eyedghouls.Asbefore,twoofthetowerswereaimingforeithersideofthegatehouse,whilethethirdgroanedtowardsthecornernearesttheblastedandrepluggeddike,andallthreeweregoingtohitbeforethemenofCastleReikguardcouldmountasoliddefence.Therewasnowaytheywouldkeepthedeadfromgainingafootholdonthewalls.

"Wewilldefendthegatehouseuntilthehumanscleartheparapet,"saidGotrek,bullingforthedoorintothegatehouse'supperfloor."SnorriNosebiter,youandRodiBalkissonholdthisdoor,"hesaid."Themanling,thelittleoneandIwillholdtheoppositedoor."

"Areyouorderingme,Gurnisson?"snarledRodi,pullingup.

Gotrekdidn'tlookback."Doasyouwill,Balkisson."

"Snorridoesn'tneedanyhelp,RodiBalkisson,"saidSnorri."Hecanholdthedoorhimself."

Rodi shot anangryglanceat theold slayer, then strodeonwith theothers.Ahandgunnerwas justpushingthedoorclosed.Gotrekstoppeditwithahand.

"Letusthrough."

Thegunnercursedandsteppedaside."Hurry,then,"hesnapped."They'rehere."Felixlookedbackasthewallshookundertheirfeet.Themiddlesiegetowerhadslammedintothebattlementsandghoulsweredivingunderthehoardingroofandtearingatthedefenderswithteethandclawsandsharpenedbones.

"In,"saidGotrek.

FelixandKatsteppedthroughthedoorafterhimasSnorriandRoditurnedtodefendit.

"SnorriwillseeyouinGrimnir'shalls,GotrekGurnisson,"saidSnorrioverhisshoulder.

Gotrekwhippedback,glaring."YouarenotgoingtoGrimnir'shalls,SnorriNose--"

Thehandgunnerslammedthedoorshut,cuttinghimoff,thendroppedastoutironbaracrossitandledthemacrossthesmallroomasGotrekcursed.Inthecentre150

oftheroomwasthemechanismthatraisedandloweredthedrawbridgeandportcullis,andopenedthegates.Thiswas the reason thegatehousemustbedefendedatallcosts. If theghoulsbroke in therewouldbenothingtostopthemfromthrowingopenthemaingateandlettingthewholetenthousandzombiespourthroughandswarmthecastle.

Another impact shook the room as they reached the opposite door, and the handgunners whocrouchedatthearrowslotslookedup,uneasy.

"Letusout,"saidGotrek.

Thehandgunnerpaledashelookedthroughtheslotnexttothedoor."Butthey'recoming!They'reonthewall!"

Gotrekfixedhimwithhissingle-eyedglare."Letusout,"herepeated.

Thehandgunnerswallowedandunlockedthedoor,thenpulleditopen."Go!

Go!"

The ghouls were indeed coming. As Gotrek, Felix and Kat strode out into the red rain and thehandgunnerslammedthedoorbehindthem,agibberingwhitetideofthemlaunchedthemselvesoffthesiegetowerintothethin-stretchedknightsandspearmenwhodefendedthebattlements.

The firstwave drove themback from the battlements and the secondwave swarmed left and rightaroundthem--halftowardsthedefencelesscannoncrewatthefarend,andhalfboundingstraightatGotrek,FelixandKat,shriekinglikederangedapes.

Itwasamad,miserablefight.Theblood-rainwasslashinginundertheroofofthehoardinginnearlyhorizontal torrents, blinding them andmaking the stones of the parapet slick and uncertain. Felixhackedattheghoulsasifonice,hisfeetslippingandskatingoutfromunderhimandhamperinghisattacksandblocks.Hisweaknessdidn'thelpeither.

Ithadbeenfourdayssincehehadeatenanythingotherthanabiscuit,andhefelthollowinside.Hisheadspun.Thewallandthehoardingandtheskyreeledaroundhim,refusingtostayintheirproperplaces.Besidehim,Katweavedandstaggered likeshehaddrunkawholekegofbrandy.Theonlyreasoneitherof themwas still alivewasbecause the spacewasnarrowandGotrekwas taking thebruntoftheattacks--butFelixwasbeginningtowonderhowmuchlongertheSlayerwouldlast.

Ashefought,theSlayer'swheezingandcoughingcamebackworsethanbefore,andhisfacegrewasredasapoker.Evenso,hismightyarmsneverstoppedmovingandhisaxeremainedaflashingsteel

streakthatchoppedtirelesslyattheencroachinghorde.Theghoulsfellbeforehiminpieces--heads,armsandlegsflyingeverywhichway--andtheirbodiestoppledleftandright.Theirbloodaddedtothebloodthatfellfromtheskyandraninthegutteralongthebattlementstopouroutthroughtherainspouts.

ThecannoncrewatthefarendofthewallunfortunatelyhadnoGotrektoprotectthem,andFelixsawthemgodownunderaswarmingmassofpaleflesh,defendingtheirguntothelast,thentheghoulswere hurtling down the far stairs and into the courtyard. Felix's blood chilled as he glanced afterthem.Theywerenottheonlyundeadwhohadmadeitoverthewalls.

Zombieswereeverywhere,lefttocrawlunopposedoverthebattlementsasthementriedtodealwiththemoredesperatethreatofthesiegetowersandtheghouls.

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But theghoulshad fought theirway in too.Theknightson the easternwallwereoverrun, and thehorrorswere scrambling over their corpses to leap to the roofs of the residences anddrop to theharbour-side. More were loping towards the knights who had gathered to defend the gatehouse'slowerdoors,andbillowingblackshapesfloatedamongst them--shadesandbanshees thatdrove thedefendersbackwiththeirunearthlyshrieks.

"Gotrek,they'rein,"saidFelix."Andthey'llbethroughthegatehouse'slowerdoorsbeforetheygetthroughus."

TheSlayernoddedandstartedforwards,hisaxeblurring."Tothestairs,then,"hewheezed.

FelixandKatcreptalongbehindhim, stabbingandswipingoverhis shouldersashecutdown thefiendsinawhirlwindofbloodandsteel.Theghouls'clawsandbonedaggerscouldnotstabpasthisflashingblade,norcouldtheydefendthemselvesagainstit,andafterahandfulwerereducedtomeatandsplatteredbrains,therestfledinterror,butthewaywasnotyetclear.Therewerezombiesbehindtheghoulsnow,spewingupoutofthebowelsofthesiegetowerandcloggingthewallinamindlessmass.

Gotrek ploughed into them like a bull crashing through a cornfield, and they died dismembered,headless and trampled underfoot. Before he and Felix and Kat fought halfway down the wall,however,acryandsplinteringcrashfrombelowtoldFelixitwasallfornaught.

Thebansheeshadsenttheknightsfleeinginterrorfromthegatehouse'slowerdoorsandahulkingbeast-corpsewasrammingitswaythroughtheleft-handone,usinghornslikeaballedfisttosplinterthewood.BosendorferandvonVolgenandtheotherremainingdefendersranacrossthecourtyardtostopthem,buttheyweretoolate.Theghoulsswarmedaroundthebeast-zombieasthedoorcavedin,andpouredthroughthedoorliketerriersdownarathole.

Gotrekcutdownthe lastof thezombiesandreachedthestairsonlyasecondlater,andhe,KatandFelixplungedagainintothebloodydownpouranddowntothecourtyardtojointheothers.Ahugehollowboomrockedthemastheygotclose,andtheportcullisshotupinaclatteringwhineofgearsandchains.Felixcursed.Theghoulshaddone it.Theyhadkilled thehandgunnersand reached themechanism.

Thedrawbridgewasdown,andthemaingatewasswingingopen.

"Fall back!" shouted von Geldrecht from somewhere across the courtyard. "Up the stairs! To thekeep!"

Frommuchcloser,vonVolgencountermandedtheorder."Hold!Hold!Blockthegate!"

Bothweredrownedoutbytherumbleofhoovespoundingacrossthedrawbridge.

Felixlookedaround.ThunderingthroughthegatefourabreastwerethearmouredskeletalridersthathadchaseddownvonVolgen'scolumnastheyhadracedforCastleReikguardfivedaysearlier.Theyhadanewleader,askeletal,unarmouredwightwithlongblondehairfixedtoitsskullbyagoldencrownandthedecayingkirtleofsomebarbarianqueenarounditspelvis.Thedeadwarqueenrodeaflame-mouthedblackhorseandheldaloftaflangedmacethatburnedwithviridianfire.

SheandherriderssmashedthroughvonVolgen'shastilyassembledlinelikeitwasn'tthere,tramplingknightsundertheirflashinghoovesandfanningoutacross152

thecourtyardtoridedownfleeingmenasablacktideofdirewolvesflowedinafterthemtotearoutthethroatsofthefallen.

Gotrek set his eyeon thequeen and started through the red rainwith a growl as shedashedout aspearman'sbrainswithhermace.FelixandKatfollowedastheSlayercutdowneverythingbetweenhimandher--zombies,ghouls,wolvesandthemountedwightsthatslashedathimastheygallopedby.

Beforethegatehouse,vonVolgenwasbowingtotheinevitableashepickedhimselfupandlookedaround.Hislinehadbeensmashedandthegatescouldnolongerbeheld.Thezombieswerespillingthrough after the wolves a thousand strong to spread like grey, slow-moving lava across thecourtyard.

"Fallback!"hecalled. "Bring thewounded!Protect the innergate!"Hisknights ralliedaroundhimandmovedinawell-formedsquareforthestairsthatrosetothekeep.Thehouseholdspearmenandknightsandhandgunners,abandonedbyvonGeldrecht--whowasnowheretobeseen--ralliedtovonVolgentoo,andbegantoretreatingoodorder.

Bosendorfer and his greatswords were not retreating. In a mad display of courage, they wereplunging into the heart of the dead riders' ranks, their greatswords carving synchronised figure-eightsintheairbeforethemlikethebladesofsomeoversizedthreshingmachine.

Gotrekploughedintotheancientwarriors'centrefromanotherangle,shatteringbonehorselegsandrippingthroughbronzearmourwitheachswingofhisaxe.KatandFelixstaggeredandfoughtathisflanksandweresoonjoinedbySnorriandRodi,whowereheadtotoeinblood,brainsandbile.

"Snorri thinksweguarded thewrongdoors," saidSnorri, chopping through theneckof a skeletalhorse.

Gotrek decapitated a wing-helmed rider and took another step towards the wight queen, whowassowingcrimsondeathamongstaknotofspearmenonlyafewpacesaway."Theywouldhavegotinwhereverweweren't."

"Aye,"saidRodi."Ifwe'dhadaslayerateachdoor,thegateswouldstillstand."Beneaththebloodthatcoveredhim,theyoungslayerlookedaspaleasanelf,andheweavedasifdrunkashefought.Hehadaknight'ssurcoattiedaroundhismiddlethatbulged,wetandred,justabovehisbelt.

"Rodi,"saidKat,"you'rehurt."

Rodishrugged."Aghoulgotlucky.Hookedmygutsout.Hadtostuffthembackin."

FelixandKatblanchedatthisrevelation,butRodifoughtonundisturbed.

Gotrekbroughtdownanotherriderandtheancientqueenwasatlastbeforehim,slashingaroundwithhermaceasherflame-mouthedmountkickedinheadswithitshoovesandcrimsonrainflungfromhergoldenhair.

"Turn,bonehag!"roaredGotrek."Turnanddie!"

Butasthequeenwheeledtofacehim,Bosendorferandhisgreatswordschoppedthroughtheridersonherrightandcrashedintoherfromtheside,theirtwo-handedswordsrisingandfalling.Thewarqueen shrilled with fury and swung her flaming mace, shattering a handful of long blades andclubbingBosendorfertotheground.

153

Herridersandherwolvessurgedaroundher,slashingandsnappingatBosendorferandhismen.

Gotrekroaredandbulledahead,asifangryatbeingupstaged,andKat,Felixandtheslayerssloggedafterhim,smashingthroughtheriderstothequeen.SheswungdownatGotrekwithhermace,andheslashed upwith his rune axe tomeet it. The evil weapon shattered as if it had beenmade of ice,flaminggreenchunksspinningeverywhere,andshefellbackwithanunearthlywail.

Gotrek'snextblowtookthequeen'sarmoffattheelbow,andsheturnedherhorse,tryingtoflee,butSnorriandRodicutthelegsoutfromunderitandthethreeslayerschoppedherintodustasshefelltotheground.

Herridershowled,andfellupontheslayersandthegreatswordsinafrenzy.

"Protectthecaptain!"shoutedSergeantLeffler,standingoverBosendorfer,wholayunconsciousontheredwetground,hisbreastplatecrushedandhislegabloodyruin.

FelixlookedaroundasheandKatfoughttheirwaytothemandtheslayerstradedblowswiththeringofriders.Theywerealmostthelastmeninthecourtyard.VonVolgenandhisknightswereprotectingthebottomofthestairsthatrosetothekeep,whileClassenandthehouseholdknightswereescortingSisterWillentrude and a line of limpingwounded from the underkeep. Almost everyone else hadretired.

"Gethimup,"saidFelixtoLeffler."Makeforthekeep."

"Aye,meinherr," said the sergeant. "Idon'tknowwhatgot intohim,but itwasbravework.Damn

brave."

Felix turned toGotrek, Rodi and Snorri. "Slayers, lead us to the stairs."Gotrek nodded andRodismiled.

"Aye,"hesaid."Thenweholdthem--tothedeath."

"Tothedeath!"repeatedSnorri.

Gotrek shot the old slayer a glowering look at this, but said nothing, only stepped in front of thegreatswordswithFelixandKatathissides,andbegancuttingapaththroughtheridersandthewolvesand the rain towards the stairs. Snorri and Rodi took up rearguard positions and the greatswordsstarted forwards in double file, guarding the flanks as Leffler carried their fallen captain betweenthem.

Ahead, Sister Willentrude was guiding the last of the line of wounded up the stairs as Classen'sknightsjoinedvonVolgen'sinprotectingtheirretreat.Asurgingmassofundeadcrushedinonthemfromallsides--zombiesreachingandgroaning,wolveslunging,ghoulsslashing,shadesshrieking,deadbeastmenloomingaboveandswingingponderousclaws,whilebatsflasheddownfromaboveandtheskeletalriderschargedinwithspearslowered,tramplingthelivingandthedeadalikeintheirhomicidaldesiretoreachtheknights.

IntothebackofthismurderousmobslammedFelix,Kat, thegreatswordsandtheslayers,axesandswordsand two-handers flashingandsprayingbloodas theyseveredspinesandnecksandcrushedheadsandchests.On thewalls,under thehoardings, thegreatswordshadnotbeenat theirbest,buthere,intheopen,wheretheyhadroomtoswing,theireffectivenesswasastonishing.Nothingcouldreachinsidethegreatsweepingarcsoftheircuts,andtheymoweddownzombieandghoulandbeast-corpsealikewithoutbreakingstep.

154

TheknightsaroundvonVolgenandClassencheered to see themcomingand foughtwith renewedvigour,cuttingaholeintheundead'sfrontlineforthemtopassthrough.

VonVolgenclappedFelixontheshoulderashestumbledoutofthemeleeafterGotrek."Upyougo,meinherr,"hesaid,grinningthroughbloodyteeth."Ibelieveyouarethelast."

"We will be the last," said Gotrek, turning back to the wall of undead as the greatswords carriedBosendorferthroughthelineswithSnorriandRodifollowing.

"Tellyourmentoretire,lordling.Wewillholdtherear."VonVolgennodded."Verygood,Slayer,"hesaid."Agooddoomtoyou."Thenheraisedhisvoiceandbeganshoutingorderstohistroops.

GotrekturnedtoFelix."Gowiththem,manling,andtakeSnorriNosebiterwithyou.RodiBalkissonandIwillholduntilthegateisclosed--andafter."Snorriturned,lookingconfused."Snorriwantstoholdthegatetoo."

"SnorrihastogotoKarakKadrinbeforehefindshisdoom,remember,FatherRustskull?"saidRodi.

"Yes,"saidSnorrisullenly."Snorriremembers."

"Come,Snorri,"saidFelix,andstartedforthestairswithKat."Guardthegreatswords'retreat."

Snorri scowled, but took up the rear as Felix andKat led the greatswords up the narrow, curvingstairstothegatehouseofthekeep.Thoughthezombiescouldnotreachthemonthesteps,theywereopentothesky,andthehugebatsswoopeddownattheminroilingcloudsastheyclimbed.Felixmusthavecuthalfadozenoutoftheairbythetimetheyreachedthetopstep,andKathaddonethesame,whiletwogreatswordshadbeentornfromthestepsbytheirclaws,andtherestwerebleeding.

Morebatswereattackingthegatehouseastheyturnedtowardsit,andFelixsawSisterWillentrudeandahandfuloftatteredspearmenfendingthemoffasthetailendofthecolumnofwoundedmenlimpedinbehindthem.

"Foulbeasts!"criedthesister,wavingabrokenspear."Getaway!"Cursing,FelixandKatrantohelp,butjustastheyreachedher,abatslammedintothesister'sback,smashingherface-firstintoapillarthatflankedthegate,andbitingherneck.

"No!"

Felix slashed at the thing, half-severing awing. It flailed, shrieking, and ripped away from SisterWillentrudetoflapathim,clawinghisforearm.Felixshoveditbackasittoremailandflesh.Itwastooclosetohitwithhissword.Thenitwasgone,itsheadcavedinbySnorri'sblurringhammer,andfloppingtotheground.

Felixletoutabreathandwrunghisbloodiedarm."Thankyou,Snorri."KathelpedSisterWillentrudetoherkneesasthegreatswordsfilledinallaroundthem.BloodwaspumpingthroughtheShallyan'sfingersasshepressedthemtoherneck.

"Getherin!"saidFelixtothespearmenwhofoughtoffthebats."AndtakeCaptainBosendorfer.Wewillholdthegate!Snorri,greatswords,formaline!"Thespearmenlookedrelieved,andgladlytookBosendorferandthesisteras thegreatswordsandtheoldslayer turnedtodefendthegate. Itwasn'tuntilheandKat155

hadrankedupwiththemandbegunhackingatthebatsthatFelixrealisedhehadlikelyoversteppedhisbounds.

HeglancedatLeffler,fightingathisside."Myapologies.Ididn'tmeantoorderyou,sergeant."

Lefflergrinned."Whystopnow,meinherr?Yerjustgettin'goodatit."Felixlaugheduncomfortablyandfoughton,swingingat theclatteringbatsasvonVolgen'smentoppedthestairsandranfortheshelterofthegate.Thewoundsinhisforearm,whichFelixhadhardlyfeltwhenthebathadclawedhim,werethrobbingnow,andhisarmwasstiffeninglikeithadbeenbeaten.BloodwasrunningdownhiswristandslickingKaraghul'shilt.

Heglanceddowntothesteps.Adoublefileofarmouredwightswashalfwayup,hackingatGotrekandRodi,whowerebackingup,onestepatatime,andprotectingClassen'sknightsastheyretired.

Felix allowed himself a tiny sigh of relief as he killed another bat.Thanks to vonVolgen and the

slayers, theretreat intothekeepwasgoingassmoothlyascouldbehoped.Therehadbeenterriblecasualties, of course, but after the initial panic, vonVolgen's orders and the slayers' impenetrabledefencehadstoppeditfrombeingacompleteslaughter.Itcouldhavebeenmuchworse.

Kat'sshriekbroughthisheadaroundandsnappedhimfromhisoptimisticdaydream.Ahugeshadowsweptoverhead,cuttingofftherainforaneyeblink,thenbankedandshotdownstraightatthegate--straightathim.

FelixandKatandthegreatswordsdivedasideasKrell'swyvernlandedhardinfrontofthegate,itsclawsscraping trenches in theflagstones,andKrell flunghimselfoutof thesaddle tostandbeforethem,slashingwithhisaxe.

Felix stared, stunned. Krell shouldn't be standing there. Felix had seen him fall into themoat justbefore thedoorsexploded.Hismount too.The fireballhadengulfed them,andyethere theywere.Krelllookednonetheworseforwear.IndeedallthegreatgashesthatGotrekandRodihadchoppedintohisarmourwhentheyhadknockedhimintothemoatweregoneasiftheyhadneverbeen.Hiswyvern,however,lookedmorepatchworkthanever,withfreshstitchesholdingtogetherthedisparatehidesthatmadeupitstorso,anditsheadandneckwereburnedblackandshowedskullandvertebraethroughthecharredmeat.

Twoof thegreatswordsdiedbyKrell's axebefore theycould standagain,but the rest attacked thetoweringwightkingasone,theirlongbladeswhirlingintheircustomarysynchronisation.Snorriledthecharge,bashingatKrell'skneeswithhishammeranddrivinghimbacktowardsthewyvern.

"Standback,manlings!"heroared."Snorrineedssomeroomtoswing!"

"No,Nosebiter!Youwillnotfight!"

FelixlookedupasheandKatjoinedthegreatswords'line.GotrekandRodiwereelbowingthroughClassen'sknightstothetopofthestairs,axeshigh.

"Leavehimtous,FatherRustskull!"shoutedRodi.

Thesurcoathehadwrappedaroundhimselfhadcomeloose,andhisentrailswerehangingoutofhisbelly.Hedidn'tseemtonotice.

KrellturnedfromSnorriandthegreatswordsasGotrekleaptonthewyvernfrombehindandsevereditslongneckwithasingleblow,thenranonwithRodi.Krell156

roared and swiped as they launched themselves at him, gashing Rodi's shoulder with his axe andcuttingtwoinchesoffGotrek'screst.

ThetwoslayersrolledpasthimtocometotheirfeetbeforethegatewhileClassen'sknightsswarmedafterthemandsurroundedhim.

Gotrekwavedthemon."Goin,"hegrowled."Closethegate.Thisisourdoom."

"Aye,"saidSnorri,steppingoutfromthegreatswords'linetojoinhimandRodi.

"Thisisslayers'work."

KrellslashedatthemandnearlytookSnorri'sheadoff,buttheoldslayergothishammerupintime,andthecutonlyknockedhimoffhisfeet.

"Curseyou,Nosebiter!"

Gotrek charged forwardswithRodi to driveKrell back fromSnorri, andClassen and his knightstookadvantageandranforthegate.FelixandKathesitatedastheyranpast.Thegreatswordswaitedwiththem.

"Willyoustay?"askedKat,asSnorripickedhimselfupandtheoakandirondoorsofthegatehousebegantoswingslowlyclosed.

Felix chewedhis lip.The armouredwightswere topping the stairs now, and surging in to supportKrell, while Snorri hefted his hammer and started forwards again.Which vow did Felix honour?GotrekhadtoldhimtokeepSnorrisafe,butaftersomanyyearsfightingbesideGotrek, itseemedwrongtoturnaway.

"Go in, manling," shouted the Slayer as Krell and the wights knocked him back and drove Roditowards thegate."And takeSnorriNosebiterwithyou."Snorrikeptwalkingahead."Snorridoesn'twant--"

"Idon'tcarewhatSnorridoesn'twant!"roaredGotrekasheblockedandbackedaway."Goin!"

Snorrisnorted,butthenstopped,fistsbunched,andwatchedasGotrekandRodifoughtinthecentreofKrellandthewights.

Felix looked back towards the doors. The gap between them was getting awfully narrow. "Uh,Snorri...?"

Withanenragedsnort,theoldslayerturnedandwalkedthroughthegate,asangryasFelixhadeverseen him. Felix andKat breathed a sigh of relief and followed him in as the greatswords filed inbehind them.Once inside,Snorri turned andglaredback through the closingdoors. Felix andKatjoinedhim,staringasKrellandtheancientwightsbatteredGotrekandRodiinexorablybacktowardsthegate.

AtremorofrealisationwentthroughFelixashewatched.Thiswasit.ThiswasGotrek'sdoomatlast.Hefacedtoomanyopponents.Hewouldneversurvive.Atleastitwasagooddoom--certainlybetterthandying fromslivers in theheart--and ifhekilledKrell, then theSlayer's famewasassured.Hewouldberememberedasoneofthegreatestheroesofdwarfhistory.Felix'seyesbrimmed.Andwhatapoemitwouldmake!Alaststand.Aclosingdoor.Tworivalsunitedagainstdeathlessevil,fightingshouldertoshoulder.

Butthen,withthedoorsalmosttoonarrowforadwarftopassthrough,RodisuddenlydroppedhisshoulderandslammedintoGotrekfromtheside,surprisinghimandknockinghimoffbalance,thenshovedhimbackthroughthegap.

"Sorry,GotrekGurnisson,"calledtheyoungslayerasGotrekcrasheddowninsidethedoors."You

willnotrobmeofanotherdoom!"157

FelixandKatandSnorristaredinshockasGotrekboundedupandtriedtosqueezebackthroughthegap,butitwastoosmallnowandhecouldn'tgetbetweenthedoors.

"Treacherousbeardling!"Gotrekroared,pullingdesperately."We'dbothhavehadourdooms!"

"No,Gurnisson,wewouldnot!" criedRodi ashe slashedatKrell and thearmouredwights. "Evenhere,evenwithabellywound,evenwiththedoorsclosed,wewouldhavesurvived!Youarecursed,Gurnisson!Youwillneverfindyourdoom!Norwillanyonearoundyou!Grimnirmocksyou,andIwillnotbepartofthejoke!"Gotrekpulledwithallhismight,butatlasthehadtosnatchhishandsfromthegaptokeepthemfrombeingcrushed.HeturnedonClassenasthedoorsboomedshut.

"Openthem!"heshouted."Letmeout!"

TheknightsergeantedgedbackinthefaceoftheSlayer'sfury,butshookhishead."No,herrdwarf.Iwillnotriskthekeepforyourpersonalwishes."Gotrekglaredathimforalongmoment,breathingheavily, then grunted and turned back as themuffled clash of steel against steel rose to a feverishtempobeyondthedoors,andawhoopoffiercejoysangabovethetumult--thenwascutshort.

Afterthat,allthatcouldbeheardwasthehissofthecrimsonrainandthechopofaxesandswordsagainst theoak and ironof thedoors.Gotrek's shoulders slumpedandhe stood facing them,headbowed,whileClassencalledformentomanthemurderholesanddriveKrellandthewightsawaywithgunfireandboulders.

KatandSnorribowedtheirheadstoo,andsodidFelix,thoughhewasn'tsurehowhefelt.Rodihadbeenasharp-tonguedcompanion,andhot-headedaswell.

Nonetheless,Felixhadlikedhim.Hehadbeenquickandfunnyandbrave,butnowthathehadstolenadoomfromGotrek,thosememorieswerebeginningtosour.

"Cursed,"saidGotrek,thenturnedandstartedintothekeep'scourtyardalongafterthem,mumblingunderhisbreath.

FelixandKatfellinbehindhim,withSnorrihobbling.

158

EIGHTEEN"Howmanystill live?"askedvonGeldrecht,thenamendedhisquestionashelookedaround."Howmanycanstillfight?"

Felixlookedaroundtoo.He,GotrekandKatstoodwiththesteward,vonVolgenandtheremainingofficersatthesideofBosendorfer,wholaywincinguponacotinthebackcornerofalargecellarroomwithin the keep. In normal times the roomwas a chapel belonging toKarl Franz's personalretinueofReiksguardknights.Nowitwascarpetedwiththewoundedandthedying,andtheprayersweretoShallya,notSigmar.

FelixhadmadeafairnumberofprayerstotheLadyofMercyhimselfsincetheretreattothekeep.Kathadcleanedandboundtheclawwoundsonhisforearmasbestshecould,butthebat'stalonsmusthavebeendiseased,forthearmwasnowstiffandhot,andtheedgesofthegashesredandpainfultothe touch. Still, he could hold a sword, and he could walk, and in this company, that ranked himamong the able. Most of von Geldrecht's remaining officers were no better off, and some wereworse--withsplintedarms,seepingheadwounds,missingfingersandmissingeyes.

AtleastthemadangerthathaddrivenBosendorfertochallengeFelixtoaduel,andwhichhadcausedvonGeldrechttoordervonVolgen'sarrest,seemedtohavebledoutwiththebloodtheyhadalllost.ThestewardseemedinnodangerofsendingvonVolgentothedungeon,andBosendorferhadn'tevenlooked at Felix since he had woken from unconsciousness. They were all too weary for suchnonsensenow.

"Six," said the greatsword captain, glancing to where Sergeant Leffler and his greatswords sat,bindingeachother'swounds."Buttherewouldbesevenifsomeonewouldseetothisleg.Where'sthatdamnedsister?"

"Sheisinneedofasisterherself,"saidvonGeldrecht."LordvonVolgen?"

"Fourteen,"saidvonVolgen."Thougheventhefittestcanbarelystandinhisarmour."

"There's only me," said an artilleryman Felix didn't know. "But all the powder's down in theunderkeepwherewecan'tgettoit,andthere'snocannonshotforthetopgunsanyway."

Lookingathim,Felixrealisedalmostalltheofficerswereunfamiliartohimnow.

Volkwasdead,Hultzofthehandgunnerswasdead,andFelixwastoonumbtomourntheirloss,orremember ifhehadseen themdie.Even theyoungspearmanwhohad taken theplaceofAbelung,whohadtakentheplaceofZeismann,hadbeenreplacedbyanevenyoungerspearman.Theboyhadpeachfuzzonhischinandathousand-yardstare.OnlyBosendorferandvonVolgenwereleftofthosewhohadcommandedbeforethefightingbegan,andthewoundinBosendorfer'slegthathehadtakenfromthewightqueen'smacewouldbethedeathofhim.

159

Theboyfromthespearmenwipedathischeek.Itwascakedinblood.Allthemenwere,fromheadto

foot. Drying, it looked like they were iron statues, gone to rust. "Eleven, my lord," said the boy."Eleven.Eleven."

"Idon'tknow,"saidayoungriverwarden."Therest tookshelter in theunderkeep.Icouldn'tget tothem,soIcameuphere.There--therewasfifteenbeforethebattle."

"Theywillbedeadbynow,"saidvonGeldrechtblankly."Handgunner?"

"Nine,"saidthehandgunner."Andwe'venopowderorshoteither."Classenhadtobenudgedawake.

"Eh?"hesaid,lookingaround.

"Howmanyofyourcompanycanstillfight,knightsergeant?"askedvonGeldrecht.

"Nineteen,"saidClassen."Thoughit'llbelessbymorning."VonGeldrechtswunghisheadaroundtoGotrek,FelixandKat."Andwearelessoneslayer,yes?"Hiseyesglitteredangrily."Diedoutsidethegatewhenhecouldhavebackedthroughthedoorsandfoughtagain."

"Aslayer'sdoomisnoone'sbusinessbuthisown,"raspedGotrek.

"Evenwhenhemayhavedoomedtherestofuswithit?"askedBosendorfer.

"Wemaydietonightforwantofhisaxe."

"Wewillalldietonight,"saidGotrek."RodiBalkisson'saxewouldmakenodifference."

VonGeldrecht looked at him sourly. "Less of that talk, dwarf.Would you have us give up hope?Wouldyouhaveusgiveupfighting?"Katsnorted."Youcertainlydid,"shemuttered,butfortunatelyonlyFelixheardher.

"Iwillfight,"saidGotrek."Thedwarfswouldhavediedoutlongagoifweonlyfoughtwhentherewashope."

"Aye,"saidvonVolgen."Wemustfight.Theremaybenohopeforus,butwearestillthehopeoftheEmpire.WefightnowtoslowKemmleraslongaspossible,andgiveKarlFranztimetoprepareforhiscoming."

"Wellsaid,"saidvonGeldrecht,lookingasifhewishedhe'dbeentheonewhohadsaidit."ThoughI'd hoped we might survive at least one more night." He looked around at them all. "Is thatimpossible?"

Classen raisedhis chin. "Wewill try,my lord.Wewill die fighting tomake it..."A figuremovingtowardsthemcausedhimtotrailoff inmid-sentence.Theothers lookedaround.SisterWillentrudewasshufflingthroughtheranksofthewounded,themakeshiftbandagethathadbeenwrappedaroundher terribleneckwoundasblood-soakedasheronce-whiteShallyan robes.Shewas staringatvonGeldrechtwithalookofdulldespaironherravagedface.

"Sister,"saidvonGeldrecht,"youshouldnotbeupfromyourbed.Whatisthematter?Istheresomenewcalamity?"

"She's come to look atmy leg," saidBosendorfer. "Let her through."ButSisterWillentrudedidn'tlook at him, only raised her arms as if shewished to be comforted and stumbled on towards thesteward,moaning.

160

VonGeldrechtsteppedback,eyeswidening,astheothersbegantostand."Sister?

Areyouwell?"

"Drawyoursword, fool!"shoutedGotrek,pushingforwards."She is--"Beforehecouldfinish, thesisterfelluponvonGeldrecht,herhandsclawingathischestandherjawssnappingathisneck.Thestewardbarkedinterrorandshovedherback,andGotrek'saxebitdeepintoherside, thenseveredherheadasshesprawledtothefloor.

VonGeldrechtandtheotherleaderslookeddownattheheadlesscorpseinstunnedsilence,asfromallovertheroom,thewoundedshoutedandtriedtostand.

"Thedwarfkilledthesister!"criedone.

"Killhim!"

"Lordsteward,arresthim!"

VonGeldrechthelduphishandsassomeofthemenstartedlurchingtowardsthem,ballingtheirfists.

"Gobacktoyourbeds,"hesaid."Shewasalreadydead.She--shehadturned."Theangrylooksturnedtomasksofgriefanddisbelief.Thefistslowered.

"Notthesister,"saidone."Nother."

BesideFelix,Katsobbedquietly."Butwesavedher,"shemurmured."Wesavedher."

Heputhisarmaroundhershoulder.Shedidn'tseemtonotice.

VonGeldrechtstaredatthesister'sheadlessbody,thensighedagain."Thankyou,gentlemen,"hesaid."IwillgoinformGrafReiklanderofournumbersandourprospects.Pleasebeginyourpreparationsfortonight'sattack.Iwillrejoinyousoon."Heturnedandlimpedaway,leaningheavilyonhiscane,astheothersbegantodisperseandBosendorferstaredatthecorpseofSisterWillentrude.

"Butwho'sgoingtolookatmyleg?"heasked.

Felixglaredathim,andhad to restrainhimself fromleapingupand throttlinghim.Themanmostresponsibleforthedeathsofthewoundedsincethesiegebegan,andnowhewasmoaningabouthislegnotbeingseento?Itwouldbethemostpoeticofjusticetoseehimdieforwantofasurgeon,but...buthewasn'ttheonlyonewounded,washe?Therewasawholechapelfullofhurtmen.AndFelix'sarmneededattentionaswell.

FelixgruntedtohisfeetandstartedaftervonGeldrecht.

"Mylordsteward,"hesaidashecaughtuptohim."Iknowyoumustbewearyofmyasking,butwithSisterWillentrudedead,Imusttryagain.WillyoureleaseTauberandlethimdohisjob?"

VonGeldrechtturned,andFelixwasafraidhewasgoingtogetanotherearful,butinsteadthestewardjuststaredathimforalongmoment,andthennodded."Verywell,HerrJaeger,"hesaid."Verywell."He pulled his ring of keys off his belt and unhooked the clasp, then selected an age-blackenedskeletonkeyanddrewitoff.

"I'mafraidI'veleftittoolate,"hesaid,holdingitout."Andforthat,Iapologise.Butasyourdwarffriendsays,justbecausethereisnohope,doesn'tmeanoneshouldstopfighting."

HedroppedthekeyinFelix'soutstretchedhand,thenturnedandstartedoffagain."Goodluck,HerrJaeger."

161

FelixandKatfollowedanoldservantdownnarrowstepsasheheldupalantern.

"StewardsaidIwasn'ttoletnoonedownhere,"hesaid."Notonnoaccount.Butasyouhavethekey."

He stepped from the stairs into a cramped corridor then led them through a barred door into arectangular room lined with sturdy iron-banded doors, each with a tiny window and a slot at thebottomforfood.

"HerrDoktorisinthisone,"hesaid,pointing."Hisassistantsinthat."FelixandKatstartedtothedoorheindicated,butthenascufflingnoisebroughttheirheadsaround.Therewerenoisescomingfromanothercell.

"Who'sthat?"cameasharpvoice."Arey'zombies?"

Ahang-dogfaceappearedatthewindowofadoorontheoppositewall.Morecrowdedinbehindit.

"Draeger!"saidKat.

"Thedwarf-loverandhiscat,isit?"askedDraeger."What'shappened?Weheardfightin',butnobodycameforus--notthatI'mcomplainin',mind."

"The lowercourtyard'sbeen lost,"saidFelix."We'reall in thekeepnow."Heturned to theservant."Willthiskeyopenthiscell?"

"Aye,"theservantsaid."Opensallof'em."

"Hangon!"saidDraeger."Whosayswewantt'comeout?"Felixshrugged."Stayifyouwant,butnexttimeit'llbethedeadwhocomeknocking."

Draegerbithislipandturned,andtherewasawhisperedconversationbehindthedoor,thenheturnedback."Letusout,then.We'llgodownwithourswordsinourhands,thanks."

Felix nodded and opened the cell. Draeger and his militiamen staggered out wearily, and blinked

around.

"Muchobliged,meinherr,"saidDraeger, touchinghisbrow,thenstartedfortheguardroom."Ourkit'sthisway,lads.Comeon."

Astheyfiledout,theservantcrossedtoTauber'scellandhelduphislanternsothatFelixcouldputthekeyinthelock.

"Youhavevisitors,DoktorTauber!"hecalled.

Therewasnoresponsefromwithin.

ThekeyshriekedandstuckasFelixtwistedit,butturnedatlastandtheboltshotback.Hepulledonthehandle,thenpeeredinwithKatasthedoorcreakedopen.Atthebackofthecellwasalowcot,andlyinguponit,facetothewallandarmshugginghisknees,wasafilthy,emaciatedfigure.

Felixlitacandlefromthelampandgavethekeytothefootman."Letouthisassistants,please."

"Yes,meinherr."

As the man shuffled away, Felix stepped in. "Doktor Tauber?" he said. "Doktor Tauber, are youawake?Ihavewaterforyou."

Therewas still no response.Kat drew her skinning knife and crept forwards at Felix's side. Felixunderstoodhercaution.IfTauberhaddied,hemightwellriseandattackthem.

162

FelixreachedoutandshookhisshoulderasKatheldthebladeready.

"DoktorTauber?"

Theman jerkedandgrunted,andKatandFelixsteppedback,wary,butwhenhe turnedhishead tolookatthem,therewasintelligenceinhisblinking,squintingeyes.

"So,"hesaid,inavoicelikedrypaper."VonGeldrechtisgonethen?"Felixsmiled."No,herrDoktor,hestilllives.Buthehasrelentedatlast.Hewantsyoutoseetothewounded."

Tauberfrownedatthis,thenrolledbackoverandclosedhiseyesagain."Letthemrot."

Felixsighed.Hehadbeenafraidofthis."Doktor,theyneedyou."

"Whatcouldtheypossiblyneedawarlockfor?"croakedTauber."Aretheybeggingforpoisonnow?"

"Youarenowarlock,"saidFelix."Youdidn'tpoisonanyone."Hepulledthestopperfromajughehadfoundwithhalfaninchofwaterinit."Here.Ihavewater."Tauberdidn'tlookaround."BosendorfercertainlythoughtIdid,"hesaid,sneering."OrwishedIhad.Andtherestbelievedhim.WhyshouldIhelpthefoolswhowantedmekilled?"

"ForthegoodoftheEmpire,"saidFelix."WehavetoholdbackKemmler'sforceaslongaswecan."

Tauberrolledoverandlookedupathim,smilingthinly."Meinherr,Imayhavebeenlockeddownhere,butevenIknowthatthecastlewillfallnomatterwhatIdo--andsoon."Hechuckled."Wouldyouliketotryagain?"Felixopenedhismouth,buthedidn'tknowwhatotherargumenttomake.Maybeheshouldtrythreateningtheman.Maybehecouldforcehimtowork.

KatlaidahandonTauber'sshoulder."Becauseyouareadoctor,"shesaid."Ifyouaretodie,itshouldbedoingwhatyoudo."

Tauberstaredatherfora longmoment,hisbrowsloweringas ifhewasgoingtosnarlather,butthenheclosedhiseyes."You...yousaidtherewaswater?"FelixheldoutthejugasKathelpedhimtositup.Heseemedtohavelostnearlyhalfhisweight,andlookedmorethaneverlikeastarvedcrowwithabaddisposition.

Hetookthejuginclawedhandsanddrank,butonlyinsips,moaningandshiveringwithrelief.Felixshot Kat a grateful look over his head. Why hadn't he thought of that argument? She shrugged,embarrassed,thensteadiedTauberasheloweredthecanteenwithagaspandopenedhiseyes.

"Helpmeup,"hesaid."Iamready."

TauberstoppedjustbeforethedooroftheReiksguardchapel,makingFelixandKatandhisassistantsjolt to a stopbehindhim.Hepeered throughat themenwho lay ingroaning rowson itspolishedstonefloor,andhishandsclenchedathissides.

Thehateinthedoctor'seyesmadeFelixswallow,andhewonderedifhehadmadeaterriblemistake.TaubermaynothavebeenapoisonerwhenBosendorfer and theothershadaccusedhimof it, butwhat ifhisunjust imprisonmentandtheir loathingofhimhadmadehimone?What ifTauberwentintothechapelandproceededtokilleveryonehetouched?

"Don'tletthemturnyouintowhattheythinkyouare,doktor,"hesaid.

163

Taubergavehimaghastlysmile."Fearnot,HerrJaeger.Ihavetoomuchprideforthat."

The doctor straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath, then strode into the room withsomethingapproachinghisoldhauteur.AsFelixandKatfollowedhimin,Felixsawthemenlookupathim,andwincedat thefearandmistrust thatflashedin theireyes.Tauberpaidtheirreactionsnomind.

"Whoismostgrievouslyhurt?"heasked,raisinghisvoice."Whoisclosesttodeath?"

Therewasachorusofpleadingatthis,butasTauberraiseduphishandsfororder,SergeantLefflersteppednexttoFelixandwhisperedinhisear.

"Please,meinherr,Iknowhewon'tliketodoit,butifyoucouldaskhimtolookatthecaptain?"

Felix grunted.Tauber likelywouldn't like it at all, considering, butLefflerwas right.Bosendorfer

wouldbedeadwithinthehourifhislegwasn'tseento.

"Thisway,doktor,"hesaid,andledhimtothecotwhereBosendorferlayasLefflermurmuredhisthanksbehindhim.

Thegreatswordturnedpaleashesawthedoctorapproach,andgrippedthesidesofthecotasifhewantedtoflee.

Tauber smiled down at him like a wolf. "Don't worry, captain," he said. "It will be my greatestvengeancetomakeyouwholeagain."

Felixsatagainstthechapelwall,tryingtostayawakelongenoughforTaubertogetaroundtohim,but it was a struggle. Despite the throbbing pain in his arm, sleep pulled at him like an anchor,dragging his head down to his chest. He was so tired from the five days of endless fighting andrebuildingandfightingandrebuildingthathefeltencasedinlead.Besidehim,Katlookedaswearyashefelt,staringatnothingwhileGotrekandSnorrisnoredthunderouslynexttoher.

Afewminutes later,TauberfinallyhisseddownbeforeFelix,andgavehimawearysmile.Hewasmovinglikeamantwicehisage,butdespitethat,heseemedalmostcheerful.Kathadapparentlybeenright.Therewasnogreatertonicthanlettingamandowhathedidwell.

"Now,Herr Jaeger," he said, "what canwe do for you?" Felix folded back his sleeve to show themakeshiftbandageKathadtiedaroundtheclawwounds.Taubersnippedthroughtheclothwithapairofscissorsandpulleditaway.Hissmilefaded.

AcoldlumpformedinFelix'schest."Isitthatbad?"heasked.

Taubersighed."WereSisterWillentrudestillalive,youwouldbeinlittledifficulty,forherprayerswouldhavedrivenouttheinfectionandthewoundswouldhaveeventuallyhealedontheirown.Asitis,theyaretoofargone.Icanonlywashandbandagethemandtellyoutopray."

"There'snothingelsetobedone?"askedKat.

Tauberpursedhislips."Ifyouwerestrongenough,yourbodymightfightofftheinfection,butnoneofus isatourstrongestat themoment,eh?"He lookedoverhisshoulderat the rowsofwounded."Theyareallinthesamefix.Aproperfield164

hospital,withwaterandShallyanprayersandfood,andmostofthemwouldlive.

Here, despite my best efforts, most will die within a day--perhaps sooner." Felix swallowed, hisstomachsinking,andTaubersawit.

"I'm sorry, Herr Jaeger," he said. "My bedside manner leaves something to be desired, I know.Forgiveme.Youwillhaveperhapsalittlelonger.Youmayevenpullthrough,foryouhaveagoodconstitution,butunlessyoureceiveproperattentionsoon,yourchancesareslim."Heshrugged,thensnapped his fingers at the assistant who stood behind him with a satchel full of bandages andmakeshiftimplements."Buthere,letusdowhatwecando.Evenalittleattentionmayhelp,no?"

WhenTauberhadmovedon,KatandFelixsatsilentforalongwhile,leaningagainsteachotherand

holdinghands.Thecripplingweariness thathaddraggedatFelix stillweighedhimdown,butnowsleepwouldnottakehim.Tauber'swordshadstrucktoohard.

"I hadn't really given up hope until now," said Felix at last. "Gotrek and I have been in helplesssituationssooften,andwe'vealwayscutourwayoutsomehow,but...butyoucan'tfightsicknesswithaxeandsword."Katnodded."Whatdayisit?Howlongbeforethereliefissupposedtocome?"Felixtriedtothinkback.Itwasdifficult.Itallseemedlikeonelong,miserablenight."FourdayssincevonGeldrechtsentthepigeon?"hesaid."Five?"

"AndsevendaystogetherefromAltdorf,"saidKat.

Felixnodded."Theywillgetheretoolate."

"Then thismay be our last day alive," saidKat. "Our last day... together." Felix looked at her andswallowed,thenforcedasmile."Don'tberidiculous,Kat.

We'llbetogetherforever,marchingsidebysidebehindKemmler'sbanner."Kat'seyeswidened,butthenshelaughedandcircledhisarmwithhers."Aslongasit'ssidebyside,Felix,Iamcontent."

FelixblinkedupoutofadreaminwhichhehadgotintoacontestwithGotrekoverwhocouldkeeptheirarminaroaringfirethelongest.GotrekhadbeenlaughingandsneeringatFelixasheheldhishanduncaringdeepwithin theflames,whileFelixhadsweatedandgrittedhis teetheven thoughhehadonlyheldhisarmattheveryedgeofthefire.

The dream faded as he took in the murmuring hubbub that was going on around him, but thethrobbingheatinhisarmdidnot.Helookeddownathiswoundandsawthatthesickredofinfectionhadspreadbeyondhisbandagesnow.Hisheadseemedtopulsewithittoo,andhisvisionwasblurryanddoubled.

"What'shappening?"murmuredKat."Anotherattack?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidFelix.

"It'snotanattack,"saidGotrek,sittingupbesideSnorri,whosnoredon,undisturbed.

Felix squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again and the double visionwent away, though theblurrinessremained.Atthefarendoftheroom,beyondwhere165

Draeger and his militiamen had made their berth, the officers were again gathered aroundBosendorfer'scot,andappearedtobearguing.

"Buthecan't!"Bosendorferwassaying."He'saTalabeclander."

"Heisalsoalord,"saidSergeantClassen.

"Comeon,manling,"saidGotrek,standing.

"Stayhere,Kat,"saidFelix."We'llseewhatitis."Shenodded,andFelixpushedhimselfupfromthewall,thenhadtoholdhimselfthereastheworlddidsomersaultsaroundhim.Whenatlasteverything

stoppedmoving,hesteppedoverSnorriandstumbledaftertheSlayer."Youhaven'taskedifIwantit,"vonVolgenwassayingastheyjoinedthecirclearoundBosendorfer.

"Well,doyou?"askedthehandgunner.

Thelordlookedaroundatthemall,endingonBosendorfer."IfIamasked,Iwilldoit.ButIwillnotaskitformyself."

"What'sgoingon?"askedGotrek.

Classenlookedupathim."LordStewardvonGeldrechthasdisappeared,"hesaid."Heisnowhereinthekeep."

166

NINETEEN"Smalllossthere,"gruntedGotrek.

"You insult our commander?" snapped Bosendorfer. "Have a care, herr dwarf!" The greatswordseemedmuchrecovered,hislegwoundneatlyboundandhiseyesalert.Tauberhadbeenasgoodashisword.

"Whathappenedtohim?"askedFelix.

"Nooneknows,"saidClassen."Anduntilwefindhim,weneedanewleader."

"HasanyonegonetospeakwithGrafReiklander?"askedvonVolgen.

"IaskedtoseehimwhenwefoundvonGeldrechtgone,"saidClassen."ButGrafinAveleinturnedmeaway.Shesaidthegrafwastoosicktospeak."

"HewasnevertoosicktospeaktovonGeldrecht,"mutteredthespearman.

"Doesthismeannoonehasbeeninthegraf'sapartments?"askedvonVolgen.

"Couldthestewardbewithin?"

"Thegrafinsaidhewasnot,"saidClassen.

Felixsuddenlyrememberedhislastencounterwiththesteward,andasinkingsuspicionicedhisguts."WhenwasvonGeldrechtdiscoveredmissing?"heasked.

"Noonehasseenhimsincehewenttotellthegrafoursituation,"saidClassen."Iassumedheretiredtohisroomsafterwards,butheisnottherenow,andnoonehasseenhimsinceheenteredthekeep."

"Ithinkhehasescaped,"saidFelix.

Everyheadturnedtohim.

"Escaped?"saidBosendorfer.

"How?"askedClassen."Wearetrapped."

"Whydoyouthinkthis,HerrJaeger?"askedvonVolgen."Didhespeaktoyou?"

"It--itwasn'tsomuchwhathesaid,but..."Felixfrowned."ItwaswhenhegavemethekeytoTauber'scell.Hesaidhewasafraidhe'dleftittoolate,andheapologised,then--thenhesaid'goodluck'."Helooked around at the others. "It didn't occur to me at the time, but now that I think back on it, itsoundedlikehewassayinggoodbye."

A dark laugh came from behind them and they turned. Tauberwas limping towards them, an evilsmilewrinklinghispinchedface.

"Thatisexactlywhathewassaying,meinenherren,"hesaid."LordStewardvonGeldrechthasfled,andleftyouallbehind."

"What?"barkedBosendorfer."Andhowwouldyouknowthis,lockedinyourcell?"

"Becauseheaskedmyhelptodoit,"saidTauber.

"Whatdoyoumean?"saideveryoneinunison.

"Whywouldthestewardwanttoleave?"askedvonVolgen.

167

Tauberlaughed."Don'tyouwanttoleave,mylord?Icertainlydo."

"Answerthequestion,curseyou!"barkedBosendorfer.

"Iwould imaginehe left,"saidTauber,shrugging,"becausehefinallyconvinced thegrafin togivehimthelastofherhusband'sgold."

"Are you saying," asked vonVolgen as the othersmurmured in surprise, "that vonGeldrechtwasstealingfromthegraf?"

"For years," said Tauber. "And he might have gone on indefinitely except that the graf had thetemerity to die--which complicated everything." The men stared, stunned, at this casualpronouncement,butBosendorferjoltedup,strugglingtorisefromhiscot.

"What lie is this?"he cried. "Thegraf isn't dead, youvillain!The stewardhasgivenushis orderseverydaysincewecameback!"

"Indeed,"saidTauber."Andwhobutthestewardhasseenhimsincethen?"Themenlookedaroundateachother,waitingforsomeonetospeak,butthenClassencriedout.

"Hiswife!"hesaid."Thegrafinneverleaveshisside!"

"Yes!" saidBosendorfer, turningonTauber. "Thegrafin! If thegrafwasdead, don't you think shewouldhavesaidsomething?"

"Aye,thegrafin,"saidTauber,noddingsadly."ItwasforhersakethatIbecamepartofthis."

"Partofwhat?"askedvonVolgen."Tellitfromthebeginning."Taubernodded,thenpulledupastooland hissed down into it, grimacing. "I'm sorry, gentlemen," he said. "It is too long a story to tellstanding."

"Justgetonwithit,"saidClassen.

Tauberinclinedhisheadpolitely,thenbegan."AsIsaid,vonGeldrechthadbeenembezzlingfromthegrafforyears,andwhenArchaoninvaded,vonGeldrechtwaswellpleasedtostaybehindwhenthegrafmarched north, forwith everyone away, his thieving could be even bolder.Unfortunately for

him,thegraftookaterriblewoundatSokh,andthoughIdidmybest,andkepthimaliveallthroughourlongmarchbackfromthenorth,hediedofitwithinaweekofreturningtoCastleReikguard."Themengroanedatthis,andBosendorfercursed.

"Idon'tbelieveit,"hesaid.

VonVolgenwavedhimsilentandmotionedforthesurgeontocontinue.

Taubersighed."WhenvonGeldrechtfoundthegrafdeadinhisbed,hecametomebeforehewenttothegrafin.Hesaidtheladywasnearlymadwithgriefoverthegraf'ssuffering,andhedidn'twanttopush her over the edge by telling her he had died. He begged me to tell her instead that he wascomatose,andthatwithrestandcare,hewouldrecover."Tauberscowled."Ithoughtthiswasfoolish,but eventually allowedmyself to be convinced.Unfortunately,while Iwas lying to the grafin, vonGeldrechtwas lying tome.The real reasonhewantedher to thinkherhusbandwas still alivewasgreed.With thedeathof thegraf,CastleReikguardwouldpass tohis son,Dominic, amuchmoresuspiciousfellowthanhisfather,andvonGeldrechtfearedhisembezzlementwouldbediscovered."

Hecoughed,thencontinued."VonGeldrechtthereforedecidedtoleavebeforeDominicreturned,but,greedyfoolthathewas,hedidn'twanttogowithouttaking168

allhecould,andthemostvaluable,portable,untraceabletreasureinthecastlewasachestofdwarfgoldlockedawayinasecretchamberinthegraf'srooms.Thedifficultywas,vonGeldrechtcouldn'topenit.Boththekeyandlockwerecunninglyhidden,andonlytwopeopleknewtheirsecret--thegrafandthegrafin--andthegrafwasdead."

"Sohewenttoworkonthegrafin,"saidFelix.

"Verygood,HerrJaeger,"saidTauber."Hedidindeed.Hetoldherhusbandcouldbebroughtoutofhis'comatosestate'byagreatphysicianinAltdorf,butthatthemanchargedafortunetoperformhismiracles.He toldher shewouldneedall thegold in thesecretchamber topayhim."Hesmiled. "IlearnedallthiswhenvonGeldrechtcametomeasecondtime.Thegrafinhadgrownsuspiciousofhisstory,sothestewardaskedmetobackhimup,andwaswillingtogivemeashareofthegoldformycooperation."

"Whichyougladlytook,"saidBosendorfer,glaring.

Tauber curled his lip. "I did not. The grafwas a goodmaster and a true nobleman, and I had nointentionofhelpingthatfatvillainrobhim,butheremindedmethatIhadalreadyliedtothegrafinaboutthegraf,andhethreatenedtotellherIhadkilledhim."Thesurgeonlookeddown."I--Ishouldhavestillsaidno.ButIfearedthenoose.So,intheend,Iagreedtodoashesaid,but--"Helaughedsuddenly."Butevenwithmy'learned'opinionbackinguphislies,thegrafinstillhesitated.Shesaidshe'dhadvisionsofakindlyoldwisemanwhotoldherthatifshewaitedandprayedtoSigmar,herhusbandwouldrisefromhisbedagain."

"Andshebelievedthis?"askedvonVolgen.

Taubernodded."Ibelieveherfearsforherhusbandtwistedhermind."Hechuckled."Andwasn'tvonGeldrechtvexedtofindthathesuddenlyhadarivalinamadwoman'svisions?Hedidhisbest,telling

her thedreamswere falsevisions sentby someevil sorcerer,but shewouldnotbedissuaded, andwouldnotgivehimthegold."

Heshruggedand lookedaroundat themall."Then,asyouknow,Kemmler'shordesurrounded thecastle,andvonGeldrecht'sdeparturegrewevenmorecomplicated.Fortunately,heknewofanescapetunnelbuiltbyKarlFranz'sgreat-grandfather,butdespitehisdirewarningstothegrafinthatthegrafwouldbekilledwhenKemmlerconqueredthecastle,shestillrefusedtogiveuphopethatthekindlyoldwisemanwouldcomeandsavehim."

TaubernoddedtoFelix."ThisistherealreasonvonGeldrechthadmelockedup,meinherr,andwhyyoucouldnotconvincehimtoletmego.Hehadmevisitthegrafineveryday,tellingthepoorlunaticthat the graf's conditionwasworsening, and that hemust get away swiftly to Altdorf with all thegold."Heshookhishead."Therusestillfailedwhenlastwetriedit,butitseemshefinallygothertodoit--orperhapshedecidedhecouldn'twaitanylonger,andfledwithoutthegold.Eitherway,heisgone.Andnow,"hesaid,standingwithagroan,"Imustbegettingbacktomypatients.Gooddaytoyou,gentlemen."

Heinclinedhisheadtothemall,thenturnedandlimpedtothenextcotintherow.

Themenlookedaroundateachother,stunned.

169

"Itmustbelies,"saidBosendorfer."Itmustbe."

"Andifitisn't?"askedthehandgunner."Ifthesteward'sfledandGrafReiklanderisdead,isthereanyreasontostayhere?Let'sfindthissecretpassageandgomeetthereliefcolumn."

"Aye!"saidtheyoungspearman."Nowthatisaplan."VonVolgenglaredatthemboth."Thereasonfor staying is the same as it everwas.We stay to slowKemmler's hordes and allowa force to beassembledagainsthim.Noonewillbetakingthatpassage."

Gotrekgruntedhisapproval,asdidClassen.

"InominateLordvonVolgenascommander,"hesaid.

"Talabeclanderorno,heisthewisestandmostexperiencedofus."

"Seconded,"saidtheartilleryman.

Classen lookedaroundat therestof them.Thespearmanandhandgunnernodded,butBosendorferlookedtruculent.

"WemustseeifGrafReiklanderistrulydeadfirst,"hesaid."I'llnotgiveovercommandofthecastleifourlordstilllives."

VonVolgennodded."Onthis Iagree,"hesaid."Letusgo to thegraf'sapartmentsanddiscover thetruthofthesurgeon'sstory."Felix,GotrekandtheofficersrosestifflywhileSergeantLefflercameforwardstohelpBosendorfertohisfeet,thentuckedhisshoulderunderhisarm.Astheyallfollowed

vonVolgentowardsthedoor,KatleftSnorrisnoringandjoinedthem.

"Whathappened?"Katwhispered.

"VonGeldrechthasfled,"saidFelix,"andwegotoseeifthegrafstilllives."

"Hefled?"sheasked,surprised.

"Aye,"saidFelix."Hehadbeenwaitingallthistimewhilehetriedtogetsomegoldoutofthegrafin.Wedon'tknowifhegotit,orgaveup,butheisgone."TheysteppedfromtheReiksguard'sresidenceandblinkedinthedrearylightofanovercastafternoon.Onthewalls, thefewremainingspearmenand handgunners shuffled through their patrols,while amixed force ofReikland andTalabeclandknights piled stones and barrels andwhatever else they could find against themain gates to blockthem.Felixshivered.Itwouldbenightagainsoon,andtheendwouldcomeatlast.

Afewmomentslater,aftertheyhadclimbedtothemiddlefloorofthekeep,vonVolgenknockedontheoakdoorsofthegraf'squarters.

"Mylord!"hecalled."GrafinAvelein,areyou there?"Therewasnoanswer.FelixandKatand theotherslookedaroundateachotherastheywaited.Gotrekonlystaredatthedoor,armsfoldedacrosshismassivechest.

VonVolgenknockedagain."GrafinAvelein,ifyoudonotopenthedoor,wewillbeforcedtobreakitinforfearofyoursafety."

Therewasstillnoanswer.VonVolgensighedanddrewhissword,butGotrekpulledhisaxefromhisback.

"Letme,"hesaid.

VonVolgensteppedaside,andGotreksmashedthelockplate,thenkickedinthedoubledoors.

170

Agustofhotcloyingairboiledoutofthedarkroom,andeveryonechokedandcoveredtheirnoses.Felix's eyes teared up. It smelled strongly of cinnamon and cloves and Estalian incense, butunderneathallthespicewasanother,moreworryingsmell.

FelixandKatfollowedGotrek,vonVolgenandtheothersintothediminterior.

Therewerenolampslit.Theonlylightcamefromcracksbetweenthedrawncurtains,andwasbarelyenoughtoseeby.

"MyladyAvelein?"calledvonVolgen,ashecrossedtheentryhall."Areyouhere?"

Asobbingcamefromsomewherefurtherinsidetheapartments.VonVolgenstartedtowardsitandtherest followed, edging uneasily through an arched doorway into a larger room. The incense wasstrongerhere,aswasthesecond,underlyingstench,whichFelixcouldnolongerdenywasthereekofrottingflesh.VonVolgencrossedtoawindowandthrewbackthedrapes, lettingthelightof the

overcastafternoonilluminateastrangesadscene.

Theroomwasagrandandrichlyfurnishedbedchamber,withpanelledwallsandamassivecanopiedbed in the centre, and slumped beside the bed, head down, was Grafin Avelein Reiklander, hervermilliondressesspreadingacrosstheArabyrugslikeapoolofvelvetblood.Herrighthandwasstretchedouttoholdtheshrivelledclawofacorpsethatlayproppedupamidsttasselledpillowsuponthebed--andtherewasnodoubtitwasacorpse.Thefacewassunkenandgaunt,itslipspulledbackfromitsteethanditseyeswitheredinhollowedsockets.Awoundonitsneckhadbeensewnshut,butthe edges had pulled away from the stitches, revealing dry, black meat within. There were flieseverywhere.

Bosendorferstared,pole-axed."Hewastellingthetruth,"hemumbled."Tauberwastellingthetruth."

HeletgoofLeffler'sshoulderandsank,stillstaring,intoachair.Felixdidn'twonderathisreaction.ThegreatswordhaderectedhistowerofrageagainstTauberuponthebeliefthathewasavillainandliarinallthings,butherewasproofthatthestorythesurgeonhadtoldofGrafReiklanderwastrue,andifthatmuchwastrue...

VonVolgensteppedtothegrafinandhoveredaboveher,uncomfortable.

"Lady--"

Sheflinchedathisvoice,butdidnototherwisemove."Goaway,"shesobbed.

"Leaveusalone!"

"Lady,"hesaidagain."Iapologisefor intrudinguponyourgrief,butwithyourstewardapparentlyfled,wehadtolearnifGrafReiklanderwasdeadsothat--"

"He isnotdead!"sheshrieked, raisingherhead toglareathimwith red-rimmedeyes."He isonlysick!Verysick!"Shehadapurplingbruiseunderoneeye.

VonVolgenlookedbackattheothers,hissquare,bulldogfaceamaskofdiscomfort,butnooneelseseemedinclinedtospeakup.Heclenchedhisjaw,thenturnedbacktoher.

"Grafin,"hesaid,"IunderstandvonGeldrechtandthesurgeon,Tauber, toldyouthatyourhusbandlived,but...buttheylied.Heisdead,lady.Iamsorry."Aveleinstood,eyesblazing,andslappedhimhardacrosstheface."Heisnotdead!"shecried."Ihavebeenpromised!Hewillrisefromhisbed!Hewillreturntome!"

171

"Whopromisedyouthis?"askedvonVolgen."VonGeldrecht?Hashe--"Aveleinturnedawayfromhim."VonGeldrechtbetrayedme!"shesnapped."IknewIshouldn'thavetrustedhim!Iknewtheoldmanwastellingthetruth."

"VonGeldrechtbetrayedyou?"askedClassen."How?"

Aveleinputherhand toherbruisedcheekandclosedher eyes. "He said thenecromancer'shordes

wouldoverrunthecastlebeforetheoldmancouldrevivemylord,andhepromisedtotakeusawayandusemylord'sgoldtohealhiminAltdorf,but..."Shegesturedtothewall."ButwhenIopenedthesecretchamber,he--hestruckmeandstoleitall."

SobsovercameheragainandvonVolgensteppedforwardstocomforther,puttingawkwardhandsonhershoulders.

"Iamsorry,lady,"hesaid."Hisdeceptionshavehurtusall."FelixglancedtowardswhereAveleinhadgestured.A panel on the farwallwas not quite flush.He crossed to itwithGotrek andKat as thegrafincontinuedtoweep.

"I should never have listened," she said. "I knewhewas lying.But he toldme the outerwalls hadfallen."

Felixpulledonthepanel.Itwasheavierthanheexpected,andasitswungouthesawitwasaffixedtoadoorofstoneafootthick.Insidewasasmallclosetwithjewelleryandjewelledweaponsonshelves,andinthemiddle,aniron-boundchest,itslidthrownbackandentirelyempty.

"IonlyIhopeIhaven'toffended theoldmanby losingfaith inhim,"continued thegrafinasFelixblinkedattheemptychest."Ionlyhopehestillcomes,nowthatIhaveopenedthedoorforhim."

VonVolgenandtheothersfrozeatthesewords,andFelix,KatandGotreklookedaround.Openedthedoor?What door? Suddenly the grafin's fancy of the oldman soundedmore concrete, andmorethreatening.TheimageofKemmlerinhisguiseasHanstheHermitflashedthroughFelix'smind.Ifthenecromancercouldwearoneguise,hecouldundoubtedlywearanother.Hadhebeenappearingtotheimpressionablegrafininherdreams?

"My lord," said Felix, starting back towards the bedwithGotrek andKat. "My lord, I fear Imayknow--"

VonVolgenwavedhimdownandleanedtowardsthegrafin,forcingasmile.

"Forgiveme,Grafin,butIwasnotlisteningcloselybefore.Pleasetellmemoreofthisoldman,andthedooryouhave--"

Hebrokeoffasfootstepsclatteredinthecorridor.Everyoneturned,handsfallingtotheirweapons,butitwasnoundeadhoststridingin,butCaptainDraegerandhismilitiamen,withafewofthecastle'sspearmenandhandgunnersskulkingattheback--morethantwentymeninall.OnlyBosendorferdidnotlookupattheirentrance,justcontinuedtoslumpinhischair,staringatnothing.

VonVolgenglaredatDraeger."Whatisthis,captain?"

"Aye,"saidClassen."Youscumaren'tallowedinhere!"Draegersnorted."WayIseeit,everything'sallowednow. It'severymanforhimself."He jerkedhis thumbathischest. "And thismanwants toleave,sowhere'sthisescapetunnel,then?"

172

Felixgroaned.ApparentlytheirdiscussionaboutvonGeldrechthadbeenoverheard.

VonVolgen'sfacegrewhardandcold."Thereisnoescapetunnel.Noonewillleavethiscastle.Wewillfighttotheendoruntilwearerelieved."

"Verybraveofyou,m'lord,"saidDraeger."ButIthinkIlikethesteward'swaybetter.Now--"

Oneofhislieutenantsgrabbedhisarmandpointedtowardsthehiddencloset,thedoorofwhichwasstillajar. "Captain!"hecried."Thepassage!"Draeger'seyes litupandhestarted towards it. "Goodeye,Mucker.Thisway,lads!"

"Thatisnotthepassage!"barkedvonVolgen."Getawayfromthere!"HeandClassentriedtoblocktheway,but themilitiamenswarmedpast them, laughingand jeering,andDraegerhauledopen thedoortothecloset.Thelaughingstoppedastheylookedin.Draegercursed,andhismengrumbled.

"Yousee,fool,"saidvonVolgen,pushingtohim."Onlyacloset.Nowgetbacktoyourposts."

Draegerignoredhimandturned,laughing,tohismen."Notears,lads,"hesaid.

"Itain'tawayout,butIdoseeourback-pay,eh?"Hereachedintothecloset,grinning."Lookatallthemsparklers."

VonVolgengrabbedDraeger and threwhimback into hismen, then stepped in front of the panel."Backtoyourposts."

Gotrek,Felix,Katandtheyoungofficersjoinedhimandblockedthecloset.OnlyBosendorferandSergeantLeffler remainedwhere theywere, the captain still and unseeing in his chair andLefflerkneelingbesidehim.

Draeger snarled and drew his sword as his men went on guard. The officers reached for theirweaponsandGotrekraisedhisfists,butvonVolgenheldupahand.

"Noblades,gentlemen,"hesaid."Thesemenmustbefightingfitwhenwearedonehere."

"Oh, we will be," said Draeger. "Killing unarmed men is easy." A horrendous crash boomedoverhead,jarringbothsidesfromtheirfightingstances,andeveryonelookedupattheceiling.Heavymailedfootstepsclankedacrossit--dozensofthem.

"Whatisthat?"askedClassen.

GrafinAveleinrosefromherhusband'sdeathbedandliftedherhandstotheceilingasifinwelcome."Hehascome,"shesaid."Theoldmanhascomethroughthedoor."

173

TWENTYBeforeanyonecouldstopher,thegrafinranoutofthebedchamber,callingjoyously.

"Oldman!ThankSigmaryou'vecome!Myhusbandawaitsyou!"

"Grafin!Stop!"barkedvonVolgen,andhurriedafterher.

Gotrek was right behind him, pulling his axe from his back, and Felix, Kat and Classen swiftlyfollowed. The other young officers fell in behind them, the handgunner and artilleryman drawingtheirbackswords,and thespearmanbrandishinghisspearwith tremblinghands.Draeger,however,stayedwherehewas,staringattheceilingwithwideeyeswhilehismenhuddledaroundhim.Inhischair,BosendorfercontinuedtostareatnothingasSergeantLefflerwhisperedurgentlyinhisear.

"Theescapetunnel,"murmuredClassenastheytroopedintotheentryhall."ThemadwomanhasletthemthroughKarlFranz'sescapetunnel."AsGotrekandvonVolgenstrodeforthebrokendoors,arankwindblewinatthem,carryingwithitagraveyardstenchthatoverpoweredtheroom'sincenseandmadeKatandFelixchokeandretch."Oldman!"cameAvelein'svoicefromthecorridor."Oldman,thisway--"

Thensuddenlyhergladcriesbecameawailofabject terror,whichwas immediatelyeclipsedbyahigh, crazed laugh. Felix groaned as he heard it, all his fears confirmed.But as he and the othersfollowedGotrek and vonVolgen into the corridor, itwasn'tHans theHermit thatwaswaiting forthem,butafigureinfinitelymoreterrifying.

Grafin Avelein lay shrieking at the base of the flight of stairs that led up to Karl Franz's privateapartmentsasmorethantwodozenenormous,barbaricallyarmouredwightsclankeddowntowardsherinaverdigrisedtide,andasinisterfigureonthelandingabovelaughedlikeajackal.

ThefigurelookednothingliketheoldhermitwhohadledthemfromBrasthoftotheBarrenHills.Hisgrinwasnottoothless,hisshoulderswerenothunched,norwerehisrobesandbeardblackwithfilth.Insteadatall,cadaveroussorcererinapeakedhatandlonggreyrobesgrinneddownatthem,agnarled, skull-topped staff clutched in one taloned hand. Gone was Hans the Hermit's saggingscabrousflesh.

Gonewerehisweak,wateryeyes.Intheirplacewasskinlikescarredleatherstretchedoverbonesassharpasblades,andeyeslikeblackpitsofhate,fivehundredyearsdeep.Onlyhisvoicewasthesame.

"Greetings,mymasters!"hesaid."AreyounotpleasedtoseeoldHansagain?

DoyounotlikethebitsofboneandbronzeIfoundinthoseoldtombs?"HalfthearmouredwightstrampledoverGrafinAveleinandcontinueddown thestairs to theground floor,but theotherhalfchargedstraightforGotrekandtheothers,green-firedeyesocketsblazing.Gotrekroaredawordlesschallengeand174

sprangtomeetthem,andhisfirstaxeswingshearedthroughthearmourandbonesoftheleaderliketheyweresomuchcheeseandchalk.Hissecondcutthelegsoutfromundertwomore.

TheSlayercouldn'tfightthemall,however,andtoomanysurgedpasthimforvonVolgen,Felix,Katand theofficers.Felix andKat fell back instantly, the axeblowsof thewights asheavyas ahousefalling,andtheotherswereintroubletoo.

Theyoungspearmanwasbackingaway, theheadofhisspearshearedoff,and thehandgunnerandartillerymanwereretreatingwithhim,theirbackswordsnomatchforthecorrodedaxes.VonVolgenandClassenfoughtshouldertoshoulder,butstaggeredwitheveryimpact.EvenGotrekwashavingdifficultyholdinghisground,andhisbreathwasagaincomingraggedandraw.

FelixglaredbacktowardsReiklander'sapartmentsasheduckedaviciousswipe.

"Draeger! Get out here! Fight for once in your miserable life!" But it wasn't Draeger and hismilitiamenwho charged out of the door, but Bosendorfer, arm in armwith Sergeant Leffler, andlurching like theywere in a three-legged race.Bothhad their sideweaponsout--a long sword forBosendorferandamaceforLeffler--andtheythrewthemselvesintothefraylikemenpossessed.

Thesergeantshatteredtheskullofthewightthatthreatenedthehandgunner,andBosendorferknockedbackanotherwithawildstrike,thenfellanddraggedLefflerdownashisbadlegbuckledunderhim.

Cursing,FelixandKatkickedbackawightandhauledthegreatswordtohisfeet.

"Fallback,captain,"saidFelix."Youcan'tfightononeleg!"

"Itriedtotellhim,meinherr,"saidLeffler,gettingunderBosendorfer'sarmagain.

"No,Imust!"criedthegreatsword,lungingforwardsagain."ImustdotheworkofthemenIkilled."

Felix andKat fought forwardswith them,protecting their flanks aswights came in fromall sides.Felixhada lump inhis throat.Confrontedat lastwithTauber's innocence,Bosendorferhad finallyrealisedwhathehaddonebykeepingthesurgeonfromhiswork,andhaddecidedhemustdieforit.

NorwasBosendorfertheonlyonewithregrets.Atthesametimeasheflailedatthewightsinsuicidalfury,GrafinAveleinstoodandshoutedatKemmler,tearsstreamingdownherbruisedcheeks.

"You promised me!" she cried. "You promised me my husband would rise from his bed. Youpromisedmehewouldtakemeinhisarmsagain!"

"Andsoheshall,dearestheart,"saidKemmler."Indeedhecomestoyouevennow.Look!"

Avelein turned towards the apartments and wailed, bringing everyone's heads around. StaggeringstifflythroughthedesperatemeleecameGrafReiklander,astainednightshirthanginglooseabouthisshrunkenlimbs.

FelixandKatstaredatthegrafasClassenandtheyoungerofficersfellbackinsuperstitioushorror,butGotrekandvonVolgenknewnofearandswungforhisneckashepassed.

The wights blocked their strikes and crowded them back, allowing the graf to shamble on, andAveleinflewtohim,weeping."Grafin!"calledFelix."Beware!"175

"Oh,Falken,"shesobbed,throwingherselfintohisarms."Iknewyouweren'tdead.Iknewit!"GrafReiklandertoreherthroatoutwithhisteeth.Assheslumpedinhisbonyarms,arteryspurting,Gotrekatlastbrokethroughthewights,buthedidn'tattackthezombiegraf.Instead,witharoaroffury,hechargedstraightupthestairsforKemmler,theruneonhisaxeflaringbright.

Kemmlercriedoutinfearandraisedhisstaff,andthelandingwasallatoncechokedwithmistandshadowsthatblossomedlikeflamesfromhiscloak.TheSlayerplungedintotheswirlingdarkness,axehigh,butasecondlatertheclouddissipatedagainandrevealedhimslashingaroundatnothing,aloneonthelanding.

Atthesametime,asFelixandKatfellbackanotherstepbeforethewights'

attacks, tendrilsofdarknessbegan tocurlaroundGrafReiklanderandAvelein,whonowstoodonher own, dead-eyed, as blood streamed down her neck.Kemmler appeared out of themist behindthem,thenopenedhiscloakandenvelopedtheminitsblackfolds.

"Come,children,wehaveworktodo,"hesaid,thenraisedhisvoicetothewights."Finishthem,thenjoinyourbrothersatthegate."Gotrekbellowedandthunderedbackdownthestairs,butthegrafandthegrafinandthenecromancervanishedintothecloudofsmoke,andbythetimehereachedit,ithaddissipated into nothing and a trio of howling wights was turning to surround him with slashingbronzeaxes.

Felix andKat tried to fight to him,but they couldmakenoheadway.Nor could anyof theothers.Indeed theywerebeingdrivenbackonall sides.VonVolgenwasfightingone-handednow,his lefthandmangled andmissing fingers, and the young handgunner and spearman fought back to backabovethebutcheredbodyoftheartilleryman.Besidethem,awightdashedSergeantClassen'sbrainsout,andhisbodycrashedintoBosendorferandSergeantLeffler.Bosendorferstumbledattheimpactanddroppedhisguard,andthewight'sverdigrisedaxebitdeepintohisguts.

Withacryofrageandgrief,Lefflercrushedthewight'sskull,thendraggedBosendorferbackoutoftheway.

FelixandKatsurgedforwardstoguardtheirretreatandendedupbesidevonVolgen,whowasfallingbackbeforetwootherwights.

"Doyouhearit?"heasked,bloodsprayingfromhislips."Thereisfightingattheinnergate.Wemustgo.Wemustdefendit."

Overtheclashandclangaroundhim,Felixdidhearit--afaintroaringandclashingfromoutside.Helaughedbleakly,andwasgoingtomakearemarkaboutnotbeingabletodefendthemselves,butthewordsdiedas, inasinglestroke,awightcutdowntheyoungspearmanandhandgunner,choppingthembothnearly in two,andKathad to twist aside toavoidbeingbutchered too.Felixcursedandshovedforwardstoprotecther,drivingitbackinaflurryofstrokes,butasitsteppedback,Gotreksuddenlyflewbackandcrusheditflatashecrashedtothefloor,abloodygashacrosshischest.

Thethreewightsstrodeafterhim,raisingtheiraxes,andhescrambledupagainandleaptatthemasfiercelyasever,buthisbreathwaswhistlinglikeabellowswithaholeinit,andhiscrimsonfacewasrunningwithsweat.

ThiswastheSlayer'sdoom,thoughtFelix,aswightsslashedatthemfromeverydirectionandangerbegantoboilinhisguts.Whatamisery!Itmightbebetterthan176

dying frompoisoned slivers,butnotbymuch. Insteadof thedoomhe shouldhavehad, insteadofdyingagranddeathatthehandsofKrelltheHoldbreaker,theLordoftheUndead--atrulyfittingendtoanepiclife--theSlayerwasgoingtobeoverwhelmedbynamelesswightsinapointlessskirmish,asthefinalbattleforthegatesofCastleReikguardhappenedoffstage.Itdidn'tseemright.TheonlyconsolationFelixcouldfindwas thatwhen theSlayerdied,hewoulddie too,andwouldn'thave towritesuchananticlimacticfinale.

AdeafeningbangpunchedFelix's ears, and the skullof thewightheandKat foughtexploded inasprayofboneshards.Anotherbang,andaholeappeared in thebreastplateofone thatwasdrivingbackvonVolgen.

"At 'em, lads!" cried a voice frombehind. "They're betweenus and the tunnel!"AsFelix stumbledbackfromthecollapsingwight,Draeger'smenfloodedpasthim,hackingattheancientwarriorsinafrenzyandcuttingtheirwaytoGotrek.

Katblinkedaroundinwonder."They'refighting."

"Evenaratwillfightwhencornered,"gruntedvonVolgen.

Draeger strode past them, sword in one hand, smoking pistol in the other. His pockets wereoverflowingwithnecklaces,andhehadajewelledswordstrappedaroundhiswaist."That'stheway,lads!Through themandwe're free!"Felix,Kat, vonVolgen andSergeantLeffler lurched after themilitiamenandjoinedtheirline.Withescapesocloseathand,themenfoughtwithawillFelixhadnotseeninthembefore.Evenso,theywerelettingGotrekdomostofthework,buttheSlayerdidn'tseem to mind. With his flanks protected, he chopped through the wights like a vandal smashingstatues, shearing through ancient breastplates and shattering bones in clouds of dust and bronzeshrapnelashedrovethemontothelanding.Hekickedonebackthroughthestair-railtosmashonthefloorbelow.Ahalf-dozenmorefollowedasthemilitiamencrowdedinaroundthem,andfinallytherewerenoneleft,andGotrekstoodatthebrokenrail,pantingandhawkingnoisily.

"Down!"saidvonVolgen,limpingforthestairandbeckoningtheotherstofollow."Wecannotrestyet.Therearemoreattheinnergate!"Butthemilitiamenstoppedwheretheywere,andDraeger,whohadn'tdonemuchduringthefightotherthanwavehisswordabout,didsoagainnow.

"Well done, lads!" he cried. "Now up and away! Karl Franz's bolt hole awaits!" The militiamencheeredandturnedtoscrambleupthestairsasvonVolgenturnedtowardsDraeger,furious.

"Youmaynotleave!"hebarked."Youareneededatthegate!Wemayyetholdout!"

Draegerbackedaway,smirking."Sorry,m'lord.AsIsaidallalong,thisain'tourposting.Bestoflucktoyer."

Andwiththat,heturnedandranafterhismen.VonVolgencursedandstaggeredafterhim,buthewastoowindedandhurttocatchhim.

"Forgetthem,"Gotrekgruntedashegulpedingreedyswallowsofair."Youdon'tneedcowards.Let'sgo."

Felix mopped his brow and turned to the stairs with the others, but a weak voice stopped them."Sergeant,Jaeger."

177

Bosendorferwas raisinghimselfupononeelbow.Felixwincedashe turned to see theman'sgutsspilling through a hole in his breastplate.He crossed to himwithLeffler and knelt beside him. "Iwasn'tleavingyou,captain,"saidthesergeant.

Bosendorferwavedhimsilent."Youmust.IgotoSigmar'shalls,tobegforgivenessofthemenIsentthere."HeturnedfeveredeyesonFelixandgrippedhisarm.

"Jaeger. You led my men better than I. If--" He stopped as bloody coughing racked him, thencontinued."Iftheywillhaveyou,leadthemnow."Felixswallowed,notknowingwhattosay.Itwasn'tadutyhewanted,buthecouldn'tdenyadyingman."Iftheywillhaveme,captain,"hesaid.

Bosendorfer nodded, seemingly content, then lay back, clutching his chestwith a gauntleted hand."Sigmar,thathurts."

Itwasthelastthingheeversaid.Withamechanicalrattle,hislastbreathescapedhimandhisarmsslumpedtohissides.

FelixandKatbowedtheirheadsasSergeantLefflercoveredhisface.

"MaySigmarwelcomeyou,greatsword,"whisperedKat,closinghiseyes."MayMorrkeepyoufromKemmler'sclutches."

VonVolgencoughedfromthestairs."Come.Therewillbetimelatertogrieve,"hesaid,"ifwelive."

AllwasdarknessandclamourasGotrek,Felix,Kat,vonVolgenandSergeantLefflerranoutintothekeep'scourtyard.Thescreamsandclashingsofbattle filled thenight, and the sicklygreen lightofMorrslieb,glowingthroughthecloudslikewarpstoneatthebottomofapailofsouredmilk,glintedonthethrashingofarmouredlimbsandthewetredofbloodyweapons.

The four humans and the Slayer hurried towards the action along a trail of butchered bodies--spearmen,knights,ghoulsandwights--thatledacrossthecourtyardtotheinnergatehouse,wherethelast of von Volgen's men and the few remaining household knights guarded the doors of thegatehousefromasurgingringofghouls,zombiesandtoweringbronze-armouredwightsthathackedandclawedatthemwithtirelesssavagery.

Totheleftofthegatehouse,ahandfulofgreatswordswereholdingtheparapetstairsagainstastreamof corpses that poured down them, while on the walls above, a weary crew of spearmen andhandgunnersranbackandforthalongthebattlements,tryingtodrivebackandtoppletheladdersofthezombiesandghoulsthatwereclimbingoveratadozenpoints.

But though thesewere all desperatebattles, itwas the fight that ragedon the topof thegatehouse,

silhouettedagainstthemoon-brightclouds,thatmadeFelix'sgutssinkandGotrekgruntwithanger.SnorriNosebiter,hisbooming laughechoing loudacross thecourtyard,wasgoing toe to toewithKrell,theLordoftheUndead.

"Curseyou,Nosebiter,"growledGotrek,andveeredforthestairsatarun.

Felixwasabouttofollow,butthenrememberedthegreatswords.HeturnedtoLeffler.

"Sergeant,"hesaid."Forgiveme. Icannot leadyou. Iamoathboundto theSlayer,andmust followhim.Youaretheirleadernow."Beforethesergeantcouldanswer,however,vonVolgenturnedtobothofthem.

178

"Takethegreatswordswithyou,HerrJaeger,"hesaid."Iandtheknightscanholdthedoors,Ithink,butnotifthedeadkeeppouringinfromabove.Holdthematthebattlementsuntilwecanfinishthewights,andwejustmayhaveachance."

"Yes,mylord,"saidFelix.

But as he ran afterGotrekwithKat and the sergeant, and vonVolgen ran towards the gate, Felixwonderediftheydidhaveachance.Themenwerewearyandstarvinganddesperatelyoutnumbered,andeveniftheycouldstopthewightsandholdthedoorsclosed,Kemmlerwasalreadysomewhereinside.Whathopehadtheyagainsthim?Thenecromancerhadtakenthegrafandthegrafinandsaidtheyhadworktodo.Whatwouldbethefruitofthatlabour?Felixshiveredwithanticipatorydread.

"Makeahole,lads!"criedLefflerasGotrekracedupbehindthegreatswordswhoheldthebaseofthestairs.

"LettheSlayerthrough!"

Thegreatswordsglancedback,thenpartedasGotrekshovedtotheirfrontlineandslammedintotheclotofundeadatthebottomofthestairs.

From Felix's vantage, it looked like an orange-crested bomb had hit them.A shockwave of forcerippedthroughthem,knockingdownzombiesandghoulsfurtherupthesteps,andlimbsandheadsandtrailingvisceraflewinalldirections.

"FollowtheSlayer!"shoutedFelix."Tothewalls!"

Thegreatswordsglancedaroundfromtheirfights,wary,asheandKatpushedthroughafterGotrek.

"Where'sthecaptain?"askedone.

"I'llnotgoagainsthimagain,"saidanother.

"Thecaptainfelltothewights,"calledLeffler."HetoldHerrJaegertoleadus."

"I'llnotorderyou,"saidFelix,lookingbackatthem."Ihaven'tearnedthat.ButI'dhaveyouwithmeif

you'llcome."

AndwiththatheturnedwithKatandhurriedafterGotrek,notlookingbacktoseeiftheyfollowed.

"Tothewalls!"roaredSergeantLeffler,andtoFelix'ssurprise,thecrywasechoedtenfold.

"Tothewalls!"

Gotrekwashalfwayupthestairs,corpsesandfiendstopplingbeforehiminarainofbutcheredfleshandbodyparts.Felix andKat fell inbehindhim, severing theheadsof those thatGotrekhadonlywounded,andFelixstoleaglancetothewall.

KrellwasdrivingSnorribacktowardstheriversideofthecastle,knockinghimaroundlikeabearslappingatapitdog.Theoldslayergotupandchargedbackineverytime,butKrell justknockedhimdownagainandtookanotherstepforwards.

FelixtriedtoseeifSnorrihadtakenacutfromKrell'saxe,buthewascoveredincutsfromheadtotoe,andtherewasnowaytotellwhathadmadewhich."Manling,"coughedGotrek,astheyfoughton."YouwilltakeSnorriNosebitertotheescapetunnel."

"Aye,Gotrek,"saidFelix,thenlookedunhappilyaroundatthebattle."But--"

"Thecastlewillfall,"saidGotrek."Nomatterhowhardwefight.Fulfillyourvow.BringNosebitertoKarakKadrin."

"Aye,Gotrek."

179

TheSlayersmashedabeast-corpsefromthetopstepandhe,FelixandKatsurgedontotheparapetasthe thing toppled to the courtyardbelow.Thegreatswords followedbehind as they started towardsSnorri'sfight,andtheyallmovedalongthewalllikesomecentipedalkillingmachine--Gotrek,FelixandKatatthefront,carvingapaththroughthedeadthatwereclimbingoverthebattlements,andthegreatswordsatthesides,theirtwo-handedbladesscythingdownanythingtheymissed.

Agreatcheerwentupfromthebeleagueredspearmenandhandgunners,andtheytookadvantageofthegreatswords'cleansweeptostaveoffandknockdownadozenladderswhilethewallswereclear.ButasFelixlookedback,hesawthatwithoutreinforcements,thereprievewouldonlybetemporary.Alreadynewladderswereslappingupagainstthewallandnewzombiesclimbingthem.

Felixturnedtothegreatswords."Leaveme,"hesaid.

"Spreadoutonthewalls.Holdbackthezombies."

Thegreatswordslookedunhappyatthis,andstayedinformation."Damnyou!"Felixshouted."NowIamorderingyou!

"TheSlayerneedsnohelp!Defendthewalls!"

"Youheardhim!" roaredLeffler. "Face left!Spreadout!Drive thebastardsback!"Andas themenslowedandturned,hegaveFelixasmileandasharpsalute.

"On yer way, captain. They'll do you proud, I promise." Felix nodded, embarrassed. "Thank you,sergeant,"hesaid,andalmostadded

"goodbye",butdecided thatwas toopessimistic. "Sigmarwatchoveryou."He turnedand ranafterGotrekandKat,whowerechargingtowardsthetowerabovetheriverwhereKrellhaddrivenSnorri.

"Backoff,Nosebiter!He'smine!" roaredGotrek asSnorri pickedhimself up and flunghimself atKrellagain."Turn,butcher!It'smeyouwanttofight!"KrellturnedasGotrekleapt,andtheSlayer'saxe--itsruneblazing--slicedthroughhisbreastplate,openingaraggedholethatshowedbonebeneath.Krellbellowedandfellback,swipinghisaxeinwilddesperation.Gotrekduckedtheswingandcameinagain,choppingattheundeadchampion'slegsandforcinghimback.

Snorriwhooped and charged in too, swinging hiswarhammer in a blurring arc, butGotrek stiff-armedtheoldslayerandsenthimstumblingback.

"Enough,Nosebiter,"growledGotrek."Yourpilgrimagestartsnow."HeshovedSnorritowardsFelixandKat."Gethimout.Go."

"Aye,Gotrek,"saidFelix,shockedatthesuddennessofit."ThenIguessthisisgood--"

ButtheSlayerwasalreadychargingKrellagain,hisruneaxeraisedoverhishead.Thewightkingroaredintomeethim,andsparksandgritflewastheiraxesstruckandcounter-struckinahurricaneofrune-glowandobsidian.

Felix put a hand on Snorri's shoulder. "Come, Snorri," he said. "We'd better go." The old slayerpolitely removedFelix'shandwithout lookingawayfromthe fight. "No thankyou,youngFelix. IfGotrekGurnissonmeetshisdoom,Snorrimustavengeit."

Felixclenchedhisjaw."ButGotrekdoesn'twantthat,Snorri.HewantsyoutogotoKarakKadrin."

180

"Snorriknows,"saidSnorri."Hewillgoafterthis."Felixgroanedandglanceddowntothecourtyard,thenbackalongthewall--thewaytheywouldhavetogotoget to theescape tunnel.Hisgutsfilledwithice.VonVolgen'sstrategywasfailing.

Thereweren'tenoughdefenderslefttomakeitwork.Atthegate,vonVolgenandthelastfewknightsfoughtwiththeirbackstothedoors,thewightsandghoulsandzombieseightdeeparoundthem.Onthebattlements,thegreatswordsandthespearmenandthehandgunnerswerebeingoverwhelmedasmoreandmoreladdersroseandmoreandmorezombiesandghoulscrawledoverthecrenellationstosurroundthem.IfFelixdidn'tgetSnorriawaysoon,therewouldbenoleaving.

"Snorri,"saidKat,touchinghisarm."Please.AreyouwillingtogiveupgoingtoGrimnir'shallstoavengeGotrek?Doyouwanttowanderforeverintheafterlife?"SnorricontinuedtowatchasGotrekandKrellbatteredeachother,buthis jawset,andhis facegrewharder thanFelixhadeverseen it."GotrekGurnissonismyfriend."

Kat bit her lip, and a lump formed in Felix's throat.Both the slayerswerewilling to die for eachother--morethandie!TosaveSnorri'safterlife,GotrekwaspreparedtodismissFelixandallowhisdoom to go unremembered, and to avenge Gotrek's death, Snorri was prepared to give up hisafterlife.Whowoulddareinterferewithabondasstrongasthat?Andyet,avowwasavow,soFelixmust.

Hewondered if he should try to knockSnorri unconscious and drag him away, thewayRodi haddoneatthebattleofTarnhalt'sCrown,buthefeareditwouldn'twork.Ifaslayercouldn'thitSnorrihardenoughtokeephimunder,Felixdoubtedhecoulddoit.

Ablood-chilling shriekofvictorybroughtFelix's attentionback to the courtyard, andhegroaned.The lastof theknightswerefallingunder thecrushof theundead,and theghoulsandwightswerepouringthroughthesmashed-indoorsofthegatehouse.FelixsawvonVolgenhackofftheskullofanarmouredancientbeforebeinggoredandtrampledbyabeast-corpsewiththehornsofabull.

Asecond later, therewasa ratchetingclatterand theheavydoorsof the innergatebegan to swingponderouslyopen,lettinginaspreadingmassofshamblingundead.

Theinnercourtwasbreached.CastleReikguardhadtrulyfallen.

Helookedbacktothewalls.Thedefendersweredyingtheretoo,thespearmenandhandgunnersandgreatswordsdisappearingbeneathatideofzombiesandghoulsthatpouredoverthewalls.SergeantLefflerwas the laststillonhis feet, reelingandwhirlinghis two-handedbladearoundhisgrizzledhead,butasFelixwatched,aghoulleaptonhisbackandborehimdown,andtherestfelluponhimlikeswarmingrats.Hehadheldtotheend.

ThelumpinFelix'sthroatbecameabrick.

"Well,"saidKat,edgingbackasthezombiesbeganstaggeringtheirwayandtheghoulsstartedlopingoutaheadofthem."There'snoleavingnow."Felixwentonguard."Soitseems."

Astheghoulsboundedforwards,Gotrekbellowedwithragebehindthem,andFelixandKatglancedaround.While they had beenwatchingCastleReikguard fall,Krell had got the upper hand on theSlayer,andwasbashinghimbacktowardsthebattlementsinastormofstrikes.

181

Snorri growled in his throat as hewatchedGotrek stumble andweave, andhis hands clenchedhishammerconvulsively."Behindyou,Snorri,"saidFelix."Turnaround!"Snorriwhippedaround,stillgrowling,buthiseyeswentwideashesawtheswiftlyoncomingghouls."Snorri's!"heroared.

FelixandKatchargedinbehindtheoldslayerasheslammedintotheleapingfiends,andforabriefmoment, they made a good account of themselves. Kat's hatchets severed fingers and shatteredkneecaps,whileFelix'sswordloppedheadsandseveredarms,andtheheavyheadofSnorri'shammerwaseverywhereatonce,crackingskulls,breaking legsandcrushingchests inawhistlingblur,buttherewerejusttoomanyfacingthem,andtheweightofthezombieslumberingeverforwardsattheback of the ghouls drove them back, foot by grudging foot, until they found themselves fighting

shouldertoshoulderwithGotrekasKrellpressedhimfromtheotherside.

Felixlaughedbitterlyastheirenemiesclosedinaroundthem.WhenGotrekhadfreedhimfromhisoathtowitnesshisdoom,andtoldhimthatallhehadtodowasgetSnorritoKarakKadrinandhisvowwouldbefulfilled,Felixhadthoughthewasgettingoffeasy.He'dhadwilddreamsoffreedom,offuture,ofalifeofpeaceatKat'sside.Well,thosedreamsweredeadnow.Indeed,allofthemwouldlosewhattheymostwantedhere.Snorriwoulddiewithoutmemoryorpeace,Katwoulddiefarfromtheforeststhatsheloved,Felixwoulddiewithouthavinghadachanceatanormallifeand,withhisdeath,Gotrek'ssagawouldneverbewritten.TheSlayerwoulddieunheraldedandforgotten.

FelixsawGotrekglancebackatSnorriastheycrowdedtogether.TheSlayerdidn'tlookgood,andhesoundedworse.Hewascutinascoreofplaces,hisoneeyewasnearlyswollenshutandhisbreathingsoundedliketwobricksbeingrubbedtogether.Krellaimedacutathishead,andheblockeditlikehewasbeingheldupbyadrunkenpuppetmaster.

AroarturnedFelixbackaround.Ahugebeast-corpsewascrashingthroughthecrowdofghoulsforSnorri,swingingaclubthesizeofaman.Theoldslayereasilyduckedtheswipeandswungupsharpwithhiswarhammer,buryingtheheaddeepwithinitsprodigiousgut,butthoughhekilledit,thebeastfelledhimtoo,forwithagushofgelatinousblackentrails,ittoppledforwards,smashingSnorritotheparapetastheghoulsshrilledandsurgedaroundhim.

KatandFelixhackeddesperatelytokeepthemback,butwithoutSnorri'ssteadfasthammer,thefiendsswiftlydrovethemback.Felixtookacutonthearm,andKatkickedtoshakegraspingclawsfromherlegasmoreghoulsclamberedtowardsthemoverthedeadbeast.Butthenitshook,staggeringtheghouls,andfloppedtotheside.

Snorri roared up from beneath it, covered in guts and slime and swinging his hammer--andwentdownagainimmediately,hispeglegsnappedoffatthestump.

Theghoulspouncedashefell,pilingonandweighingdownhisarmssothathecouldn'tswinghishammerasmoreclawedforhisneckandeyes.

FelixandKatcriedoutandfoughtforwardstoprotectthefallenslayer,butFelixknewtheywouldn'tlast long.AlreadyonehadKatby thehair,andanotherwas throwing itselfonFelix'sswordso theotherscoulddraghimdown.

182

Thensomethingredandbloodyandblowinglikeablastfurnaceshovedpastthemandsmashedbackthe clutching horde. It wasGotrek, breath ragged and blazing rune axe slicing through ghouls ineverydirection.

Theghoulsfellback,shrieking,andGotrekhauledSnorriuptohisoneleg.TheoldslayergrinnedthroughacrimsonriverthatwaspouringfromhisscalpasFelixandKatfellinbesidethemandKrellroaredinfromtheleft.

"Wellmet,GotrekGurnisson,"saidSnorri,spittingblood."Snorrithinkswehavefoundourdoomsatlast,eh?"

"No,"gaspedGotrek, leveringhimself uponto thebattlements andpullingSnorri after him. "We...havenot."

Andwiththat,heshovedSnorrioffthewall.

FelixandKatstaredastheoldslayerdroppedoutofsighttowardstheriver,flailingandhowlinginsurprise.

"Gotrek!"criedFelix."You--"

GotrekduckedKrell'saxe,andpulledFelixuptoo.

"After...him...manling,"hewheezed,pushingFelixtowardsthedrop."Littleone...too."

Krell'saxesweptagaintowardsGotrek'shead,trailingitsblackcloudofgrit.

Gotrekblockedwiththeruneaxe,buttheblowwassopowerfulitdrovethehaftofitbackintotheSlayer'scheekandsmashedhimintoFelix.

For one brief, sickening moment, the two of them tottered on the very edge of the battlements,scrabblingatthestones,thengravitywonout,andtheytooplungedfromthewall.

Felixgapedasthesceneontheparapetrecededandthewallshotupbesidehim.

Katappearedonthebattlement,screaminghisnameandbracingtojump,butKrellswunghisaxeatherandshefellbackoutofsight.

"Kat!"Felixscreamed.

Theriverhithiminthebacklikeagiant'sclubandheplungedintoitsdepths,thecoldwavesclosingoverhimandblockingouteverythingthatmeantanythingtohiminthewholeworld.

183

TWENTY-ONE

After an eternity of sinking blackness, Felix's feet touched bottom and he kicked up as hard as hecould, fighting theweightofhis chainmail and the rushingwater and the ringingnumbnessofhisbody.Hebrokethewavesforjustasecondandcaughtaraggedbreath,thenwentdownagain,butthistimehetouchedbottomalmostinstantly,thoughhewasdraggedalongitbythecurrent,andcouldn'tstand.

Hekickedupagain,flailingandstrainingtofindthetopofthecastlewallsagainstthenightsky.WasKatalive?HadKrellkilledher?Hadshejumped?Hecouldn'tseeanything!Alreadyhewasfardowntheriver,andthecastlewasrecedingfast.

"Kat!"heshouted."Kat!Jump!"

Nothing.

"Kat!"

His chainmail pulled himdownagain, and the current draggedhimon.He sheathedKaraghul andflounderedforthebank,butjustashegothisfeetunderhim,hesawmovingfiguresonit,lurchingandturningtowardshissplashes.Thefieldswerestillcrawlingwithzombies.

Hesankbackandlookedaround,searchingthemoon-rimmedwaves.

"Gotrek?Areyouthere?"hewhispered."Wehavetogoback!Katisstillinthecastle!"

Therewasnoresponse.WherewastheSlayer?Hadhealreadygoneback?

"Gotrek?"

Apale shapebobbednear him.Heblinkedwater fromhis eyes and saw itwas theSlayer's broad,muscledback,bloodwellingfromascoreofwounds.Hewasfacedownintheriver,unmoving.

"Gotrek!"

Felix splashed to him and tried to lift his head out of thewater, but theywere still being draggedsidewaysby the current andhe couldn't get leverage.He cursed and tried again, catchingGotrek'sheavywristandpushing for theshore.Somethingsharpbumpedhiskneeashekicked,andhe feltunderthewater.ItwasGotrek'saxe.

TheSlayerstillclutcheditinanirongrip.

"Isthatyou,youngFelix?"cameavoicefromnearby.

"Snorri!"Felixcried,staringaround."Snorri,comehere!"Adarkshapewithnailsstickingfromitsheadsloshedupoutofthewavesbesidehim.

"SnorrithinksGotrekGurnissonshouldn'thavepushedhimlikethat,"saidSnorri."Thatwasagoodfight."

"Snorri,helpme.Gotrekisdrowning."

184

Snorrisnorted."GotrekGurnissoncan'tdrown.Snorrihasseenhimswimmanytimes."

Nonetheless,theoldslayercaughtGotrek'sshouldersandrolledhimoverinthewatersothathewasfaceup.Gotrek'sheadhungtotheside,andatrickleofwaterflowedfromhismouth.Felixcouldn'thearhimbreathing.

Felix's heart lurched at the sight, then he looked back towards the dark silhouette of the castle,dwindlingfurtherintothedistancewitheverypassingsecond.Whatdidhedo?HehadtogobackforKat,buthecouldn'tleaveGotrek.Orcouldhe?HecouldleavehimwithSnorriandheadbackalone,buthowwashe to storm thewallsand fightKemmlerandKrell and thewightsbyhimself? Itwasimpossible.He'dbetornapartbythezombiesbeforeheevenreachedthecastle.Asshamefulasitwas

toadmitit,FelixneededtheSlayer'shelp.

"Wakeup,Gurnisson,"saidSnorri."Snorriwantstogobackandfinishthatfight."

"Gotrek'shurt,Snorri,"saidFelix."Andyou'velostyourpegleg."

"Oh,"saidSnorri."Snorriforgot."

"We'llgobackassoonasGotrekwakesup,"saidFelix,staringtowardsthedisappearingcastle."Wehaveto."

Amileorsodowntheriver,theycameuponasmallvillage,sodarkFelixwouldnothavenoticeditbutforthelittledockstickingoutintotheriverthathebangedhisheadon.Nolightburnedamongthelow cottages, nor did Felix hear any sounds of movement. He feared that they had not travelledbeyondKemmler'ssphereof influence,andthat theplacemightbepopulatedwithzombies,but thecold of the river had penetrated all the way to his heart now, and his teeth were chatteringuncontrollably.Hecouldwaitnolonger.

"H-h-here,Snorri,"hewhispered."Helpmepullhimontothebeach."

"Aye,youngFelix,"saidSnorri.

Together theydraggedGotrek out of thewater onto a narrow strip ofmud.Thiswas not easy, asSnorrihadtodothewholethingonhisknees,butfinallytheymanageditandrolledGotrekonhisside.Morewaterspilledfromhismouth,butFelixstillcouldnottellifhewasbreathing.HeputaneartotheSlayer'schestandhearditatlast,afaint,threadywhisper.Therewasaheartbeattoo,butitwassoftanduneven,likewavessluicingoverabrokenwall.Felixswallowed,hardlyrelieved.

HeslappedtheSlayer'scheekandwhisperedinhisear.

"Gotrek,wakeup!"

Therewasnoresponse.Snorrifrowned,concerned."LetSnorritry,"hesaid,thenslappedtheSlayersoharditsoundedlikeapistolshot.

Felixcringedandglancedaround,afraidthenoisemightattractattention,thenturnedbacktoSnorri.

"I-I don't think that's goingwork, Snorri.Gotrek is... sick or-or, I don't know."He shivered as thenight wind nosed through his wet clothes, then looked towards the town. "We have to get himsomeplacewarmanddry.Canyou..."Hepaused and looked atSnorri's stump. "No,of courseyoucan't.I'llgolookforacart."185

"Snorridoesn'tneedacart,"saidSnorri,andpushedunsteadilyupontohisoneleg,thentuckedtheheadofhiswarhammerunderhisarm.

TheoldslayergrabbedGotrek'swrist,thenpulled.Felixstoodandhelpedand,withalotofgruntingandcursing,theygotGotrekontohisfeet,thenSnorribentandputhisshoulderagainstGotrek'sbeltbuckleandheavedhimontohisshoulder.

Felix cursed as Snorri swayed alarmingly underGotrek'sweight, but then the old slayer steadied,bracingwiththehammer-crutchasGotrek'sheadandarmshunglimpdownhisback,drippingwater.Felixnoticedthat,eventhoughheappearedcompletelyunconscious,Gotrekstillhadadeath-griponhisruneaxe,whichdraggedontheground.

"Leadon,youngFelix,"saidSnorri,turningtowardsthevillage."Snorrihopestheyhavebeer."

Felixdoubted it.Therewere linesandgrooveson themuddybeach thatshowedwheresmallboatshadbeen,buttheyweregonenow,andhehadthefeelingthepeopleofthevillagewouldbegonetoo.

HedrewKaraghulandtheystartedforwardsintothemiddleofthedarkhuddleofcottages,Felixasquiet as a thief, and Snorri as quiet as an ogre fist-fight, stumping and thudding and hitching andgruntingwitheverystep.Iftherewasanythinghidingthere,itwouldcertainlyhearthemcoming,butperhapsitwouldbefrightenedaway.

Felixcouldn'tseeanydamagetothevillage,noranybodiesontheground,butatthesametime,theplacedidn'tlookorsoundoccupied.Inanormalvillage,hewouldhaveheardthecluckingofhensintheirroostsandtheshiftingoflivestockintheirpens.Therewouldhavebeencartsandbarrowsatthebacks of the cottages, and the dull red of banked hearths showing through the shutteredwindows.Therewasnoneof thathere.Thecartsweregone, thewindowsweredark,and itwasasquietasagraveyard.

Totheleftacottagedoorwashangingopen,theinteriorasdarkasacave.Thetinytavernacrosstheway,however,wasboardeduptight,heavyplanksnailedacrossthefrontdoorandallthewindows.

Felixstoppedjustoutsidetheopencottage,peeringuneasilyintothedarknessuntilhiseyesadjusted,thenwentin.Itwasempty.HebeckonedtoSnorri.

"Layhimbythehearth,"hesaid."I'llmakeafire."SnorrihobbledinasFelixdriedoffhisflintandsteelandfoundsometinder.

"SnorrithinksGurnissonhasgainedsomeweight,"saidSnorriashesettledGotrektothedirtfloorinfrontofthefireplace,thenpeeledhisstifffingersoffhisruneaxeandleaneditbesidethehearth.

Afterafewdampstrikes,Felixfinallyknockedasparkfromtheflintanditkindledthetinder,thenfoundastackofchoppedwoodtoonesideofthehearth,andbuiltituparoundthetinyflame.

Afewminuteslater,oncethefirewasgoingnicely,hewentandshutthedoortohidethelight,thenlookedaround.Theshackwasalotlikethevillageasawhole--

undamaged,unoccupiedandstripped.Thefewcupboardsalong thewallswereemptyofplatesandcups.Thecrudetablewasbare,andthebedstrippedoflinenandblankets.ThepeoplemusthavefledwhenKemmler'shordesarrived.Thequestionwas,hadthenecromancer'sunnaturalblightspreadthisfar?Wasthefoodrottenandthewaterpoisonous?

186

Felix crossed to a row of jars, his stomach suddenly howling. He tore off their lids, hoping foranything--flour,lard,honey.Thereweredriedtracesofsomethinginthelastone.Hescrapedatthem

withafinger,thenstuckitinhismouth.Mustard,ascrumblyaschalk.

Still,ittastedlikemustard,withnomildewsmellorsourreekofrot.Infact,tohisstarvedtongue,ittastedbetterthangrilledbeef.Sigmar,hewashungry!

HeturnedtoSnorri,whowaswringingouthisbeardbythefire."Snorri,seeifyoucangetintothetavern.Look for foodanddrink."Snorrigrinned. "That is thebest ideayou'vehad ina long time,youngFelix."Hegavehisbeardafinaltwist,thenstartedoutthefrontdoorasFelixwentouttheback.Thegardenwaslittlemorethanabare-earthdogrun,buttherewasatinyvegetableplotatthebackandthewoodenhatchofacoldcellarnexttoachickencoop.Felixstumbledtothecoopandthrewopen the door. Empty. He fumbled through the stinking straw at the bottom.Not even an egg. Hepulledup thehatchof thecoldcellarand looked in, thengaveagladcry--twosmallcarrotsandaheadofcabbagethathadseenbetterdays.

Hepulledthemoutandstuffedoneofthecarrotsinhismouthimmediately.Itwasdryandrubberyandcoveredindirt,butstillgood--notrottedthroughlikeallthefoodinCastleReikguardhadbeen.Hecheweditnoisilyashecrossedtothevegetablepatch,andmoanedasthejuicesrandownthebackofhisthroat.Inothertimeshewouldlikelyhavethrownthethingasideasnotfitforpigfodder,butthesewerenotothertimes.Thiswasthebestcarrotnaturehadevergrown!

Thevegetablepatchwasadisappointment. Itwasbarelyspring,andnothinghadsproutedyet.Still,the carrot and the cabbagewere better than nothing, and the rest of the cottageswould have coldcellarstoo.

Heheardasplinteringcrashfromthestreetandcrouched,onguard,thenrealiseditwasonlySnorribreakingintothetavern.HewentbackinsideandsatdownbythefirenexttoGotrek,thenbegantostuffthecabbageleavesinhismouth,groaningwithhappiness.Heeyedtheothercarrotlustfully,butputitaside.Hecouldn'tbegreedy.Snorriwouldbehungrytoo.AndGotrekaswell.

"Gotrek," he said, shaking the Slayer's shoulder. "There's food." The Slayer didn't move. He laysprawledwhereSnorrihadlaidhim,eyeclosed.

Felixstaredathimuneasily,certainnowthatGotrek'sunconsciousnesshadnoexternalcause.Ithadn'tbeenthefight,orthefallorthewater.Whatwascausingthishadbeeninhimfordays--thepoisonedblacksliversfromtheaxeofKrell.

Thedoorof the cottage slammedopen andSnorri limped inonhis hammer-crutch, a kegononeshoulderandamouldysausageonastringdanglingfromhismouth.Hespititout,lettingitfalltothedirt,andbeamed.

"Beer,youngFelix!Beer!"

Felixwasmoreinterestedinthesausage,mouldyasitwas,buthestoodandhelpedSnorrilowerthekeggentlytotheground,thenwentandcollectedtwooftheemptyjarsfromthesideboard.

Snorri knocked in the top of the keg with his hammer, then took one of the jars from Felix andplungeditin.

187

"Careful,Snorri,"saidFelixastheoldslayermadetodownthejarinonego."Itmightbespoiledlikethestuffinthecastle."

Snorripaused,thentookacautioussipasFelixwatched.Abroadsmilespreadacrosshisuglyface."No,youngFelix,"hesaid."It'sfine--forhumanbeerat least."Andwiththat,hetippedthejarbackanddrank it off, almost, it seemed,without swallowing.Felix dippedhis own jar into the keg andfilleditup.Heinhaledashebroughtit tohisface,andtheyeastysmellofthehopsalmostbroughttearstohiseyes.Heputittohislips.Felixdidn'tknowwhatSnorriwastalkingabout.Itwasthebestbeereverbrewed,betterbyfarthanthebestcarrotevergrown.

Hedrankafewdeliciousswallows,thenloweredthejarandletoutasatisfiedsigh.Afterstarvingforsolong,hewouldbedrunkinsecondsfromthebeer,buthedidn'tcare.Ittastedtoogood.

A thought came to him and he looked at Gotrek. The Slayer had not been tempted fromunconsciousness by a cabbage. Then again, whowould be? But beer had been known to performmiracles of resuscitation upon dwarfs. Hadn't Felix seen Snorri sit up out of the depths of aconcussionatthemerementionoftheword?

FelixkneltbesideGotrekandraisedthejar.Snorrisawwhathewasdoingandjoinedhim,holdingupGotrek'sheadasFelixtippedthejarandletadribbleofbeerspillbetweenhisslacklips.

Theywaited.

Nothing.

FelixpouredmorebeerintoGotrek'smouth.Itspilledoutagainandsankintohisbeard.

Snorri's face,whichuntil thatmomenthadstillworn theremnantsof thesmile thebeerhadplacedupon it, fell with worry. "Snorri has never seen Gotrek Gurnisson spit out beer before," he saidquietly."Snorri thinkssomethingmaybewrong."Felixnoddedandsatdownwithathump."Snorriisn'ttheonlyone."TherehadbeentimesinFelix'slifewhenhehadthoughtthattherewasnothingthatcould make a man more miserable than fighting for his life. At other times he had felt that themomentsbeforebattle,whendreadandanticipationfilledaman'sgutswithcoldfear,weretheworst,andatstillothertimeshehadbelievedthatnothingcouldmakeamanmoremiserablethanregret,butnowheknewthatnoneofthosemiseriescouldevencomeclosetothefeelingofpowerlessnessthatcamewhenamanknewhisfriendsweredyingandindangerandtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.

Withastomachfullofnotverymuchsausage,butquitealotofbeer,hehadmanagedatlasttofallasleepneardawn,butitwasnotaneasysleep.ItwasfullofdreamsofrunningforCastleReikguardtosaveKat,butnevergettingtherenomatterhowfastheran,andotherdreamsofGotrekgettingupoutofhissickbed,butnotbeingGotrek--notbeingaliveatall--andturningonhimwithdeadeyeandaxeglowinggreen.Insomedreams,hereachedCastleReikguardat last, thenranthroughitshalls,chambersandcellars,callingKat'sname,butneverfindingher.Inotherversions,hedidfindher,butshewasshufflingwiththeotherundead,pointingstiff,greyfingersathimandwhispering,"Youdidthis.Youleftmebehind."188

Sometimeshefledfromher,ashamed.Othertimes,herantoher,beggingherforgiveness.

"Iwillforgiveyou,"shesaidinahollow,farawayvoice."Butyoumustletmefeed."

In thedepthsofhisguilt,Felix agreed, andofferedherhis arm,which sheaccepted, andbegan tognawonwithneedle-sharp teeth, andhot, foetidbreath.Thepainwasexcruciating,but itwasonlywhathedeserved.

"Wakeup,youngFelix,"saidSnorri."Snorrithinksyou'rehavingabaddream."Felixblinkedslowlyawake, and Kat's sad grey corpse-face was eclipsed by Snorri Nosebiter's ugly pink one. Greydaylightwasstreamingthroughthecracksintheshutters,andtherewasbirdsonginthedistance.Hehadn'theardbirdsin...

Sigmar,itfeltlikeyears.

"Thankyou,Snorri,"hesaid.

Heleveredupontohiselbow,thenhissedandnearlyvomitedasagonystabbedthroughhisarm.ThepainofKatchewingonhimhadcontinuedaftertherestofthedreamhadfaded,andhelookeddown.ThebandageTauberhadwrappedaroundhiswoundswasnowbrownwithdriedbloodandcrustedwithrivermud,andtheskinarounditpurpleandbulging.Hedrewhisdaggerandcutoffthegauze,thenfeltnauseousalloveragain.Thedeepgougesleftbythebat'sclawswerelikevolcanicfissuresthat spewed a lava of stinking pus, and there was a network of black lines spreading under theinflamed skin around them. The volcano analogywas apt in another way too, for it felt as if hisforearmhadamoltencore--asifhisboneswerewhite-hot--andwereradiatingheatlikeastove.

Snorricluckedlikeahen."Snorrithinksthatmightbeinfected."

"Possibly,"saidFelix."Yes."

FelixturnedtoGotrek,wholayunmovingbesidehim.TheSlayerlookedpalerthanFelixhadeverseenhim,andhislipshadafaintbluishtinge.

"Is...ishe..."

Snorrishookhishead."No,youngFelix.Buthestillwon'tdrinkanybeer."Felixsatup,wincingandfightingdizzinessashemovedhisarm,thenputhiseartotheSlayer'schestagain.Thefaintslushysoundofhisheartbeatwasstillthere,butevenweakerthanbefore,andhecouldn'theartheSlayer'sbreathingatall.

Felixgroanedandlayback.Afterhisyearsoffightingandhardtravelhecoulddressawoundwellenough, even set a bone if he had to, but he had no idea how one fixed glassy slivers that creptthroughtheheartandlungs.HewashelplesstosaveGotrek,justashewashelplesstosaveKat.Hedoubtedhecouldevensavehimself.

Still,hehadtotry.Withagrunthepushedhimselfunsteadilytohisfeet."Come,Snorri,"hesaid."Wehavetofindfood."

But as he took a step towards the door, nausea and dizziness overcame him again and he found

himselfface-firstonthefloor,theworldgoingblackaroundhim.

"Stayhere,youngFelix,"saidSnorrioutofthedarkness."Snorriwillfindthefood."

***

189

After that, Felixwas unable to follow the passage of time.He drifted restless and uneasy betweenconsciousnessandunconsciousness,betweenwakingnightmaresandnightmaresthatseemedreality.

Hewoke to find Snorri standing over him,waving something in his face. "Look, young Felix. Aturnip!"

Hewoke tosunlightstabbinghimin theeyesand theworst thirstofhis life.The jarofbeerwasamileaway.Hespilleditwhenhereachedit.

Hewoke to findhis fevergoneandGotrekhealed.Undercoverofdarkness, theyandSnorriwentbacktothecastletorescueKat,dodgingzombiesandkillingghoulsbeforeslippingacrossthedrymoatandstealingasiege ladder.Felix led theslayersover thewallsand theyfoundKatboundforsacrificeinthedefiledtempleofSigmar.

FelixkilledKemmlerwhileGotrekandSnorrikilledKrell,andtheywereallreuniteduntilhewokeagainandfounditwasstillday,andSnorrihadbroughthimanothercarrot.

Hewoketothrobbingagony.Thebruisedlinesinhisforearmhadspreadtohisneckandchest,andhispulseboomedinhisearlikeanorcwardrum,shakinghimwitheverybeat.HewasashotasthejunglesofLustria,sweatbeadingonhisbrowandpouringdownhisneck,andyet,atthesametime,ascoldashe'dbeenthatnighthe'dfallenthroughtheiceintheDrakwaldandnearlyfrozentodeath.Histeethchatteredlikediceinagambler'scupandhecouldn'tholdthejarofbeerSnorrigavehim,andhadtolettheoldslayerpouritintohimwithapatienthand.

Hewoketohisbrotherlimpingintothecottagewithhisgold-handledwalkingstickandtskingoverhim.

"Well,you'vecertainlymadeamessofthingsthistime,"hesaid,hischinswobblingwithdisapproval.

"Aye,"saidhisfather,wholaybesidehim,hisfacetornwithterriblescratchandbitemarks."JustthesortofendIexpectedyoutocometo,youne'er-do-well."Ulrikakneltdownbesidehimandtookhisarminhercoolwhitehands."Letmekissyou,beloved,"shesaid,"andwecanlivetogetherforever,withnopain,andnopartings."

Felixlookedupatherandthoughtshewasthemostbeautifulwomanhehadeverseen.Hewantedtoopen his mouth to say yes, but then Kat was at his other side, also dead, but not nearly as wellpreserved.

"WillyouliveonafterI'vedied,Felix?"sheasked."Weren'twetodietogether?"

Then,acrosstheroom,Gotrekgotupandslunghisaxeoverhisshoulder."Comeon,manling,"he

said,glaringbackathim."I'vegotadoomtofind."FelixstaredaftertheSlayerashestumpedoutthedoor.Hetriedtorise.Hetriedtospeak--triedtotellUlrikaandKatthathecouldn'tgowiththem.HestillhadhisvowtoGotrektoseetoitsfinish--buthecouldn'tspeak,couldn'tmove,couldn'teventurnhishead.

190

TWENTY-TWO

"Anothernightmare,youngFelix,"saidSnorri,shakinghisshoulder.

Felixpeeredupathim,havingdifficultyseparatingSnorrifromthedream.Helookedmoreunrealthan thephantomsthathadbeensurroundinghim.Hewasatonce toocloseandfaraway--hisuglyfacewasglaringinchesfromhisown,butthehandthattouchedhisshoulderwasattheendofalongarmthatstretchedfromacross the room.Felix lookedaway,unsettled,butgotno reliefelsewhere.Thewallsofthecottagewerebreathinginandout,andwitheachinhalationclosinginalittlecloser--

anditwasblisteringhot.

"Snorri,"hegasped."Whatareyouplayingat?Putoutthefire.You'reroastingusalive!"

"Thereisnofire,youngFelix,"saidSnorri."Snorrihasn'tbuiltitupyet."Felixlookedpasthimtothefireplaceandsawitwastrue.Thefirewasdowntoashyembers,andpinklightwasseepingthroughtheshutters.Itwasmorning--

thoughwhichmorning,Felixhadnoidea.Herubbedhisgreasybrowwiththebackofhishand."I...HowisGotrek?Hashe...?"

"Stillasleep,youngFelix,"saidSnorri."Snorridoesn'tknowifhe'llwakeupagain."

Felixshivered,thentriedtositup.Hisheadswamandhisarmswouldn'tsupporthim.Thewoundedone,whichhadhurthimsomuchthedaybefore,nowfeltnumbanddistant,butatthesametimeasfatandfullasanoverstuffedsausage.Hisfingerswereblack,andsothickhecouldn'tclosethem.

Snorri gently helped him to his feet and held him there. "Do you need to go to the privy, youngFelix?"

Felixshookhishead."TakemetoGotrek."

Theold slayer dutifully putFelix's armover his broad shoulders and crutchedhimover towhereGotreklaybythehearth.Felixloweredhimselfunsteadilytothegroundbesidehim,thenonceagainputhiseartotheSlayer'schest.

Atfirsthecouldhearnothingbuthisownpulsepoundinginhisear,butoncehehadlistenedpastthat,hisoverheatedheartgrewcold,foritseemedhecouldhearnothingatall.Hepressedharderwithhisear,hopingforanything,nomatterhowfaint.

His heart flared with hope as he heard something at last, very soft, and hardly a beat at all, butsomething.Helistenedagaintobesure.Yes,itwasthere,alowcontinuousvibration,liketherollofa

snaredrum,orsurf,ordistantthunder,or--

"Snorrithinkshehearshorsescoming,"saidSnorri.

Felixlookedupathim,marvelling.HecouldbarelyhearGotrek'sheartwithhisearpressedtohischest,andSnorricouldhearitstandingapaceaway.Truly,the191

sensesof thedwarfswere...Thenheheard it too--the samesoundhehadheardwhile listening forGotrek'sheart--therumbleofmanyhorsesonthemove,butcomingmuffledthroughthewallsofthecottage.

HelookedatGotrekagain.Whatdidthismean?Hadheheardnothing?WasGotrekdead?OrhadthesoundmaskedGotrek'spulse?Andhowcouldhelistenagainifthehorsesweregoingtokeepgettinglouder?

Wait.

Waitamoment.

Horses?

Gettinglouder?

"Snorri!"hesaid."Helpmeup!"

"Allright,youngFelix."

Theoldslayerreacheddownandsethimonhisfeetwithonehand,thendrapedhisarmagainaroundhisshoulders.

"Out,"saidFelix."Outtotheroad."

SnorrihitchedforwardsonhishammercrutchandhobbledFelixforwards.Slowandunsteady,theystumbled out the door to the muddy road which ran through the town. Felix looked west, in thedirectionthesoundwascomingfrom.Theroadturnedthroughastandoftreesbeyondthewestendofthevillage,andhecouldseenothing,buttherumblewasgettinglouder,andbirdsflewupfromthewood.

"Takecover,"saidFelix,pointingtothesideofthevillage'slasthouse,"untilweseewhoitis."

Snorri obligingly crutched him to the house and theywatched frombehind it as the source of therumblefinallyappearedfrombehindthetrees.Firstcametenpistoliersonswifthorses,canteringoutandsurveyingthevillageandsurroundinglandwhilewoodsmenwithlongbowscreptoutofthetreestoeither sideof the road, scouting fordangers in thebrush.Thenagreatcompanyofknightsandmagistersandwarriorpriestsfollowedoncolourfullybardedhorses,pacingmajesticallytowardsthevillage,bannersflyingandlanceshigh.

Thereliefforcehadcomeatlast!

"Comeon,Snorri,"saidFelix,urgingtheoldslayerforwards."Wemustgomeetthem.Notimetospare."

"Allright,youngFelix,"saidSnorri."Butit'sonlysomehumans."Theylurchedoutfrombehindthehouse and startedweaving towards the army like a pair of drunks heading home from the tavern.Felixwavedandthepistoliersspottedhimandgallopedforwards,drawingtheirweapons.

"WhoinSigmar'snameareyou?"askedayoungfellowwithadashingmoustacheastheythunderedup and surrounded them, guns at the ready. "Doyou live?"Theboy couldn't havebeenmore thaneighteen.

Felix threwupahand ina limpapproximationofasalute."FelixJaegerandSnorriNosebiter,"heslurred. "The lastdefendersofCastleReikguard."Thepistoliers lookedateachother, and the firstonespokeagain."Defenders?"hesaid."Whatdoyoumean,peasant?Y'don'tseemtobedefendingadamnedthing."

192

"Imean,"saidFelix,withelaborateprecision,"youhavecometoolate,pistolier.

CastleReikguardhasfallen."

Thepistolierscrieddisbeliefatthis,andthedashingboyglaredathim.

"Whatnonsenseisthis?"hesnarled."CastleReikguardhasneverfallen!"Felixopenedhismouthtoarguewithhim,but realised itwaspointless. "If youwould takeme toyour leader, Iwill tell himeverythingthathasbefallen."Thepistolierscoffed."Takeyou,yousickoldbeggar?ToseeHorstvonUhland?

Howdowe knowyou're not some pawn ofChaos, sent to give him the pox?" Snorri gripped hiswarhammer at this, and raised it into a fighting position while balancing on one leg. "SnorriNosebiterisnopawnofChaos!"hegrowledasFelixstruggledtostayupright."Andhe'llfightanyfoolishhumanwhosaysso!"Thepistoliersedgedtheirhorsesbackandthumbedbackthehammersof their pistols, but before things could get out of hand,more hoof beats sounded, and Felix sawanothercontingentofriderstrottingoutfromthemainforce.

"Easy,gentlemen,"calledawhite-beardedknight in thesurcoatof theReiksguard. "Questions first.Shootinglater."

"Mylordgeneral,"saidtheyoungpistolier."Ware,please!Theymaybetheundead.Orcultists.Or--"

Thegeneralbarkedalaugh."Atrollslayerandacultist?Youneedtoseemoreoftheworld,lad."

HepulledupinfrontofFelixandSnorriashisretinueofknightsandcompanionsreinedinbehindhim.

"Nowthen,"hesaid,lookingdownatFelixandSnorriwithabright-eyedglare.

"Whoareyou?Andwherehaveyoucomefrom?Bequick."Theeagerpistoliersaluted."Theysay

theyarethelastdefendersofCastleReikguard,mylord.Theysaythecastlehasfallen."

Thegeneralscowledathim."Whydon'tyouletthemtell--"

"FelixJaeger!"criedavoicefrombehindhim."AndSnorriNosebiter!AsIliveandbreathe!"

Felix frowned and looked past the general.One of his companions, a tallman in a hooded beigetravellingcloak,wasgettingdownfromhishorseandhurryingforwards.

Thegeneralandtheotherslookedaroundathim,surprised.

"Youknowthem,magister?"

The man pulled back his hood, revealing a silver mane of hair and a lined, worried face. "I do,general,"hesaid."ThoughIbarelyrecognisedthem.Felix,Snorri,youlooknine-tenthsdead."

ItwasMaxSchreiber.

Felix'sheartsurged.Healmostwept.HeletgoofSnorri'sshoulderandstumbledforwards,reachingouttohim.

"Max!"hesaid. "Gotrek.Kat. I..."Theworld started to spinanddim.His legswobbled. "I think theSlayerhasmethisdoomat--"

"Felix!"

193

Theground racedupand smackedFelix in the face.Far away,peoplewere shouting,buthedidn'tcare.Thedarknesswasclosinginaroundhimagain.Itwaswarmandsoftandlovely.

"He'scomingaround,"saidsomeone.

"Thankyou,sister,"saidsomeoneelse."Nowreturntotheothers."Felixdidn'twanttoopenhiseyes.The darkness had been too comforting, and he knew that leaving itwould hurt, but already itwasfadingofitsownaccord,andhecouldn'tfollowit.Itwasleavinghimbehind.

He liftedhiseyelidsand lookedaround,andforamomentwasconfused.Heknewthe roofbeamsabovehimfromearlierwakings.Hewasbackinthecottage.

Hadthecomingofthereliefforceonlybeenanotherdream?HadMaxbeenadream?

Abalding,white-beardedmanhove intohis fieldofvisionand lookeddownathim,hiseyeshard,thenMaxstepped in tohis right, followedbyananxious,dark-hairedyoungman inarmour, and...and...Felixblinked,thinkinghewasstillhallucinating.TwomenstoodatMax'sside,oneintheblackrobesofapriestofMorr,theotherinthemidnight-violetrobesofawizardoftheAmethystCollege,buttheybothhadthesamelong,sadfaceandshavedskulls.Theywereidentical.

"Herr Jaeger," said the white-bearded man, who Felix now recognised as the Reiksguard general

withouthishelmet--vonUhland,thepistolierhadcalledhim.

"Areyouwellenoughtotalk?Wehavelittletime."

Felixpulledhiseyesfromtheunsettlingtwinsanddidamentalcheckofhowhefelt.Disorientated,certainly.Inpain,ohyes,quiteabit,butnotsomuchasbefore.

Andthefreezing,feveredsweatinghadstopped,so,relativelyspeaking,notsobad.

"Yes,"hesaid.

"Good,"saidthegeneral,andsat,thenmotionedfortheotherstodothesame.

Felix looked around as they did.Hewas lying in amilitary cot, his arm neatly bandaged and hisfingersnearly returned to theirnormalsizeandcolour. In thebackground,aSisterofShallyawasmovingabout,andthroughthedoorhecouldseethatthevillagewasteemingwithsoldiers.Gotrek'saxewas propped near the hearthwhere Snorri had set it, but the Slayerwasn't there. Felix's heartthuddedwithsuddenpanic.

"We'lltrytobeasbriefaspossible,"saidthegeneral,asascribeathisshoulderbegantomakenotesinabigbook."Butwemustaskyousome--"

"WhereistheSlayer?"askedFelix."Gotrek.Ishe--"

Maxleanedin,cuttinghimoff."He'swiththesurgeons,Felix.They'redoingeverythingtheycan."

"No,"saidFelix,heartthudding."Youdon'tknow.Theydon'tknow.Theaxe.

Krell's axe. It struck him. It left poisoned slivers in thewound. They're killing him!" The sombretwinsraisedtheirheads,andMax'seyeswidened.

"Poisonedslivers?"heasked.

Felixnodded."TheSlayersaidtheyburrowtotheheart.Ifeartheyhavealreadyreachedit."

Maxpaledandturnedtothegeneral."Mylord,ifyouwouldexcuseme."

"Go,"hesaid."Wewillmakerecordofourconversationhere."194

Maxstoodandhurriedfromthecottage.Felixwantedtogetupandgowithhim.

HeshouldbewithGotrek,nothere,talking.

GeneralvonUhlandturnedbacktohim."Hewillbewelltakencareof,HerrJaeger.Ipromiseyou.Now,wehadthestoryfromyourfriendwiththe--thenailsinhishead,butitwasabitconfused.We'dlikeyouto--"

"My fatherandmother,"broke in thedark-hairedyoungman, leaning forwardswithanxiouseyes."Dotheystilllive?"

Felixlookedathim,bewildered."I--whoareyourfatherandmother?"

"ThisisMasterDominicReiklander,"saidthegeneral."Sonofthegrafandgrafin."

Felix'sfacefellasherememberedthelasttimehesawthem,whentheundeadgrafhadtornhiswife'sthroatout.Theboyreadhisexpressionandlookedawaybeforehecouldspeak.

"I'msorry.They..."Felixdidn'twant togointodetails."Theydidn'tsurvive."Dominicnodded, thenstoodabruptlyandcrossedtothehearthtostareintothefire.

Von Uhland looked at him, then turned back. "This Krell you mentioned. He is the leader of theundead?"

Felix shook his head. "Krell is a lieutenant. The necromancer who raised the horde is namedKemmler. I know little about him, but he is capable of raising thousands of undead, and blightingfoodanddrink,and--"

"Iknowofhim,"saidthegeneral,grim."ThoughIhadheardhewasdead,killedbyDukeTancredofQuenellesinBretonnia."Hecursed,thenlookedbackatFelix.

"Andhisplans?ThemessageGeneralNordlingsent said the fiendmeant tomarchonAltdorf.Doyouknowhisnumbers?"

"Iwouldguessmorethaneightthousand,"saidFelix."Perhapsasmanyasten.

Men and beastmen alike, as well as picked troops of ancient warriors, giant bats, ghouls, spirits.And..."He lookedapprehensivelyatDominic'sback."And, I fearhehassomefurtherplansfor thegrafandgrafin."

Theyounglordturned,darkeyesflashing."What?Whatdoyousay?"Felixswallowed,wishinghedidn'thavetogoon."Heraisedthem,mylord,butIfearthatwasonlythebeginning..."

Theyounglordlookedstricken,andhadtositdown,butthenlookedupandfixedFelixwithahardeye."Tellme."

Felix shrugged. "Iwish I knewmore to tell.He raised them and took them away, saying they had'worktodo'.Whatthatcouldhavebeen,Idon'tknow.Butitkepthimfromthefinalbattle."

Dominicburiedhisheadinhishands."Hewillpay,"hesaid."Nomatterwhathe'sdone.Theirdeathsanddesecrationcannotgounavenged."Thesad-eyedpriestofMorrclearedhisthroat."Thisdoesnotbodewell,"hesaid.

VonUhlandlookedathim."Youknowwhatheintendstodo,FatherMarwalt?"Thepriestshookhishead,butitwashisbrotherwhoanswered.

195

"Notprecisely,"saidtheAmethystmagister."Butifheisusingthegrafandgrafininhisritual,itmaymeanthatheispreparingsomethingthatwillaffectalloftheReikland."

VonUhlandfrowned."Idon'tunderstand,MagisterMarhalt,"hesaid."Howcouldtheircorpseshelphim?"

"In magic, there is power in name and place," intoned Father Marwalt. "Castle Reikguard is theancientseatoftheReiklandprinces,theplacefromwhichtheprovincewasonceruled,andstillthesometimehomeoftherulerofusall,KarlFranz."

"AndthegrafandgrafinaretherulersofCastleReikguard,"continuedMagisterMarhalt."Therefore,symbolicallyatleast,therulersoftheReikland."

"AritualperformedinCastleReikguard,upontherulersofCastleReikguard,couldbeusedtoaffectallthelandsthatmakeupitsdomain,"finishedFatherMarwalt.

VonUhlandstaredatthem."Whatcouldhedo?"heasked."Whatwouldthisritualbe?Couldheraiseall the dead from here toAltdorf?" The father and themagister shrugged their narrow shoulderssimultaneously.

"Whocanknow?"theysaidinunison."Itmightbeanything."

"Andhowlong?"askedvonUhland,lickinghislips."Howlongwouldsuchaspelltake?"

Thetwinsshruggedagain.

"Aritualthatpowerfulmighttakedaysorweeks,"saidMagisterMarhalt.

"Andithasalreadybeendays,"saidFatherMarwalt.

VonUhlandpaledandstood."Nomoretimecanbelost,"hesaid,turningtothedoor."Iwillsurveytheposition,andthenwewillmove."

"Iwillcomewithyou,"saidDominic,steppingtohim."IknowthecastleasIknowmyhands,andthesecretwaysinandoutaswell."FelixthoughtofKat,andstruggledtopushupfromthebed."I'llcometoo,"hesaid."Imustreturnto--"

VonUhlandputahandonhisshoulderandpressedhimback."Rest,HerrJaeger.

TheReiksguardhasthesituationinhand.Butthankyouforyourinsightandinformation."

"But..."saidFelix.

Thegeneralwas alreadywalkingout thedoorwithDominicReiklanderonhisheels.Felixglaredafter them.WhowasUhland to tell him to rest? Hewasn't going to idle in bedwhenKat was indanger.Hethrewoffthecoversandpushedhimselftoasittingposition,thenclutchedtheedgesofthecotwhiletheroomspunaroundhim.

Felix tookdeepbreathsuntil the sensationpassed.Hewanteddesperately to liedownagain,buthewouldn't.HehadtogowithvonUhlandandDominic.Heshiftedhislegsoverthesideofthecotandwobbledtohisfeet,thenpausedforthespinningtofadeagain,andstartedforthedoor.

Maxappearedinitbeforehereachedit."Felix,"hesaid,hisfacegrave."Gotrekisdying.Comewithme."

196

TWENTY-THREE

MaxledFelixthroughthered-bordereddoorofthesicktent,thenstoodaside.TheSlayerlayonacotagainstthebackwall,hisoneeyeclosed,andhisarms,legsandtorsocoveredinbruises,bandagesandstitches.Snorristoodbesidehim,anewpegonhisstump,andstareddownathimsilently.OfftoonesidetheSisterofShallyawashelpingasurgeonpackuphisscalpels,needlesandthread.

"Wedidallwecould,Felix,"saidMax."Thesurgeoncleanedandpatchedeverywoundhecouldfind,whiletheabbessprayedtoShallyatohealthedamagedonetoGotrek'sinternalorgans.IperformedeveryspellofcleansingandhealingIknow,but...buttherehasbeennochange.Itseemsweweretoolate."Felixnoddeddully,thencrossedtothecotandstoodbesideSnorri.Gotreklayasifasleep,hisbrows furrowed,buthischestdidnot seem to riseand fall.Hemadenomovementatall. "Hestilllives,"saidMax,"butnotforlong.Itisonlyamatteroftime."

Felix knelt beside the cot and leaned in. "Gotrek," he said. "Please.Don't let your doom be a fewspecksofglass.Krelllives.Gobackandfinishhim.GetyourrevengeandhelpmerescueKat."

Therewas no change in theSlayer's face. Felix hadn't really expectedone, but it still hurtwhen itdidn'tcome.Hehunghishead,thenstoodagain,hisfistsballingathissides.

"Heshouldhavehisaxe,"heblurted."Heshouldn'tdiewithouthisaxe."

"Snorriwillgetit,"saidSnorriheavily,thenturnedandwalkedoutofthetent.

Maxcoughedfromthedoor."Ifthereisanythingyouneed,Felix,"hesaid.

Felixshookhishead."Just--justsometime."

Maxnoddedandmotionedtothesurgeonandabbess,thensteppedtothedoorastheyfiledout."I'llseeyou'renotdisturbed."

RageboiledinFelix'schestashelookeddownattheSlayer.Thiswasnothowitwassupposedtoend.TheSlayerwasnotsupposedtodieinbed.Hewasnotsupposedtogoquietly.Hewassupposedtogodownfighting,bleedingfromahundredcutsandtorntopiecesbythedeaththroesofthemonstrousenemyhehadjustslain.Thiswaspathetic,theworstendforGotrek'ssagathathecouldimagine.

Hewouldneverhavewrittenitlikethis.Never!

TwentyyearsandmoreoftravellingwiththeSlayer,fightingbesidehim,weatheringhismoodsandsharinghis triumphs--it had all seemed like itwasbuilding to something.Hehad felt that the epicwouldhaveafinishworthyofitschapters.CurseKrell!Cursehimforacheatandpoisoningcoward!AndcurseRoditoo,forrobbingGotrekofatrueslayer'sdeathwhilehewasstillwellenoughtotakeit.

197

Felixturnedaway,snarling.Everythingwaswrongnow.Everything!TheSlayerhaddiedpoorly,andthough,becauseofthat,Felixwasnowfreeofhisvowtohim,whatdidthatfreedomhold?Nothing.Itwasmeanttohavebeenanewbeginningforhim--anewlifewithKat,wheretheywouldgowheretheylikedanddowhattheywanted,alonetogetheratlast,butithadbeenatleasttwodayssinceheandSnorriandGotrekhadfallenfromthewallsofCastleReikguard.TherewasnowayKatcouldstillbealiveafterallthattime.HewouldofcoursegowithGeneralvonUhlandandfindoutforhimself,buthealreadyknew theanswer.Shewasdead,andwithherdeath,hisdreamofabetter futurediedaswell.

SnorrilimpedbackintothetentandheldoutGotrek'sruneaxe."Hereitis,youngFelix,"hesaid.

Felix stepped tohimand took theweapon,andalmostdropped it. Itwasunsettlinglyheavy.Withagrunt, he heaved it up and crossed to Gotrek's cot, then laid it on the Slayer's bearded chest andcrossedhisheavyhandsoverit.

"There,Gotrek,"hesaid,standing."You'llneedthatinGrimnir'shalls."Snorristoodontheoppositesideofthecotandbowedhishead."MayGrimnirwelcomeyou,GotreksonofGurni,"hesaid.

Thisatleastwasright,thoughtFelix--thatheandSnorriwerethere,andthattherightthingshadbeensaid.HedecidedhewouldstayandstandvigiloverGotrekuntilthesisterstoldhimhewasdead.HehadvowedtotheSlayerthathewouldwitnesshisend,andif thissad,silentpassingwasit, thenhewouldnotfailthatvow.

Ifonlyhedidn'tfeellikehewasgoingtofalloveratanysecond.

Felixlookedaroundandsawacampchairofftooneside.Hedraggedittothecotandsat.Hewouldsitvigilthen.Itwouldbethesame.

Felixsnappedawake,panicseizinghim.Howlonghadhebeenasleep?Helookedtothedoor.Redtwilightfilteredintothetent.No!Ithadn'tbeennoonwhenhe'dsatdowninthechair.Howhadthishappened?Howhadhelethimselffallasleep?

HeturnedtoGotrek'scot.

Itwasempty.

ThepanicinFelix'schestturnedtocolddread,thencrushingguilt.Gotrekhaddied.Snorrihadtakenhimawaytobeburied,andFelixhadmissedit.HehadnotwitnessedtheSlayer'send.Hehadnotbeenbyhissideinhisfinalmoments.Hehadfailedinthedutythathehadsworntokeepfortwentyyears.Now anger surged up to join the guilt. Damn Snorri!Why hadn't he woken him?Why hadn't hewarnedhimwhentheendwasdrawingnear?

Felix struggled up out of the chair and nearly fell on his face. Hewasmuch recovered from hiswounds, andhisarmno longer throbbed,but thedizziness still lingered,andhewas sohungryhecouldbarelystand.

He recovered andpushedunsteadily into amazeof tents. In the short time theyhadbeenhere, the

relief forcehad transformed the littlevillage intoabustlingcamp, andone thatwaspreparing forwar.Knightsandsquiresandgroomshurriedby,carryingarmourandsaddles,andtheharshcriesofsergeantsechoedfromeverydirection.

198

Felixtookaright,heading--hehoped--forthemainroadthroughthevillage.HehadtofindMaxorSnorriortheabbessofShallyaandaskthemwhathadhappened--andtheywouldgetapieceofhismindforlettinghimsleepthroughthedeathofhisdearestfriend.

Afteranother turning,hefoundtheroad,andlookedbothways.Alargetentwith thebannerof theReiksguardknightsflappingaboveitsatbeyondtheshackheandSnorrihadshelteredin.Thatwouldbe the command tent. He started towards it, but before he had taken more than five steps, anintoxicatingsmellnearlystoppedhiminhistracks.Someonewasroastingpork,andtherewasgravytoo.

Heturnedtowardsthedeliciousscentjustintimetohearafamiliarvoicesay,

"Snorriwouldlikemorebeer,please."

Felix'sheartlurchedandhestumbledforwards.Theoldslayersoundedverycalm.DidhenotknowwhathadhappenedtoGotrek?Orhadheforgottenalready?

Sigmar,thatwouldbeaterriblething!Themesstentwasjustaheadontheleft.Felixduckedthroughthecanvasflaps,scanningfortheoldslayer.

"Snorri,"hesaid."Thereyouare.I--"

Hecutoffasthesceneinthetentcameintofocus.Snorrisatatalongmesstableinthemiddleoftheroom,withafeastoffoodbeforehimandahugemugofbeerinhisfist,andacrossfromhim,headdownandforkshovellingfoodintohismouthlikesomesortofmachine,wasGotrek.

"Hello,youngFelix,"saidSnorri,wavingawell-strippedbone.

GotrekraisedhissingleeyetoFelix,scowling."Finallyawake,manling?"heasked."Now'snotthetimetosleep.There'sworktobedone."

"Gotrek!"saidFelix,butthenalumproseupinhisthroatandhefoundhecouldn'tsayanythingelse,whichwasjustaswell,really.Itwouldhaveonlybeensomethingsentimental,andGotrekwouldhavethoughthimweak.

"Aye?"saidtheSlayer."What?"

Hewasnotquitehisoldself.He lookedas strongasever,andheatewithhisusual relish,buthismovementswere somewhat stiff, andhewasuncharacteristicallypale,whilehis facehad lines andscarsuponitthathadn'tbeentherebeforethey'dcometoCastleReikguard.Buthowwashealiveatall?Maxhadsaidalltheirprayersandspellsandsurgeryhadn'tworked.Hadtheyonlytakensometimetotakeeffect?

HadtheSlayerrecoveredbysheerforceofwill?Hethoughtofasking,butGotrekwouldlikelyhavesnortedatthattoo.

"Nothing,"Felixsaidatlast,forcingdownthelump."It...it'sgoodtoseeyou,that'sall."

"HerrJaeger,"calledsomeone."Comehere.Eatwhilewetalk.Wemustbemovingsoon."

FelixturnedandsawGeneralvonUhland.Indeed,nowthathehadgotoverfindingGotrekalivehesawthat therewasquiteagathering in the tent.GeneralvonUhlandandLordDominicReiklander,stilldressedforscouting,satwithasmallcircleofofficers,whileMaxSchreiber,FatherMarwaltandhistwin,MagisterMarhalt,satbesidethem.

Felixsatandstabbedafewslicesofhamfromtheplatter,thenslatheredasliceofbreadwithbutter.Sothiswashowgeneralsate,hethought.Nowondertheyallgot199

fat,nomatterhowmuchcampaigningtheydid.Well,hewasallforitnow,andstuffedhismouthfullwithbothhands.Sigmar,itwasgood!Thejuiceofthehamrandownhisthroatliketheelixiroflife.Heneverwantedtostopeating.

"We have a challenge ahead of us, Herr Jaeger," said General von Uhland as he ate. "Kemmler'sundeadaredismantlingCastleReikguard.Alreadyallof thebuildingsof the lowercourtyardhavebeenput to the torch,and theexteriorwallshave lostmostof theircrenellations."Hegaveagrimsmile."Werewetowaitlongenough,hewouldteardownthewallsentirely,andwecouldrideinandattack,butwecannotwait.WecannotallowCastleReikguardtobecomeindefensible.Wemustwinitbackaswholeaswecan."

"Buthowarewetogetinwithoutsmashingdownthegatesorthewalls?"askedoneofthegeneral'sofficers."Canweclimbin?"

"Itwouldbeaslaughter,"saidanotherman."Thedeadwouldtearusapartaswetoppedthewalls."

"Withluck,itwon'tcometothat,"saidvonUhland.HenoddedtoDominic.

"LordReiklanderknowsofasecretwayintothecastlethatcomesoutinKarlFranz'sapartments.Apickedsquadofmen--"

"Kemmler knows that route," saidFelix. "Heused it. Itwill beguarded."Dominic's head cameup."How?Howdidhelearnofit?Whobetrayedthesecret?"

Felixhesitated.HewasfairlycertainithadbeenDominic'smotherwhohadtoldKemmlerthewayin--thinkingshewasinvitinginthekindlyoldmanwhowouldcureherhusband."I--Idon'tknow,"hesaid.

"It doesn't much matter how he knows," said von Uhland. "The question is, how well will it beguarded?"

Gotrek raisedhis head fromhis shovelling and swallowednoisily. "That doesn'tmatter either," hesaid."NothingwillstopmefromfacingKrellagain."

"SamegoesforSnorri,"saidSnorri.

Gotrekshottheoldslayeranangrylookatthat,butSnorrididn'tseemtonotice.

"Iwashopingyouwouldsaythat,SlayerGurnisson,"saidvonUhland.

"Someonemust get in and open the gates for us, someonewho knows the castle andwho has theabilitytoreachthelowergatehouse.Someonewhoisquitepreparedtodie."

"ASlayerisalwayspreparedtodie,"saidGotrek.

"Iwillgotoo!"saidDominic.

Thegeneralpursedhislips."MylordReiklander,Icannotofcourseforbidyou,butwithyourfatherdeadyouarethelastheirofCastleReikguard.Itwouldbewiserifyoustayedwiththemainforce,andfoughtinthestorming."

"No!"saidDominic,hisjawclenching."Reikguardismycastle.Iwillnothaveithandedtomebymyuncle'shonourguard.Iwilltakeit.Iwillleadtheinfiltration!"Thegenerallookedlikehewishedtosaymore,butatlastonlynodded."Asyouwish,mylord."

"Iwillcomeaswell,"saidMax."YouwillneedsomeonetoshieldyoufromKemmler'ssorceriesandhiswitchsight."

200

"Aswillwe,"saidthemagisterandthepriestofMorrinunison."Wearewellusedtodealingwiththeundead."

"AndI,"saidFelix."I'min."

GotreklookedfromhimtoSnorriandback,hiseyehard."Youhavemadeapledgetome,manling.Doyouforsakeit?"

Felixlookeddown,unabletomeethisgaze."Katisthere,Gotrek.Ifshelives,Imustsaveher.Ifsheisdead,Imustavengeher.Iamwillingtodieforit.I'msorry,but--"

"Forgetit,manling,"Gotrekgrunted."Iwon'tstopyou."HeturnedhiseyebacktoSnorri."Butthereisonewhowillnotgo."

AsGeneral vonUhland and his captains rose and left themess tent tomake ready tomarch,MaxcrossedtoGotrek'stableandsatdownbesideFelix.

"Iamglad to seeyou recovered,Gotrek,"hesaid. "It seemsamiracle."Gotrekshruggedandkepteating."Dwarfshavestrongconstitutions."

"Evenso,"saidMax,"notthreehoursago,Icountedyouamongthedead,andnowyouseemfullyrecovered."

"Notyet,"saidGotrek."It'lltakeafewmorebeers."MaxlaughedthenpausedandturnedtoSnorri,smilingquizzically."Yes,Snorri?"

FelixlookedaroundtoseethatSnorriwasstaringatthemagisteracrossthetable,hisbrowfurrowed.

"YoulookfamiliartoSnorri,"saidtheoldslayer."DoesSnorriknowyou?"Maxraisedaneyebrow."MaxSchreiber,Snorri.Youdon'tremember?"

"Snorri remembersMax Schreiber," said Snorri. "Do you know him?"Max looked atGotrek andFelix,confused.Gotrekjustgruntedandlookedaway.

Felixswallowed,andleanedintospeakinMax'sear."Snorrihassome...

difficultieswithhismemory."

Max looked across the table to Snorri, then nodded, grim. "I wondered if this might happen," hemurmured. "Therewere already signs of itwhen last I saw him in Praag, twenty years ago. I hadhopedhemightfindhisdoombefore--"Gotrekgotupabruptlyandstrodeoff,battingoutofthemesstentandintothenight.

Maxlookedafterhim,confused."DidIsaysomethingwrong?"Felixcoughed,thendrewMaxfurtherdownthetable."Snorrihasforgottenhisshame,"Felixsaidsoftly."AccordingtoGotrek,hewillnotbewelcomedintoGrimnir'shallsuntilheremembersit,whichmeansthat--"

"Thathecannotdieuntilheregainshismemory,"brokeinMax,noddingsadly.

"Hecannotactasaslayershould."

Snorri looked up at them, puzzled. Apparently they hadn't moved far enough to escape his keendwarfenhearing.

"Snorridoesn'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,"saidSnorriasFelixreddened.

"Snorriremembershisshame."

Felixblinked,hisheartthumpingwithsuddenhope."You--youremember?"heasked."Truly?"

201

"Ofcourse,"saidSnorri."HowcouldSnorriforget?Itwas..."FelixandMaxwaitedastheoldslayer'sgazeturnedinwardsandhepaused,hisforkhalfwaytohismouth.

"Itwas..."

AlookofpanicbegantospreadoverSnorri'scheerful,uglyface,andhiseyesdartedleftandright,asifhismemorymightbehidinginsomecornerofthetent.

"Itwas..."

Snorri'shandslowlylowered,andhelaidhisforkfulofmeatbackonhisplate.

Nowhiseyesstaredoffintosomeunimaginabledistance."Snorrihasforgottenhisshame,"hesaidsoftly."Thisisbad."

Felixwinced."Snorri,youalreadyknewthis,"hesaid."YoutoldusonthewaytotheBarrenHills.You'regoingtoKarakKadrintoprayforthereturnofyourmemoryattheShrineofGrimnir."

Snorri stuffed themeat into hismouth and chewed angrily. "Snorri remembers," he said. "He justforgotthatheforgotforamoment."Butthepainontheoldslayer'sfacetoldFelixthathewaslying.Thelosswasasfreshasthefirsttimehehadrealisedit.

Felix and Max exchanged another look, then Felix had to turn away. How horrible to have toexperienceoverandoveragainthepainoflearningthatyouhadforgottenthemostimportantthinginyourlife--thekeytoyouronlychanceatredemption.

"Wizard,comehere."

FelixandMaxturned.Gotrekwasstandinginthedoorofthetent,lookingatSnorri,hisfacehardandclosed.Maxcrossedtohim,andFelixstoodandwentwithhim.

"Whatisit,Gotrek?"askedMax.

"SnorriNosebiterwillneedasleepingdraught,"hesaid.

MaxlookedoverhisshoulderatSnorri."Now?Butthereislessthananhourbeforewestartforthecastle."

"Now,"saidGotrekthroughgrittedteeth."Snorriisn'tgoing."Maxfrowned,thennodded."Ah.Isee.Very well, Slayer. It will be done." Gotrek grunted and turned away again, walking off into thedarkness.ThepainbehindhisragewasalmosthardertowitnessthanSnorri'sconfusion.Gotrekwasthe most honest person Felix had ever met--not the kindest by any means, but he never lied orengagedintrickery--sotobeforcedtogobehindSnorri'sbackanddrughimsothathewouldstaybehindandnotseekhisdoomwasobviouslykillinghim--eventhoughitmeantsavinghisoldfriend'seternity.

202

TWENTY-FOUR

MaxbroughtSnorriahugesteinofbeerashewashavinghisthirdhelpingofsausages,andbythetimevonUhland'sarmymovedout forCastleReikguardanhour later,hewassnoringnoisily,hisheaddownonthetableandhishandstillclaspedaroundthestein.

Felix didn't dare meet Gotrek's eye as they left the old Slayer behind and followed Max, FatherMarwalt,MagisterMarhalt,DominicReiklanderandsixpickedReiksguardknightsoutofthecamp.Gotrekwasastensedasabeartrap,andFelixdidn'tcaretogethislegbittenoff.Hehopedtheothersweresmartenoughtosensehismoodaswell,ortherewouldlikelybeviolencebeforetheyreachedthecastle.

While vonUhland'smain forcemarched off due east along themain road, LordDominic led theinfiltrators by the light of a slotted lantern through the trees to thewoods north of the fields thatsurroundedCastleReikguard,wherehesaidtheentrancetothesecrettunnelwashidden.Felixgrewwaryastheygotclose,forthesehadbeenthewoodsfromwhichKemmler'shordehadpoured.Thebatshadrisenfromthiswood,andthesiegetowershadbeenbuiltatitsedge.Butnow,itseemed,theyweredeserted.Heneitherheardnorsawanyevidenceoftheundead,norofanyotherbeing.Nobirdssanginthebranches.Norabbitorfoxorbadgerrattledthroughtheundergrowth,andwiththewinterbranchesasyetunbudded,itwasasiftheymovedthroughadeadworld--asiftheymightbethelastmenaliveintheEmpire.

AshetrudgedalongatthebackofthelinewithGotrek,Felixkeptfindinghimselfstaringatthetwinbrothers,FatherMarwaltandMagisterMarhalt,whowalkedsidebysideinthecentreoftheline,theirheadstogetherasifhavingaprivateconversation,butwithoutspeakingaword.Finally,hiscuriositygotthebetterofhim,andheedgeduptoMax,whowasjustaheadofhimintheline.

"Max,"hesaidsoftly,noddingahead."Thefatherand themagister,do...do theyhavesomesortofconnection?"

Maxsmiledslyly."Besidestheobvious?"heasked."Yes,theycanspeakwithonlytheirminds.Indeed,thatispartlyhowtheycametochoosetheirprofessions."HedroppedbackwithFelixandcontinued,fillinghispipewithtobacco."Therewasathirdbrother,Marnalt--anothertwin--andthethreecouldspeaktoeachotherinthismannerfrombirth,butthenMarnaltwasmurderedbyanecromancer,andusedforfoulexperiments.Afterhisdeath,however,thedeadbrothercametothelivingpairintheirdreams,andtheydiscoveredthattheycouldcommunicatetogetherastheyhadwhentheywerealive."Maxmadeaflameappearattheendofhisfingerandlitthepipe,thenwenton."MarnaltbeggedhisbrotherstofindawaytofreehimfromhisghostlyunlifeandlethimpassontoMorr'srealm,andsothebrothersfoundtheircalling.Marwaltsoughttheanswertohisbrother'spredicamentinthe203

teachingsofMorr,whileMarhaltenteredtheAmethystCollegetoseekasorceroussolution,andintheprocess,eachdiscoveredthattheyhadgreatnaturalabilities,whichtheyhavesinceusedtofightnecromancyinallitsforms."

"Anddidtheyfreetheirbrother?"askedFelix.

"Ohyes,"saidMax."Andexposed,ruinedanddestroyedthevillainwhohadimprisonedhissoul,andthesoulsofathousandotherchildren."Hesmiledandstartedaheadagain."Theyhavebeenmuchindemandsincethen."Awhilelater,withthemoonsbothlowinthesky,LordDominicslowedtoastopandpointedahead.

"Thepassageisinfrontofus,"hesaid."Aboutfiftypaces."Maxnodded."Goquietlythen,"hesaid."Theremaybeguards."FelixandGotrekandtheReiksguardknightsdrewtheirweaponsasDominicclosedhis slotted lantern, andMax and the robed twinsmumbled spells and invocations.When allwereprepared,theycreptforwardsagain,andafteraminutecametoasmallclearing.Therewasacharcoalmaker'shuttooneside,longsinceburnedtothegroundandslowlyreturningtotheforest.Creepersovergrewtheexteriorwallsanddeadweedspushedupthroughtheplanksofthelittleporch.

"Isensenoone,"saidMax.

"Noranynecromanticconstruct,"saidFatherMarwalt.

"Norspellofdeath,"saidMagisterMarhalt.

"On,then,"saidDominic.

Theyentered theclearing,andquicklysawthat ithadbeenrecentlyvisited.Thebrushwascrushedflat,andtherewerefootprintsintheleafmould,somemadebybarefeet,somebyheavyboots,andsomebyfeetmadeofonlybones.

"Theentranceisinthehut,"saidDominic."Itwashidden,but..."TheReiksguardcaptaintooktheleadandstuckhisheadincautiously.Afteraquicklook,hemotionedtheotherson.

FelixfollowedGotrekinandlookedaround.Theinteriorwasasdilapidatedastheoutside,rooflessandweed-choked,butinonecorner,thecharredplankshadbeenpulledup,revealingasquareholeofmasonedstonebelow,withstepsdescendingintodarkness.Astonehatchlaycrackedintotwoheavypiecesbesideit.Dominicgruntedashesawit.

"Softly,friends,"saidMax."Theremaybeguardsinthetunnel."

"I'llgofirst,"saidGotrek.

No one argued, and the Slayer walked towards the steps with Felix following after. DominicReiklandersteppedinathissideandopenedhislanternagain,buttheReiksguardcaptaincoughed.

"Mylord,"hesaid,"perhapsweshouldgoahead."

Dominicshookhishead,thoughhisfacewaspale."No,CaptainHoetker,"hesaid."Iwillnotbegivenmycastle.Iwilltakeit."Thecaptainlookedunhappy,butcouldonlyinclinehisheadrespectfullyandformupbehindhim.Maxandthetwinstookuptherear,andtheprocessionfollowedGotrekintothedark.

The tunnel was two men wide, and went straight south for as far as Felix could see--which wasadmittedlynotveryfar.Beyondtheglowofthelanternitwaspitch-204

dark,butitwasclearthatGotrekcouldseewellenough,forhestumpedforwardsunconcerned,hisaxeswingingathisside.

Afewmomentslater,somethingglitteredinthedarknessaheadofthem,andFelixcouldmakeoutabig lump blocking the passage. Gotrek didn't slow, but everyone else did, going on guard andwhisperingtoeachotherastheywenton.Inafewmoresteps,theglitteringbecameaspillofgoldcoins, and the lumpbecameabody, slumpedagainstonewall, its eyesbulgingand itshands to itschest.

"VonGeldrecht!"gaspedDominic.

Itwas indeed the steward, his every pocket bulgingwith gold, andwith packs, pouches and sacksheavy-ladenwiththestuffstrappedandslungalloverhisbody.

"Andyourfather'streasure,"saidFelix."Hetrickedyourmotherintounlockingitshidingplace."

"Thethief!"snarledtheyounglord."Healwayswastoofondofgold."

"Well,"saidMax,squattingbythebodyandlookingintoitseyes,"thenyouwillbepleasedtohearhediedofit.Thestrainofcarryingitwastoomuch."Gotreksnorted."Pathetic."

Dominiclookeduncertainlyatthespilledtreasure,thenmotionedforthemtocontinue."Wewillhavetoleaveitforthemoment.Noneofyouwillspeakofthisuntilitisrecovered.Understood?"

Therewasageneralmurmurofassent, thoughsomeof theknights lookedover theirshouldersastheywenton,andFelixfrownedbackatit,puzzled.

"Whywasn'thepickedcleanbyDraegerandhismen?"askedFelix."Thiswastheirescaperoute."

"Thentheydidn'tgetthisfar,"saidGotrek.

Andaboutahundredpaces further in, theSlayer'spredictionproved true.Thepassagewasclottedwithdismemberedbodiesandbrokenweapons,andbloodfestoonedthewalls.

"Whowerethese?"askedDominicashepickedhiswayfastidiouslythroughthecarnage.

"Amilitiacaptainandhismen,"saidFelix."TheytriedtoescapeafterKemmlerandhiswightscamein."HegrimacedashefoundDraegeramongstthebodies.Hewasinthreeparts,andpartiallyeaten."Itseemstheymetsomestragglers."Dominicshivered,thencontinuedon.

Thepassageendedat lastagainstawallofmassive,dwarf-cutstone thatFelix realisedmustbe thefoundationsofCastleReikguard's outerwalls.Therewas a thick, iron-bound stonedoor set in theblocks,wideopen.

"Hold,"saidFatherMarwaltandMagisterMarhalt,asGotrekapproachedit.

"Therearewardshere."

TheSlayerstoppedandwaitedimpatientlyasMaxandthetwinsmutteredandprobedtheairbeforethemwith cautious hands, conferring all the while. Finally, FatherMarwalt turned and spread hislong-fingeredhands.Allthecolourseemedtodrainoutoftheairbetweenhispalms,andacloudofgreymistbillowedforth,rollingtowardsthedwarfandthemen.Itwasascoldasthegrave.

Gotrekgrowledandliftedhisaxe."Curseyoursorcery,deathpriest,"hesnarled.

"Whatisthis?"

205

"Whatareyoudoing?"barkedDominic."Desist!"

Magister Marhalt held up a hand as his brother continued the spell. "Fear not," he said. "It is aninvocationcalledMorr'sMask.Itisharmless,ifunpleasant.Itwillhideourwarmthandheartbeatsand

makeusappeardeadtotheundead.ItisoftusedbypaladinsofMorrtogetclosetotheirprey."

A clammy chill permeated Felix's clothes, leaving a sticky film of damp on his skin. His breathclouded,thengrewtoocoldtomakesteam.Thetipsofhisfingerswereblue.

"Youaremakingcorpsesofus,"saidDominic,repulsed.

"Mylord,Ipromiseyou,"saidMagisterMarhalt,"itisonlyamask.Withit,weshouldbeabletowalkpastanyundead,fortheywillbelieveusmoreoftheirownkind."

Dominicandtheknightswhisperedprayersandmadesignsof thegodsas thecloudsettledaroundthem.GotrekcursedinKhazalidandglaredat thepriestandthemagisterwithonecoldeye,buthestayedhisaxe.

AmomentlaterFatherMarwaltloweredhisarms,thenduckedhisheadapologetically."I'msorry,"hesaid."I shouldhaveexplained first. Iamunused to fightingalongside thosewhoarenotofMorr'stemple."Hemotionedtothedoor.

"Youmaygoin.Thewardswillnotnoticeusnow."

Gotrekstrodetothedoorandwentinwithoutpausing.Therestfollowedmorehesitantly.Felixcouldfeelnothingastheypassedthroughexceptthecoldmistofthepriest'sspell,whichmovedwiththemastheywent.Inside,thepassageturnedright,followingthecastlewalluntilitendedatanarrowspiralstair.ThestairwasalmosttoothinforGotrektoenter,andhehadtoturnsidewaysandholdhisaxebehindhiminordertoclimbit.Felixcouldn'timaginehowthehugewightshaddoneit--unlesstheyhaddeformedthemselvesinsomeway.

Thestairswentonandon,aroundandaroundandarounduntilFelixthoughthewasinsomehorribleloopingnightmarewherehewasforcedtoclimbforeverwithoutgettinganywhere.Finally,however,longafterhiskneeswerereadytogiveoutandhismindreadytoscream,thestepsendedatashortcorridorwithonewallofstone,andonewallofwood.Rather,thecorridorhadoncehadawoodenwall, but it had been smashed through, as if by an explosion, and the panelling and struts and theremainsofthesecretdoorthathadbeensetintoitwerenowstrewnacrossthecarpetedflooroftheruinsofastatelybedroom.

Acanopiedbedlargerthanthecharcoalburner'sshackthroughwhichtheyhadenteredroseagainstonewall, the initialsKFpickedout ingoldon theheadboard,andbeautifulpiecesof furnitureandgiantpaintingsoftheEmperor'saugustancestorslinedthepanelledwalls,nowallsadlysmashedandslashed.

Gotrek brought his axe into guard and stepped through the splinteredwall into the room, lookingaround,thenmotionedtheothersforwards.Theyduckedthroughbehindhim,swordsandspellsattheready.

"Come," saidDominic, shakinghisheadat thewreckageashe crossed towards the fardoor. "Thestairsarethisway."

They passed through an entryway lined with suits of armour, then through a shattered door to a

landingthatFelixrecognised.ItwastherethatKemmlerhadappearedtothembeforetakingthegrafandgrafinawayinhiscloudofshadows.

206

Felixedgedtotherailingandlookeddown.BelowwasthedoortoGrafReiklander'sapartments,andthe pile of bodies of the men who had died there--the young spearman, the handgunner, theartilleryman,ClassenandBosendorfer.Atleast,hethoughtwithaglanceatDominic,thecorpsesofthegrafandgrafinwerenotamongthem.

Movementfromfurtherbelowdrewhiseyeandhelookeddownthewellofthestairway.Thegroundfloorwascrawlingwithshufflingzombies,wanderingaimlesslyandbumpingintoeachother,aswellasafewghouls,theirheadstwitchingnervouslythiswayandthatastheyhunchedoverdeadbodiesandsuckedthemarrowfromtheirbones.Felixtriednottowonderifanyofthosebodies,oranyofthezombies,wasKat.Hemustfocusonthetaskathand.

HeturnedawayandpreparedtofollowGotrekwiththeothers,buttheSlayerstoppedandraisedhisaxe. The rune upon its head was blazing as bright as Felix had ever seen it, and reflected red inGotrek'ssingleeye.

"Thenecromancerishere,"hegrowled.

"Yes," said Magister Marhalt, his eyes half-closed. "Below us, on the ground floor. We must becareful."

FatherMarwaltputafingertohislips."Quietfromhereonandmoveslowly,"hesaid."Theundeadwillnotnoticeus."

"And remember," addedMax, shooting ahardglance atGotrek andFelix, "our aim is toopen thegatesforvonUhland,nottohaveanyunnecessaryfights.Youmayfightasyoulikeafterwehaveletthearmyin."Gotrekgrunted,butmadenocomplaint,andtheyallturnedandstarteddownthestepsataponderouscrawl.

Itwaslikesomethingoutofanightmare, thoughtFelix--walkingthroughahousefullof thelivingdeadasifinvisible,andallthewhilefearingthatonewouldcomeuponalovedone.Withthuddingheart,hescannedeachpileofbodiestheypassed,lookingfor,butprayinghewouldn'tfind,thetattersofaheavywoolcoat,orabrokenboworhatchet,amongthebones.Hesawnothing,butthatwasnoguaranteeKat still lived.Shemight havebeen eaten.Shemight be a zombie.Shemight havebeenchoppedtopiecesbyKrellandleftonthewall.

Thegroundfloorastheyreacheditwasthickwithzombiesandghouls,andFelixfounditdifficultnottogoonguardastheynearedthem.Someoftheknightscouldn'thelpthemselves,andMaxandthetwinshadtosurreptitiouslygrasptheirarmstoremindthemtolowertheirswords.

Felixclenchedhisteethuntiltheyached,expectingatanymomentthatoneofthehorrorswouldlookupandseethemasinterlopersandgroanwarningtotheothers,buttheydidn't.Eventheghouls,whowerelivingthings,withalmosthumanintelligence,gavethemnomorethanapassingglance.Still,hecouldn'thelpholdinghisbreath,orgrippingthehiltofhissword.

Thekeep'sgrandfoyerwastenpacesdownabroadcorridor--ahigh,marble-flooredentryhallwiththedoortothecourtyardaroundthecornertotheright,andtheopendoubledoorsofthegreathalltothe left, and as they shuffled towards it through the crowds of undead, Felix began to hear lowmurmuringsandwhisperingscomingfromwithinthedininghall.

"Eyesfront,"whisperedMax."Heisthere."

207

Butastheyenteredthefoyerandturnedtowardsthefrontdoor,Felixcouldn'thelpbutlookback,andneither could any of the others--not Gotrek, not Dominic, not even Max or Father Marwalt orMagisterMarhalt,whoallslantedtheireyesovertheirshouldersastheywalkedon.

Felix had had a brief glance at the dining hall once before, when he'd entered the keep with vonVolgenandClassenandtheotherstoconfrontGrafinAvelein,andheremembereditasaregalroomwithheraldicshieldsandtapestriesonthewalls,chandeliershangingfromtheceiling,long,richlysettablesbelowaraiseddaisandtallwindowslookingoutontoaformalgarden.

Itwasregalnomore.

Theshieldsandtapestrieshadbeentorndown,andintheirplace,strangesymbolswerescrawledinbloodonthebarestonewalls.Thechandeliershadbeenreplacedbyinvertedcorpses,headlessanddrippingblackfluidsfromthestumpsoftheirnecks.Thetableshadbeensmashedandthrowntothecorners to make room for an eldritch circle, burned and gouged into the polished wood floor.Ringing the circle at nine pointswere bronze braziers inwhich burnedmounds of severed heads,handsandarms,thefatandthefleshofthempoppingandhissingintheflames.

AndinthecentreofitallwasascenesostrangeitmadeFelixstumbleinshock.

Itseemedtohavebeenarrangedasasickparodyofsomeoldharvestritual,wherethelordandladyof the landwouldgive theirblessing to theirpeasants' crops and toast thebountyofnature.Thereweretwothronesinthecircle,eachcarvedwiththeeagleandcrownoftheReikland,andsquirminginthosethronesweretheundeadcorpsesofGrafReiklanderandGrafinAvelein--dressedinthefullregaliaoftheancientprincesoftheReikland.Sablerobeswitherminecuffsweredrapedaroundtheirbony shoulders, jewelled crowns slipped sideways on their shrunken skulls, chains of office hungacross their sunken chests, swords and sceptres were clutched awkwardly in withered claws, andaround them, mounded up on all sides of the thrones, was a bounteous feast of famine that wasdecayingasFelixwatched.

Sheaves of wheat gone rotten were crossed at the corpses' feet. Cadaverous hogs lay trussed onplatters,sogaunttheirribshadbrokenthroughtheircrumblingskin.

Basketsof apples andcabbages and leeks,blackand shrivelled, collapsedbetween spilled sacksofwormyflourandmouldygrain.Theskullsofcattleandthebonesofsheep,goatsandgeese lay inheaps.Andstandingbeforeitall,hisrobeswhippinginanunnaturalwindandhisarmsflungwidelike a priest giving a benediction,wasKemmler, his skull-topped staff gripped in one hand as hekeenedacacophonousincantation.

Ablacknimbusflickeredaroundhim,curdlingtheair,andheseemedtobedrawingitfromthedeadgrafandgrafin,andfromthefoulofferingsthathehadgatheredaroundthem.Witheachsyllableofhischantthecorpsesandthebountyseemedtowithermore,whilethecrownsandswordsandchainsthegrafandgrafinworerustedandblackenedandcrumbledtodustastheripplingenergyaroundthenecromancergrewdarkerandmoretangible.

Itwasthespellofblightagain,Felixwassureofit--thesameevilpallthatKemmlerhadcastuponthecastle,poisoningthewaterandruiningthefood,thespellthathadstarvedandweakenedthedefendersandmadethemeasypreyforhisminions.NowhewascastingitagaininsideCastleReikguard,upontherulersof208

CastleReikguard,andifwhatFatherMarwaltandMagisterMarhalthadsaidwastrue,itwouldaffectall the lands thatmade up its domain--the blightwould spread across all theReikland.Everywellwouldbepoisoned.Allthefoodwouldwither,rotanddie.Thepeoplewouldstarve.Thearmywoulddie on its feet.With one spell,Kemmlerwould defeat the forces of theEmpire before his undeadhordemarchedasinglestep.

"Mother,"chokedDominic."Father!"

Felixclampedahandovertheboy'smouthandlookedaround,afraidhehadbeenheard,butasecondlaterGotrekpushedpastthemboth,stalkingtowardsthegreathallasheranhisthumbalongthebladeofhisaxeanddrewblood.

Felixgaped,andmadetocallafterhim.Maxbeathimtoit.

"Gotrek!"hissedthemagister,grabbingforhim."Whatareyoudoing?Isaidyouweren'ttofight!"

Gotrekshruggedhimoffwithoutbreakingstep."Noonedoesthattoaslayer,"hegrowled."Noone!"

Felix had no idea what he was talking about. Slayer? Which slayer? Was Snorri here? Had hesomehowwokenfromhisdruggedstuporandbeatenthemhere?

ThenhesawwhatGotrekhadseen,andhepaled.RodiBalkissonstoodatoneoftheflamingbraziers,feeding a severed head into the fire from a bucket full of body parts that he held in his left hand.Therewasa terrible axewound inhis chest, andhis lower jawandbeardweremissing, leavingacrustedredholeinhisfacewheretheyshouldhavebeen.Therewasnomistakingthebraidedslayer'screstormassivephysique,however.ItwasRodi,andhewasdead,andyethewalked.Norwashetheonly one. Kemmler had also raised others to be his servants--Tauber, Sergeant Leffler and vonVolgenalsoheldbucketsandfedthegrislyfiresaswell.

MaxandFatherMarwaltandMagisterMarhalttiptoedfranticallyafterGotrek,whisperingafterhimtocomeback.TheSlayerdidn'theedthem.HestrodeintothegreathallandchoppedoffRodi'sheadwithasingleslashofhisglowingruneaxe.

"GotoGrimnir,RodiBalkisson,"saidGotrek.

209

TWENTY-FIVE

Kemmler turned, his incantation faltering, as Rodi's body and jawless head thudded to the floorbehindhim.

"Youhavedishonouredthedeadofthedwarfs,necromancer,"saidGotrek,launchinghimselfathim."Youwilldieforit."

Kemmlerleaptback,cryingoutinfear,andvanishedintoacloudofdarknessthateruptedfromhiscloak.

The Slayer skidded to a stop, glaring around, then roared and charged out of sight to the right,bellowing,"Standaside,wight!Thedefilerdiesfirst!"

"Thedwarfisinsane,"whisperedFatherMarwaltandMagisterMarhalt,asFelixandMaxhurriedforthedoor.

"Heisaslayer,"saidMaxoverhisshoulder."Sanitydoesn'tentertheequation."

"ThenIamaslayertoo,"criedDominic,andchargedafterthem,drawinghissword."Mymotherandfathermustbeavenged!"

"But,my lord, thegates!"calledCaptainHoetker."Wemustopen thegates!"Theyoung lorddidn'tlisten.HeshovedpastFelixandMaxastheyreachedthedoor,andplungedoninthedirectionGotrekhadgone.

Felixblanchedashesawwhattheboywasrunningtowards."LordDominic!

Comeback!"

Therightendofthegreathallwasaraiseddais--theplacewherethegrafandgrafin'sthronesshouldhave been. A curtained musicians' gallery rose above it, and a mural of Young Sigmar killingBlacktusktheBoarwaspaintedbehindit.Nowitwasbareoffurniture,andfullofwights.Kemmlerstood in the centre of a square of motionless skeletal warriors, crooning out another incantationwhilebelowhimonthedais'broadstairs,GotrekfoughtKrell,theLordoftheUndead.

Felixracedforwards,reachingafterDominic,buthewastoofarback.Theyounglordshoulderedinbeside the Slayer and started hewing at thewight king like awoodsman.Unfortunately, his swordstrokeswerewildandglancinganddidnothing.

Helookedlikeaterriertryingtohelpabulldogfightabear,andquicklymetaterrier'sfate.AsKrellslashedatGotrek,Dominicgotintheway,andwassmashedbackwardsintotherottingbountyatthefootofhisfather'sthrone,hisswordshearedinhalfandhisarmourcrumpledattheshoulder.

Felix ran to him as the Reiksguarders thundered in. He was stunned, and groaning in pain, butthankfullyseemeduncutbyKrell'saxe.

"Helives?"askedCaptainHoetker,hurryingpast.

"Aye,"saidFelix.

"Well,keephimback."

210

TheknightschargedforwardstoattackKrell,andwerefollowedintotheroombyatideofzombiesandghouls.

"Father!"shoutedMax."Magister!"

The twins turned, and Magister Marhalt backed from the door, mumbling cantrips and pullingsomething from his sleeves, while FatherMarwalt pulled a stick of charcoal from his robes andbegantoreciteaprayertoMorr.

Belowthedais,KrellwhirledhisaxeinawidearcastheReiksguardersfellinwithGotrektoattackhim.Twooftheknightstriedtoturntheblowontheirshieldsandcrasheddown,shieldssunderedandarmsmaimedandfleckedwithblackslivers.

"Getback,fools!"growledGotrek,andMaxechoedhim.

"Knights!"heshouted."LeaveKrelltotheSlayer!Killthewights!AttackKemmler!"

At the door,MagisterMarhalt held out a gold-chased human skull towards the undead who wereshufflingintotheroomandcriedanarcanephrase.Theskull'sjewelledeyesemittedavioletlightthatwentthroughthemlikeaShockwave.Theyflewbackwardsintotheentryhall,knockingbackthosebehindanddisintegratingastheyfell--arms,legsandtorsosbreakingintorottingchunks.

Withthedoorwaymomentarilyclear,FatherMarwaltrushedtoitanddrewathickblacklineacrossthethresholdwithhischarcoal,thendodgedback.Thezombiesandghoulscameforwardsagain,butwhen they tried to step over the line, their flesh blackened and cracked as if they were beingconsumedbyinvisibleflames.Theycouldnotcrossit.

Felix looked back to the dais. The Reiksguarders had done Max's bidding and were attackingKemmler'sprotectivesquareofwights,leavingGotrektofightKrellallonhisown.

TheSlayerwas revelling in it, rainingblowson thewightkingwithamaniacal smile twistinghisface.This,atlast,thoughtFelix,wasthefightGotrekhadbeenlookingforsincehehadfirstcrossedaxeswithKrellonthewallsofthecastlesevendaysago.Therewerenodistractionsnow--noundeadwyvern toget in thewayorallowKrell toescape,no interfering rivals,noworriesaboutkeepingSnorrialive.

Therewasonlyafighttothefinishwithaworthyenemy.

The dwarf and undeadwarriorwere so evenlymatched that it seemed neitherwould ever gain anadvantage. No matter how fast Gotrek's axe blurred, Krell's was there to meet it. No matter howpowerfulKrell'sstrikes,Gotrekreturnedthemwithequalforce,andtheairshiveredwiththeringingofobsidianonsteel.

Felix hauled the semi-conscious Dominic out of the way as Gotrek sent Krell crashing intoKemmler'sritualcircle,thenleaptafterhim.

"Mylord,"saidFelix,asKrellsurgedupagainandthebattleroiledtheirway.

"Canyoustand?"

TheboyonlygroanedandFelixdraggedhimfurtherback.

Behind his protectivewall ofwights,Kemmler's arcane incantationwas rising to a crescendo, butMaxandMagisterMarhaltandFatherMarwaltwerecastingspellsoftheirowntocounterit.MagisterMarhalt trained the jewelled sockets of his golden skull on the necromancer andbathedhim in itsburningvioletstare.Maxscribedglowingwordsintheairwithonehandwhilebrandishingaroundmetalmirrorwith211

theother.Awhite-goldlightpouredfromthediscasifitwerereflectingthelightofthesun,andthebeamsearedKemmler's eyes.FatherMarwaltheld a flickeringblackcandle and recited traditionalMorrian burial prayers, meant to lay the dead to rest and keep them there--and it appeared to beworking,fortheverdigrisedaxesofKemmler'swightsseemedtobeslowing,andtheswordsoftheReiksguarderswerebashingthroughtheirdefencesandstrikingbronzeandbone.

But, thoughMax's lightblindedhimandMagisterMarhalt's fireburnedhim,Kemmlermanagedtoshriekthelastwordsofhisincantationandthrusthisskull-toppedstaffoutbeforehim.

ArippleofshadowburstfromthestaffandMaxandthetwinsgaspedandstaggered.Felixdidtoo,awave of dizzying weakness buckling his knees. The Reiksguarders were affected as well, andsuddenlyitwastheirswordsthatwerefaltering,andthewightsthatweresmashingthemback.Felixgroaned.Hisarmswereshakingandhisheartbeatingfastbutfaint.Itfeltasifallthedaysofthirstand starvation he had experienced during the siege were happening to him now in the span of aminute.

Then,justashefelthewouldcollapsenexttoLordDominic,ashimmerofgoldpassedthroughhimand the sickweakness lessened, thoughnot entirely.He lookedaround.Max stoodbefore thedais,bracedasifagainstahighwind,hisarmsoutstretchedandshaking,pushingthewallsofasphereofgoldenlightouttoencompassthemall.

ProtectedbyMax'sward,thetwinsrenewedtheirprayersandincantations,thoughtheirhandspushedthough their ritualmotions like theywereneckdeep inquicksand.Kemmlerhad also thrownup ashield--awhirlwind of spectral forms and half-seen faces that swirled around him, screaming anddyingastheyblockedthepurplelight.

TheonlyonesapparentlyunaffectedbyalltheprayersandspellsandcounterspellswereGotrekandKrell,whofoughton,oblivious,toeverythingbuttheirclose-foughtcombat.KrellslammedGotrekbackwards intoa jumbleof tables,smashing themtosplinters, thencharged inas theSlayer rolledfromthewreckageandslashedbehindhimwithhisaxe.ThestriketoreawayKrell'sgreaveandboot,leavinghimlimpingonabarebonefoot,buthecameonregardless,andhisnextstrikesentGotrekcrashing into the braziers that ringed the circle and sending burning hands, feet and heads flyingeverywhere.

FelixpulledDominicoutofthewayagain,andtheboyfinallystumbledtohisfeet.

"Thisway,mylord,"saidFelix."Keepback."

ButashedrewDominicaway,hebumped into somethingbehindhim,and turned to findSergeantLefflerswinginghistwo-handedswordathim.

Felix gasped and ducked, and the blade whooshed an inch over his head--and gashed Dominic'sshoulder.Fromtheirleft,thecorpseofSurgeonTauberlurchedin,handsoutstretched,andfromtheirright,LordvonVolgenwasstabbingatthemwithhislongsword.

DominictwistedasideandgashedvonVolgenwithhisbrokensword,butthewounddidn'tslowthecorpseintheslightest,anditslashedathimagain.

212

Felixparried theblowandkickedvonVolgenback, thenbulled intoDominic togethimoutof thepathofLeffler'stwo-hander.

"Staybehindme,"heshouted.

Felix chopped Tauber's head off as the zombies crowded in, then smashed the heavy two-handedswordfromthesergeant'shandsandranhimthroughtheneck.

ThatleftonlyvonVolgen.Thecorpseofthelordlurchedtowardshim,butasFelixraisedKaraghultohackatit,itsswordarmdropped,asadexpressiononitsface.

Felix faltered, but instinct carried the blowandhe cut vonVolgen's head fromhis body.His hearthammeredasthecorpsefell.Ithadseemedasifthezombiehadalloweditselftobekilled,almostasifithadbeenbeggingforit.Butthatwasn'tpossible,wasit?HadsomeportionofvonVolgen'ssoulremainedtrappedinitsundeadcage?

Amovementbroughthisheadaroundandbanishedthethought.Dominicwasstaggeringonceagaintowards thebattlebetweenGotrekandKrell,andtryingtoraisehisbrokenswordwithhisbatteredarm.Felixsteppedafterhim.

"Mylord,"hesaid,"leaveittotheSlayer."

Theyounglordwavedhimback."Imustdosomething!Imusthavesomepartin--"

Hestoppedashefoundhimselffacetofacewithhismotherandfather.ThecorpseswerewrithingintheirthronesandFelixsawthattheyhadbeentiedthere.

Theystrainedagainsttheropes,snappingatFelixandtheirsonwithmindlesshunger.

Dominicstaredatthem,thenchokedbackasob."ThisiswhatImustdo.ImustdoastheSlayerdid,andfreethemashefreedhisfriend."Theboythrewasidehisbrokenbladeandinsteaddrewfromitsscabbardtheswordstrappedtohisfather'sside.Thecorpsetriedtoclawathim,buttheropehelditanditcouldn'treach.

AgedbyKemmler'sdeathmagic,thebladewasspottedwithrust,butstillwholeenoughtodothejob.

Dominicraiseditoverhishead,thenfacedthegrafinwithtearsinhiseyes.

"GotoSigmar,mother,"hesaid,thenswepthershrivelledheadfromherneck.

Shemadenonoiseasshedied,butbehindhiswallofwights,Kemmlerscreamedasiftheswordhadstruckhim.

"Foolishboy!You'reruiningit!"

HiscryofrageturnedintoashriekofpainasMaxandMagisterMarhalt'sspellslancedthroughhislost concentration, but almost instantly, his shadows billowed forth again, growing stronger thanbefore.

"Spoiler!"heshrieked."Vandal!"

"Finish it, my lord!" shouted Felix, stepping between the boy and the expanding darkness. "Strikewhileyoucan!"

Dominicraisedhisswordoverhisfather."GotoSigmar,father."Againhestrucktrue,andthegraf'sheadtumbledoffhisshoulders.

Kemmler howled, andwith a silent thunderclap the boiling ball of darkness around him explodedoutwardsinalldirections,andhisenervatingpowerblastedFelixandDominicandtheotherlivingmentotheirknees.

213

All theweaknessthatMax'ssphereofprotectionhadmomentarilymitigatedreturnedagaintenfold.Felix's limbs would not support his weight. His heart beat so fast he felt it might explode, but itseemed to be pumping bile, not blood. His head swam and his vision blackened at the corners.Dominicdroppedhisfather'ssword.

MaxandFatherMarwaltandMagisterMarhaltwere thesame,armsshakingandstrugglingtorise.The knights who had been fighting the wights had collapsed too, and the ancient warriors werechopping them topieces.Andat thedoor, theblack lineof charcoalwasgreying and the zombieswerebeginningtopushthroughit.

EvenGotrekseemedtohavebeenstrickenbythespell.HestaggeredbackfromKrellasifonhislastlegs,historsoamassofbruisesandhisruneaxehangingheavyinhishands.Theundeadchampionhowled in triumph and strode after him, raising his black axe for a savage blow.But as it swungdown, trailing its choking cloud, Gotrek jolted forwards and chopped hard at the haft of it, thentwistedsavagelyandup.

Krellbellowedinsurpriseastheblackaxeflewfromhisgauntletedgripandspunuptotheceilingtobiteintooneofthegreathall'sgildedbeams.Itstuckthere,quivering,twentyfeetoverhishead.

Gotreklaughedandsprang,slashingforhislegs,asthetoweringwightstumbledback.

"Twothousandyearsofgrudges,"growledtheSlayer,"crossedoutinasinglestroke!"

Gotrek hacked at the undead champion's exposed leg bone and chopped through it like drywood.Krelltoppledtothefloorinadeafeningcrash,andtheSlayerstraddledhim,swingingdownwithhisruneaxeblazingred.

"No!"criedKemmler,fromthedais,andbeganincantinganewspell.

Therewasnostoppingtheaxe'sdeadlytrajectory.Itcleavedthroughthechampion'sbreastplateandburieditselfinhisribcage.Krellstruggledtorise,butGotrekkickedhimintheteethandwrenchedhisaxefree,grinningwildly.

"Asinglestroke,butcher!"

He raised the rune axe over his head for the final blow to the neck, but on the dais behind him,Kemmler thrust forwardswithhis staff and the skull that topped it opened itsmouth, pukingout astreamofroilingblackenergy.

Gotrekgruntedandwentrigidas thedarknessstruckhimintheback,hisgrin turningintoarictusgrimaceaseverymuscleinhisbodytensed.Felixstared.ItwasararethingtoseetheSlayeraffectedbymagicatall, letaloneparalysedbyit,butasshockingasthatwas,thatwasn'tall itwasdoingtohim.AsFelixwatched,thelinesintheSlayer'sfacedeepened,andhischeeksgrewgaunt.Hisbodywasgrowingleaneraswell,everydetailofhismusclesandveinsstandingoutfromhisskinasifhehadbeenflayed.

Norwas he the only one affected by the spell. The flesh of Felix's fingerswas shrinking and hisknucklebonespokedthroughhistighteningskinliketentpoles.

Maxandthetwinswerethesame.Max'ssilverhairwasturningwhiteattheroots,andthemagisterandthefatherwereageingbeforeFelix'seyes,theirspellsandinvocationsweakeningandflickeringout.Kemmler'switheringblastwaspressing themall into thegrave--ahand like thatof time itself,crushingthemwiththeweight214

ofyears--whilemoreandmorezombiesbrokethroughMarwalt'swardandshuffledintotheroom.

TheSlayer turned, inchby straining inch, as if frozen in ice, and raisedhis rune axe in a shakinghand,buthecouldn'tturnfastenough.Hewasweakeningwitheveryhalf-step.Hewouldneverbeabletoreachthenecromancerbeforethespellturnedhimintoawalkingskeleton.

Felixstruggledtohisfeet,asweakasabrokenreed,anddrewhisdagger,butasheraisedittothrowatKemmler,somethingflasheddownfromaboveandstuckinKemmler'sshoulder.

Kemmlerbarkedinsurpriseandfellback,hisstreamofblackenergyboilingawaytonothingasheturned,lookingforthesourceoftheattack.Therewasanarrowinhisshoulder,andasFelixstared,anotherflasheddownandsproutedfromthenecromancer'sleg.Hescreamedagainandfell.

Anarrow?

Felix'sheartthuddedlikeitwastryingtoescapehischest.Anarrow!

Attheoppositeendoftheroom,Gotrekbrokefreeofhisparalysisandranforthenecromancerwith

abloodcurdlinghowlof rage.Kemmler sawhimcomingand raisedhis staff ina tremblinghand,spittingoutthebeginningofanotherincantation,butbeforehecoulduttermorethanafewsyllables,theSlayerboundedontothedais,smashedhiswaythroughthenecromancer'sremainingwights,andslasheddownathimwithallhismight.

KemmlerblockedwithhisstaffandGotrek'sruneaxechoppedit intwo,sendingitsgrinningskullspinningtothesideasachorusofscreams,likethedyingofathousandsouls,shooktheroomandweird half-seen entities burst forth and vanished into the shadows. Then the axe found flesh, andKemmlerscreamedaswell,agreatstainofbloodspreadingacrosshisabdomentodarkenhisgreyrobes.

"Now,necromancer!"roaredtheSlayerasheraisedhisaxeagain."Youdieforyourdesecrations!"

ButasGotreklasheddown,mistyshadowsboiledupfromKemmler'scloakandenvelopedthembothinswirlingdarkness,andwhenitcleared,Gotrekwasalone,hisaxeburiedinthesplinteredplanksofthedais,andhisoneeyeblazingwithfrustratedfury.

"Coward!"heshoutedattheair."Defiler!"

He turnedwith a growl to where he had brought downKrell, and charged back across the roomtowardsthewight'sstill-prostrateform,butevenasheploughedthroughtherottingrubbisharoundtheReiklandthrones,shadowsformedaroundthefallenchampionandbythetimetheSlayerreachedhimhewasgoneaswell--evenhisaxehadvanishedfromtheceiling--andKemmler'svoiceechoedthroughthehall,comingfromeverywhereandnowhereatonce.

"Youhavenotdefeatedme,fools,"hehissed,"onlydelayedme.Ihaveallthetimeintheworld."

Gotrekcursedas thenecromancer'smadlaughterfadedaway,andhelashedaroundwithhisaxeatnothing.

"Cursed!"heroared."Cursed!"

215

Felix turned from him as he heard moaning and shuffling behind him, and found the horde ofzombies thatwas spilling through thedoornearly at his back.He caughtLordDominic's armandpulledhimup,andtheystaggeredbackfromthedead,raisingtheirswords together.Gotrekfell inbeside them, still gruntingangrily, andMaxandFatherMarwalt andMagisterMarhalt rosebehindthem,corpse-thinandshakingfromKemmler'swithering,butpreparingspellsnonetheless.

Butas thezombies shuffled towards them, rustyweapons raisedandclawsoutstretched, their stepsbegantofalter,andtheirarmstodroop.Abigonein theapronofabutcher trippedandfellonitsface.Awomanintheremainsofarichdresslostanarm,thenherlowerjaw,thencollapsedentirely,herskinputrefyingbeforetheireyes.Thecorpseofabeastmancrasheddown,takingseveralsmallerzombies with him. Some of the others struggled gamely on, but they didn't last long. They weredroppinglikeflies--theonesoutsideintheentryhalltoo.FinallythelastofthemcrashedtoitskneesinfrontofFelix,itsclawedfingersscratchingfeeblyacrossthetoeofhisbootbeforestillingforever.

"Kemmlerisgone,"whisperedFatherMarwalt,droppingintoabrokenchair.

"Andhisinfluencegoeswithhim,"saidMagisterMarhalt,saggingtothefloor.

"Itisover."

"Fornow,"saidMax,lettinghishandsfalltohissides."Howlongbeforehecomesagain?"

Nobody had an answer for him. The twins just shivered where they slumped, while DominicReiklander staggered to kneel before the headless corpses of his mother and father, and Gotrekcleanedhisaxe.

Felixcouldnotyetrest.Hishopewouldn't lethim.HelookedtothedaiswhereKemmlerhadbeenstruckbythearrows,thenturned,tryingtofigureoutwheretheshaftshadcomefrom.Somewherehighup.TheyhadshotdownatKemmler.There.

Themusicians'galleryabovethedais.Hestumbledtowardsit,hisheartbeginningtopound.

"Kat!"hecalled."Kat,wasityou?"

Therewasnoanswer.

"Kat?"

Stillnothing.

Therewasadoorinthewallbelowthegallery.Hethrewitopen.Itwasawatercloset.Hecursedandstartedforthedoortothecorridor,stumblingoverthemoundsofrottingcorpsesthatchokedit.Thedoortothegallerymustbeonthefloorabove.

He limpeddown thehall to thestairs, feelingas frail and lightasabird skeleton fromKemmler'swithering.

Thestairswerealmosttoomuchforhim,buthecrawledupthematlast,thenmadehiswaydownthecorridor.Therewasasmalldoorontheleft-handwall.Hestumbledtoitandpulledontheknob.Itwaslocked.Hepoundedonthepanel,desperatenow.

"Kat!Kat,areyouinthere?"

Nothing.Heyankedatthedoor,thenkickedit,butitwasuseless.Hewastooweak.Hecouldn'tbudgeit.Hecouldn'tbreakit.Asobescapedhim.

"Standaside,manling,"saidGotrek.

216

Felixlookedup.Hehadn'theardtheSlayerapproach,hadn'tknownhehadfollowedhim.

Gotrekchoppedatthedoorwithhisaxe,knockingagreatholeinthepanel,thenreachedthroughand

turnedthelatchfromtheinside.Hepulleditopenandstoodaside."Goon,manling,"hesaid.

217

TWENTY-SIX

Felixhesitatedonthethreshold,almostafraidtogoonnowthatthewaywasclear.

Whatifshewasn'tthere?Oritwasn'ther?Or...

Heswallowedandsteppedthroughintothenarrow,curtainedbalcony.Atfirsthecouldseenothingbutthesilhouettesofchairsandstoolssetinroughrows,andthepalelitterofsheetmusicscatteredonthefloor.Butthenintheleeofthebalustrade,hesawasmallform,slumpedandstill.

"Kat!"hecried,stumblingthroughthechairs.

Shelayonherback,eyesclosed,herbowinherhandsandanarrownockedonthestring,butsothinFelixdidn'tknowhowshe'dhadthestrengthtodrawit.Herface,alreadygauntwhenlasthe'dseenher,wasasunkenskull,herskinstretchedacrossthebonesdrumhead-tight.

Heputahandonhershoulder."Kat,"hewhispered.

"Doyoulive?"

Shedidn'trespond,didn'tevenseemtobreathe.Thearrowslippedfromthestringandclatteredtothefloor.PanicthuddedagaininFelix'schest.

"Kat,hangon."

Hereacheddownandgothisarmsunderherandlifted.Shewassolightthat,evenweakashewas,hecouldstandwithherinhisarms.Hestaggeredbacktothedoorandoutintothehall.

"Gotrek,bringtheShallyans!"hecried."Bringfood!"

"BringhertoMax,manling,"saidGotrek."TheShallyanswillcomewhenweopenthegate."

Felixnoddedandstarteddownstairs, rushingso fast that twicehe tripped,andwouldhave fallen ifGotrekhadn'tsteadiedhim.

"Max,"calledFelix,ashecarriedKatintothegreathall."Helpher.Lookather."Maxandthetwinslookedup,thenmaderoomasFelixlaidKatdownbesidethemonthefloor.

"Thisisthearcher,then?"askedMax,kneeling."Whoturnedthetideandsavedusall?"HelookedupatFelix."Youknowher?"

Felixnodded,histhroattightening."She--sheis--"

Maxnodded."Ah.Isee."HesmiledsadlyashelookedKatupanddown.

"You'vealwayslikedthebraveones,haven'tyou,Felix?"FatherMarwaltputhisrighthandoverKat'sheartandhisleftonherforehead,thenclosedhiseyes.Felixheldhisbreath.Maxseemedtoaswell.GotreksteppedtoFelix'sshoulderandcrossedhisarms,glaringatKatasiftryingtoshameherintosurviving.

218

Afteralongmoment,FatherMarwaltsatbackonhisknees."SheisnotMorr'sconcern,"hesaid."Shestandsonthethreshold,butshehasnotyetpassedthroughhisportal."

Felixchokedoutasobofrelief,andthetearshehadheldbackuntilnowstreameddownhischeeks.Whatafool!Tocryatgoodnews.Whatwasthematterwithhim?

Maxputahandonhisshoulder,andFelixnoddedhisthanks,thenlookedaroundforGotrek.

TheSlayerwaswalkingtowardsthedoortothecorridor.

"Comeon,manling,"heraspedoverhisshoulder."Ittakesfourhandstoopenthegates."

Though of course relieved that he hadn't had to lose anymen fighting againstKemmler's undeadarmy,GeneralvonUhlandseemedalmostletdownthattheinfiltratorshaddoneitallthemselvesandhadn't given him a battle. All the zombies and wights in the castle had dropped dead with thenecromancer's retreat, and the ghouls had fled.Therewas nohorde left to fight, and the general'stroopswerefacedwiththemuchlessglamorous,butjustasnecessary,challengeofdisposingoftenthousandmoulderingcorpsesbeforetheydiseasedthewholeregion.

Snorri,too,waslessthanpleasedtohavemissedtheclimacticbattle,andhewasstillmutteringaboutit late that afternoon, ashe andGotrek satoneither sideofFelix's bed in the room in thekeep inwhichthegeneral'ssurgeonhadputhim.

"Snorriblameshimself,"saidSnorri,scowling."Hehasn'tbeenthatdrunkinalongtime."

Gotreksaidnothing,andseemedtobehavingtroublemeetinghisoldfriend'seye.

"Snorrihasneverhadmanlingbeer thathadsuchakickeither,"Snorri continued, lickinghis lips."Hewonderswhomakesit."

Therewasanothersilence,andthenGotrekgruntedangrily.

"Iamtoblame,SnorriNosebiter,"hesaid,forcingthewordsoutasiftheywereheavystones."Ihadyoudrugged,soyouwouldsleep."Snorriraisedaneyebrow.Itmadehimlooklikeaconfuseddog."Snorridoesn'tunderstand."

FelixsawGotrekclenchinghisjawandballinghisfist,andcutintosavehim.

"Youcan'tfindyourdoomuntilyougetyourmemoryback,Snorri,"hesaidpatiently."Andweknewyouwouldforgetandwanttocomewithus."Snorriblinkedathim,stillseeminglylost,thenloweredhishead."Yes,"hesaid.

"Snorriforgot.Snorrialwaysforgets."

Therewas anuncomfortable silence after that, andnoneof themseemed toknowhow tobreak it.Fortunately,itwasbrokenforthemwhenMaxenteredtheroom,walkingwiththeaidofastaff.

"Areyouabletostand?"heaskedFelix.

Felixnodded."Ithinkso."

"Thencomewithme."

219

With Gotrek's help, Felix levered himself out of the bed and tottered unsteadily afterMax as theslayers followedbehind.He still felt like hewasmadeofmatchsticks and spit, and hewas still asgauntasoneofKemmler'sghouls,butfoodanddrinkandthehealingspellsandprayersofMaxandtheShallyanSisterhadforthemostpartbanishedthedizzinessandnausea.Gotrekonlyhadtocatchhimonceonthewaydownthehall.

Inside another room, the Sister hovered over another bed, but as Felix and Max and the slayersapproached,shesteppedback.

Lyingonthebed, lookingscrubbedandunfamiliar inacleanwhitenightshirtandherhaircombedbackfromherskeletalface,wasKat.Hereyeswereclosedandherwitheredhandswerefoldedoverher chest, and for a terrible moment Felix thought Max had brought him to her to pay his lastrespects,butthen,ashestumbledtothesideofthebed,sheopenedhereyesandlookedupathim--andsmiled.

"Hello,Felix,"shesaidinvoicelikethememoryofawhisper.

Felixeasedhimselfdownbesideher."Kat,"hesaid."It--it'sgoodtoseeyou."Shereachedoutandhetookherhand.Herfingersweretrembling,andterriblythin.

"Iknewyouwouldcomeback,"shesaid."Iknewit."

Hefrowned."Howdidyousurvive?"heasked."HowdidyoustayaliveforsolongwithKemmler'sdeadallaround?"

Herfacecrinkledintoagrin."Reiklander'ssecretcloset,"shesaid."Ihidmyself insideandwaited.ThenIheardfighting,andknewitwasyou."Felixclosedhiseyes,imaginingKatlyinginthedarkfortwolongdaysandnights,notknowingifshewouldeverbesaved,andprayingthezombieswouldn'tfindherfirst.

Heleaneddownandkissedher."I'mjustgladwewerehereintime."Therewasapolitecough.Felixlookedup.Everyonewasverybusylookingsomewhereelse,buttheSisterwassmilingdownatthem.

"Sheshouldrest,meinherr,"shesaid."Ionlycalledforyoubecausesheinsisted."

FelixnoddedandturnedbacktoKat."Iwillvisityouwheneveryouwish,"hesaid.

"I'll be up and about soon," she said. "I'm feeling better already." Felix swallowed at that. Feelingbetter thanwhenhehadfoundherwasn'tmuch tocrowabout,andshestill lookedmoredead thanalive.

"Good,"hesaid."ThenI'llseeyousoon."

Shenoddedandclosedhereyesagainandhestood,thenlimpedtotheSisterofShallyaanddrewherintothehall.

"Sister,"hemurmured."Willshelive?"

The sister looked at him, thenpursedher lips. "I don't know," she said. "Shehas comeas close tostarvingasispossiblewithoutsuccumbing.Andyouhavebothbeensubjecttotheenervationofthenecromancer's spells.Neither ofyoumay recoveryour full strength."She shrugged. "At least youwereboth invigoroushealthat the start.Perhaps thatwill count inyour favour.RestandShallya'sblessingarewhatisneedednow,lotsofrest."

220

Felixnodded,distracted,as thesisterbowedandstarteddownthehall.He lookedback through thedoor atKat, chewinghis lip.What if the twoof themwere enfeebled like this for the restof theirlives?Itmightnotbesobadforhim.Afterallhisyearsontheroad,afterallthefightingandrunningandchasing,itwouldn'tbesobadtolivequietly,toreadandwriteandthinkforatime.ButforKat?Shewasachildoftheforest,ahunter.Whatwouldshedoifshecouldn'tsurviveinthewildonherown?Whatifshewerehouseboundorbed-boundfortherestofherlife?Itwouldkillher.Shewouldsickenanddie,likeawolfincaptivity.

Heclosedhiseyes.Ifthatwasherfate,itmightalmosthavebeenbetterthatshehaddied.

"Iamnodoctor,"murmuredMax,steppingthoughthedoortojoinhim,"butmyadviceis,thatwhilerestisindeedwhatisneedednow,inthelongrun,youwouldbothdobettertogowhereGotrekgoes,despitethedangers."Felixlookedupathim."Iamboundtoanyway,"hesaid."ButKattoo?Whydoyousaythat?"

Maxnodded atGotrek,whowas followinghim into the hallwithSnorri. "Imentionedbefore thatsome of your unusual vitality seemed attributable to your remaining near Gotrek all these years.Whatever thecauseof it, it seems thatyourassociationwithhimhaskeptyouhealthyandmendedwoundsthatshouldhavebeentheendofyouradventuring."HelookedtowardsKat,sleepinginherbed."IcannotsayifthisstrangeinfluencewouldworkonKataswell,butitcertainlycouldn'thurt,"hesaid,smiling."Also,Idon'tthinkyoucouldkeepherfromfollowingevenifyouchainedhertoherbed."

AglimmerofhopestirredinFelix'sheart.Hehadn'tbeensurehebelievedMax'stheoriesabouthishealthwhenthemagisterhadfirstsharedthemwithhim,andhestillwasn'tnow,butifitwastrue!ItcouldbethesavingofKat.Itmightmakeherwellagain!

"Soundslikerubbishtome,"Gotrekgrunted."Butnooneevergotstronglyinginbed.Shecancomeifshewants."

MaxsmiledatGotrek."Excellent.Andwheredoyougonow,Slayer?Whatunspeakableabominationdoyou intend to throwyourselfatnext?"Felix lookedat theSlayer,ascuriousasMaxwas.Theirmost recent journeyhadbegunwhentheyhadgonenorth tofight thebeastmenat thebehestofSirTeobalt of the Order of the Fiery Heart, and they had become caught in the web of Kemmler'sschemesafterthat,butnow,asfarasheknew,Gotrekhadnogoalotherthanhisperennialquesttofindhisdoom,andthatmightleadhimanywhere.

ButasFelixwaitedfortheSlayertospeak,hesawhimslidehisoneeyetowardsSnorri,andsuddenlyheknewtheanswer.

"Wego,"Felixsaid, turningbacktoMax,"toKarakKadrin, toaccompanySnorriNosebiteronhispilgrimagetotheShrineofGrimnir."221

ABOUTTHEAUTHORNathanLongwasastrugglingscreenwriterforfifteenyears,duringwhichtimehehadthreemoviesmadeandahandfuloflive-actionandanimatedTVepisodesproduced.Nowheisanovelist,andisenjoying it much more. For Black Library he has written threeWarhammer novels featuring theBlackhearts, and has taken over the Gotrek and Felix series, starting with the eighth installment,Orcslayer.HelivesinHollywood.

ScanningbyAnakwanarSek,

proofingbyRedDwarf,

formattingandadditional

proofingbyUndead.

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