Gotrek & Felix- the Second Omnibus - William King

by Warhammer

  ‘I would have thought your kind would gladly do anything to aid the victory of the Dark Lords of Chaos. Are you not their spawn?’

  ‘We are not the creations of the daemon gods any more than you are, and they love us no more than they do you. They require only souls and slaves. Some of the Arisen have served them in the past, but then so have many of your kind. We have learned from the mistakes of those who thought they could somehow get the Lords of Darkness to serve their ends better than your sort.’

  And there was some truth in that too, Felix guessed, at least the part about many humans having given their souls up to the evil ones. The countess leaned forward and gazed at him intently. So swift was her movement that Felix backed away, startled.

  ‘Look, Herr Jaeger, it is really very simple. Either you believe me or you don’t. Either you trust me or you don’t. I am the one who has taken all of the risks here. There are those of my own kind who would see my existence ended if they learned what I have told you here. You could tell your friends what I am and they would doubtless help you destroy me. I suspect they have the power. Herr Schreiber is a most powerful wizard and in all my long existence I don’t think I have ever seen a weapon more powerful than Gotrek Gurnisson’s axe.’

  ‘I could, if you let me leave here alive.’

  ‘You can go now if you wish. I will not stop you.’

  Felix almost rose but he was reluctant to put her words to the test. After all, they were exactly what she would say if she wished to take him off guard. He would be at his most vulnerable trying to open the door, with his back partially turned to her. Maybe he could call for help now but her apartments were a long way from the others, and the walls were very thick. With the wind gusting loudly outside perhaps no one would ever hear him.

  He spoke again, as much to buy himself some time to think as because he was interested in the answer.

  ‘When I listen to you I sense something personal in your animosity towards Krieger. What is the real reason you want us to go against him?’

  To his surprise she laughed. ‘I had not thought I was so transparent. I have grown so accustomed to reading mortals that I have ceased to believe that they might be able to see through me.’

  Somehow, Felix doubted this. He was beginning to believe that this ancient immortal never did anything without a reason, that all of her acts were the result of long deliberation, and that if she had given something away it was because she wanted him to see it. He decided that it would be better to keep such thoughts to himself. Instead he said, ‘You have not answered my question.’

  The silence was long and at first Felix thought he had misjudged the situation and that she was not going to answer.

  ‘Krieger is my creation. My child if you like. I made him what he is today, to my lasting sorrow. In a way, he is my responsibility. He would have been dead centuries ago had I not intervened in his life, and we would not have to worry about any of the things he is doing now.’

  ‘What do you want from me?’

  ‘I want you to help me with your companions. I do not want to have to fight with them while I struggle with Krieger.’

  Felix rose from the chair and headed for the door. She made no move to stop him. He saw the key was still in the lock. ‘I will think on what you have said,’ he said as he opened the door.

  ‘Do not think too long, Herr Jaeger. The hour is getting very late.’

  As Felix made his way back to his room, he was troubled as well as frightened. He felt as if he had had a narrow escape. And what was he to do with the information she had given him, and about the request she had made?

  Surely she must see she had placed him in an impossible position. Max Schreiber might accept what she was and ally with her, but he did not think Gotrek and Snorri Nosebiter would. He could imagine the Slayers’ response to the fact there was a bloodsucker in their midst. They would attack first and think later. Ivan Petrovich Straghov and his men were no more likely to accept the vampire than the dwarfs. They were from the marches of Kislev, which did not breed men who would compromise with the darkness.

  Whatever she was, the countess was intelligent. She must already know all this. What did she hope to gain? Turning things over in his mind, he could not uncover anything. Just because he could not see any advantage for her, did not mean there was not one there.

  It was only after all these thoughts passed through his mind that Felix realised that he had in part accepted her case. He was not going to go rushing to the Slayers and inform them about her, at least not until after he had considered all the implications. Still, he realised he needed to talk to somebody.

  ‘The countess is what?’ exclaimed Max Schreiber.

  ‘Keep it down,’ said Felix. ‘I don’t want the whole tavern to know.’

  An aura of fire played around the wizard’s hand and Felix saw that Max was seriously considering storming off to the countess’s room. Under the circumstances, it was the last thing Felix wanted. A confrontation between a powerful sorcerer and a vampire might leave the whole inn in ruins. He was starting to regret telling the wizard all that the countess had shared with him.

  ‘I can’t believe you are just standing there, Felix. There is one of those monsters in this house, and you do nothing.’

  ‘I’m talking to you, aren’t I?’

  ‘I would have thought gathering a mob and storming her room would be more appropriate.’

  ‘You are the last person I would expect to hear talking that way, Max. A wizard should have some sympathy. After all it was not that long ago when people felt the same way about your kind.’

  ‘I think I resent that, Felix. I don’t see any connection between mortal sorcerers and undead mass murderers.’

  Felix shrugged. It had been an undiplomatic thing to say but he was still shocked by Max’s response. The wizard normally showed more self-control. Perhaps the strain of the past few weeks was telling more than he let show. Felix wanted to respond hotly to Max’s words himself but someone here needed to keep calm, and it looked like he was the one chosen by circumstances. ‘I am sorry I said it then, Max, but think about it. What if she is telling the truth? She might be our best ally against Krieger.’

  Suddenly Felix felt a chill run through him. Max stared hard at him and he looked as if he was contemplating violence. It was all Felix could do to keep from drawing his sword. ‘Has she enchanted you?’ the wizard murmured. ‘Are you bound to her will?’

  Felix flinched as Max gestured with his hand. A trail of glowing fire followed the wizard’s fingers as he sketched an intricate symbol in the air. It hung there glowing. Felix shut his eyes but the after-image of the rune seemed burned onto his retina. He was tempted to lash out at the magician but he wanted an answer to the wizard’s question too. He did not feel as if he had been put under a spell, but how would he know? Perhaps the binding prevented those who had been bound from noticing it.

  After a few seconds he heard Max exhale softly. He opened his eyes. The wizard looked calmer. There was a thoughtful look in his eye. ‘There are no persistent enchantments on you that I can detect.’

  ‘You would know about such things better than I,’ said Felix. Max walked over to his bed and slumped down on it. His roomer was smaller and meaner than the countess’s. Felix sat down in the only chair.

  ‘What are we going to do about her?’

  ‘If you are really seriously considering accepting her aid, I don’t think telling Gotrek about this is such a good idea,’ said Max.

  ‘That thought has already crossed my mind,’ said Felix. ‘I don’t feel good about it but right now I think our first concern should be rescuing Ulrika. And preventing whatever Krieger is up to.’

  More of the tension drained out of Max. ‘I agree. The question is, can we trust the countess? What if she simply desires the Eye for herself? She could be just as bad as she claims Krieger will be if she has it.’

  ‘I know. I think it would be best if we ensure she does not get it. I think i
t would be advisable to trust her no further than necessary, and if one of us keeps a wary eye on her at all times.’

  ‘You seemed to be doing a bit more than that already.’

  ‘She’s a fascinating… woman.’

  ‘It might be best if you stopped thinking of her as that.’

  ‘Believe me I already have. Just being in the same room as her made my flesh crawl.’

  ‘I have heard that some men enjoy the company of the undying. There are rumours about Detlef Sierck for instance.’

  ‘Some men might, but I am not one of them. I don’t like the idea of anyone looking at me like I might be their next meal.’

  ‘Glad to hear it. What about the knights? Our impetuous friend Rodrik and his companions?’

  ‘We should assume they are completely under her spell.’

  ‘It seems she was very forthright with you.’

  ‘It seems that way but she has travelled with us for a few days. Do you think it’s possible that a few of our companions might have been ensnared?’

  ‘It’s possible. I will check on the morrow.’

  ‘Discreetly.’

  ‘Yes.’

  Talking in hushed voices they spent several hours discussing their plans. In both their minds the possibility of treachery was foremost.

  BOOK THREE

  THE VAMPIRE’S LAIR

  ‘And so, almost inevitably, our path led us to Drakenhof Castle, a place steeped in legends of horror. Unfortunately I am in a position to confirm that the old tales were in no way exaggerated. If anything, they do not go far enough. It is not my intention to disturb the dreams of my readers, or to engender nightmares, but honesty, and the need to set down a true chronicle of the events of the Slayer’s career, forces me to set such things to paper. Readers of a sensitive disposition may wish to stop at this point. Those who continue cannot say they have not been warned.’

  — From My Travels With Gotrek, Vol IV, by Herr Felix Jaeger

  (Altdorf Press, 2505)

  NINE

  ‘You seem very thoughtful today, manling,’ growled Gotrek.

  Felix flicked the reins and goaded the ponies into movement, then turned and looked at the Slayer. The Kislevites as always rode ahead of them. The Countess Gabriella and her escort followed behind in their coach. He could hear Rodrik talking loudly about how this part of the wood looked like a good place to hunt for beastmen when spring came. To Felix, it looked like a good place for beastmen to hunt them right now.

  ‘I have a lot on my mind,’ he said. He wondered whether in spite of everything he should tell the Slayer about the countess’s revelations of the previous evening. After all, if she did prove to be treacherous, Gotrek deserved some warning. Felix felt he deserved at least this. He and the dwarf had been companions on many a desperate adventure and the dwarf had saved his life more times than he cared to count. Keeping this a secret from him felt wrong. For all he knew, the countess could just be a very persuasive liar, leading them all into a trap.

  ‘I do not trust those Sylvanians,’ Felix said eventually.

  ‘You seem to be getting on well enough with the Countess Gabriella,’ said the Slayer. He sounded amused.

  ‘She is part of the problem.’

  The Slayer looked at him quizzically. He seemed to be in unusually good spirits today, despite having consumed a great deal of ale the previous evening. Perhaps the prospect of facing Krieger and achieving his long awaited doom was cheering him. With dwarfs it was difficult to tell. ‘Go on?’

  ‘I am not sure I can.’ The Slayer’s grin widened.

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘It is a matter of trust. I have given my word on it.’ The dwarf looked more serious now. His people took oaths very seriously. ‘I will not pry then,’ he said.

  Felix was disappointed. He had been half-hoping the dwarf would ask some questions. He glanced at the path, studying their way forward through the snow-covered land. The path wound through a wood that was becoming progressively darker and gloomier with every pace they took forward. He did not like the look of the place at all.

  ‘If it makes you feel any better, manling, I too have my suspicions about our chance-met companions.’

  Felix felt a thrill of fear pass through him. Had the Slayer discovered the countess’s secret all on his own? Felix knew that despite his brutish appearance Gotrek was far from stupid. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked.

  ‘I do not think they are quite what they seem.’ Felix wondered exactly what the Slayer was getting at. He could not know the whole truth already, otherwise he would have already charged the countess’s coach, axe held high. Felix thought he had better take some action.

  ‘Do you trust my judgement?’ he asked suddenly.

  The Slayer regarded him for a long moment. Looking into his single mad eye, Felix was reminded of just how alien Gotrek’s race was. They looked human enough but they were not. They were a product of a different culture, and a different upbringing, children of different gods.

  ‘Yes,’ said the Slayer eventually.

  ‘I know a secret concerning the countess which is very dangerous, and which may give you cause to distrust her. Will you promise me not to attack her or harm her in any way until after we have freed Ulrika or slain Krieger?’

  Felix could see he had piqued the dwarf’s curiosity now. The Slayer remained silent for a long time considering. Felix wondered if he had misjudged the situation and Gotrek was going to go and try and beat Gabriella’s secret from her right now. Perhaps he was simply looking at things from all angles. He knew dwarfs took oaths and promises very seriously, and did not give them lightly.

  ‘You’ve picked an interesting deadline, manling,’ said Gotrek eventually. Felix realised he had. It appeared that, no matter how persuasive the countess’s arguments had been, he was not prepared to trust her in the long term.

  ‘Will you take it?’

  ‘Providing she does not attempt to harm any of us, yes,’ Gotrek said eventually. The words came out reluctantly, as if against his better judgement. Felix felt quite proud of the fact that the Slayer was prepared to trust him so much. It made telling him the whole story a lot easier.

  As he spoke, he thought Gotrek was going to explode. It was plain from his manner that the Slayer was very unhappy with the thought of having one of the undying within striking distance and not being able to do anything about. Swiftly Felix went on to explain the reasons why they should accept her aid at least until Ulrika was free. Gotrek glared at him as if he had been tricked. At any moment, Felix half expected the Slayer to throw himself from the supply sledge and rush over to the coach, but he did not. He merely favoured it with a sullen glower. Felix could see his knuckles were tight around the shaft of his axe.

  ‘I like this not, manling,’ he said.

  ‘But you will leave her alone. For the moment.’

  ‘An oath is an oath.’

  The Slayer’s words sent a short spasm of guilt through Felix. He did not feel good about giving the countess’s secret to the Slayer. He told himself that he was being ridiculous. He owed the vampire nothing. She was a monster who fed on the blood of innocent men and women. Despite his guilt, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. At least the Slayer was aware of what was going on, and would be on guard.

  If the countess planned treachery, she would find herself on the receiving end of the axe she feared so very much. It was not much of a reassurance but at the moment it was the only one he had.

  ‘Who else knows about this?’ growled Gotrek.

  ‘Only Max.’

  ‘It would probably be best to avoid mentioning this to Snorri Nosebiter.’ The Slayer sounded almost embarrassed.

  Felix could not help but agree.

  The forest became quieter and emptier as they progressed, the trees more twisted and stunted. Max glanced behind him constantly, seeking to keep his eye on the coach of the countess. He certainly did not trust her, even as much as Felix. He had held the Eye of
Khemri and felt its power. He knew that it would be as useful to one vampire as another, and no matter what she claimed, he could not bring himself to believe her motives were entirely altruistic.

  He sensed a change in the nature of the forest. The place was tainted in a very subtle way. He felt vaguely nauseous, as he sometimes did in the presence of Chaos. He was beginning to think that the tales of this land being corrupted by the warpstone starfall of 1111 were not far from the truth.

  More than that though, he sensed the winds of dark magic in this place were strangely altered, almost like the way they had been channelled when the Chaos horde attacked Praag, although not so strong. Not yet anyway. He wondered if all these events were somehow connected. It seemed that the flow of dark magic at the present moment was rather too malleable to the will of evil mages. Perhaps the Lords of Chaos were putting forth their power to aid their supporters. Max shivered and not with the cold.

  He opened his magesight and saw nothing surrounding the coach. At least the countess was not working any magic that he could detect, and that meant she was most likely casting no spells. Max was a sufficiently competent sorcerer to spot it if she was. Not even a master mage could conceal his spellcraft from Max now.

  He reviewed the plan he and Felix had come up with the previous evening. Even if the vampire countess was what she claimed, it was best to ensure the Eye of Khemri did not fall into her hands. If possible, Felix was to take it. Max was reluctant to do so. Felix was not a mage and the thing was unlikely to be able to affect him as much as it would Max. Even if it did, his lack of magical ability would ensure he could work no harm.

  Max tried to recall everything he could about the Eye from his brief contact with its secret heart. It certainly seemed possible that wondrously complex cluster of spells at its core could do what the countess claimed. There definitely had been spells of amplification and compulsion in there, of a most unusual kind. They had not seemed to be aimed at binding anything human either.