Slaves to Darkness 02 (The Blades of Chaos)

by Warhammer

  The room beyond was filled with piles of chests, and on the walls hung helms, shields, axes and hammers, studded with gems, shining with polished gilding. The whole room glittered with precious metals and jewels in the light of dozens of flickering lanterns. An archway led off from the far side of the chamber, and Grundab led them through the first storeroom.

  'These are good for showing,' said the thane, waving a stubby hand at the suits of armour and weapons hung on the wall. 'In truth, they are not best. Apprentice work mostly, no runes.'

  He led them into the next room, which was filled with crowns, sceptres, statues, masks and other royal ornaments. Ursula laughed and pointed at a golden pickaxe.

  'That is the symbol of Grungni carried by his priest Thurbin three hundred years ago,' said Grundab. 'If you want something from time of Sigmar, we must go further back.'

  'How far do they go?' asked Ruprecht, gazing at the treasures that were laid out before them.

  'There are thirty rooms,' said Grundab.

  Lady Halste cursed inwardly. She had got the thane drunk with drugged ale three nights ago, and persuaded him to confide that Ulfshard was somewhere in the treasury. He had admitted that the dwarfs weren't exactly sure where it was though. If the elves ever made recompense for it, the dwarfs would find it for them, he had said. It would take her an eternity to find what she was looking for amongst all the other treasure.

  'We go to the eleventh room,' said Grundab, waving them onward.

  As they passed through chamber after treasure-filled chamber, Lady Halste could feel the slow build up of magical energy. Hammers carved with runes, and suits of armour with sigils of protection etched into them gave off pulses of magic that made her skin shiver. The rune magic felt cold to her, not at all like the searing heat that came from a summoned djinn, or the dull warmth of one of her potions. Locked in the patterns of the runes, the magic was cut off from the world, no longer a part of the mystical flow that emanated from the north. She wrapped her heavy woollen travelling cloak tighter about her body, though it was purely to comfort herself rather than for any true protection against the unnatural chill she felt.

  As they entered the tenth room, Halste felt something different. To their right a low doorway was cut into the wall, and a dark chamber lay beyond. She could feel a different magical breeze emanating from within.

  'What is in there?' she said, laying a hand on the thane's shoulder to stop him. He gave her a suspicious glance.

  'Elf-wrought,' he said. 'Nothing of value.'

  Halste directed her best look of disinterest at the dwarf and carried on further. Ahead, Ruprecht and Ursula were discussing a shield hung next to the archway to the eleventh chamber, embossed with the now familiar face of Grimnir, warrior ancestor-god of the dwarfs.

  'In here,' said Grundab, leading the way. Lady Halste hung back and stood just under the arch as Ursula hurried ahead.

  She watched as the dwarf opened up one of the chests. Inside were piles of necklaces, crowns and bejewelled rings and armbands.

  'What do you think?' the dwarf said, bending down and unpacking the royal treasures from the chest. He stood up, glanced with a frown around the room and then strode over to another chest and lifted the lid. It was filled with similar badges of office.

  'Perhaps this one?' said Ursula. Plucking a golden necklace that was studded with rubies from the pile. Each stone was inscribed with a tiny rune that made them burn with inner fire.'

  'Perhaps not,' said Grundab, snatching the necklace from Ursula and laying it reverentially to one side. 'That belonged to Queen Hedriga. Very important.'

  'This one?' said Ruprecht, lifting a ring between thumb and forefinger. The gold band was quite plain, and he was about to slip it on when Grundab lunged at him and snatched the ring from his hand.

  'No!' said the thane, tucking the ring into a hidden pocket. 'Very dangerous. Hidden runes.'

  Ursula sighed and cast her gaze around the room.

  'Well, what would you suggest?' she said.

  Realising that Ursula and Ruprecht were distracted by the search, Lady Halste stepped back through the archway. She hurried over to the plain doorway and ducked into the room beyond. Except for the small area of light from behind her, it was pitch black inside. Glancing back out of the door, she saw she was unobserved.

  She exerted some of her power and her right hand began to glow, illuminating the chamber. It was low and narrow but stretched ahead at least fifty yards. Along the walls, in contrast to the neat and ordered chambers of dwarf work, elven artefacts were piled haphazardly. Elegant shields, long-shafted spears, leaf-shaped blades, tall crested battle helms, silver circlets and golden rings: all were cast upon the ground in disarray and obvious contempt.

  With one last check outside, she heard Grundab still muttering and the creak of more chests being opened. Hurrying quickly between the lines of the elf hoard, Lady Halste held her arms out to either side, sensing the enchantments within the artefacts. She didn't know what she was feeling for, but hoped she would know when she found it.

  Lady Halste felt a rush of white heat from a spear to her left, and walked past. She ignored the dull pulsing of a helm to her right. She walked on through the unfolding miasma of energy surrounding her, until suddenly she felt a stabbing pain in her stomach. The light from her hand flickered and dimmed. Taking another step forward, nausea rose within her.

  She heard a rattle from ahead and to her right, and she stepped towards it. She felt something lurch inside her, making her head spin for moment, but she pushed forward. As if breaking through a barrier, she took another step and the sickness passed, the magical light from her hand disappearing altogether. It was replaced by the white magical shine from the treasure. She saw a pulsing blue glow coming from a heap of swords and shields. As Lady Halste reached out a hand, the pile began to tremble. A shield slipped off the stack, and Halste darted forward to stop it banging on the floor. Leaving it to one side, she saw what had caused it to fall.

  Grundab gave a triumphant grunt and lifted up a rough crown. It was quite plain: a broad circlet made of dull iron, with a single rune on a golden disc at its front.

  'Neat workmanship,' said Grundab, handing the crown to Ursula. 'Well, the rune. Crown forged by manlings.'

  'What is it?' asked Ursula, turning the crown in her hands and examining it.

  'Crown of Marbad,' said Grundab with a grin. 'We found it at the same time as Ulfshard.'

  Ursula and Ruprecht looked at the crown, a little underwhelmed. When King Hunkrik had agreed to listen to Ursula's final plea, he had been moved by her passionate tale of Sigmar's bond with the dwarfs, and her quest to restore that ancient alliance. She had been overjoyed when he had conceded to let them take something in lieu of Ulfshard.

  In actuality, the crown was quite a disappointment. However, Ursula did her best not to let it show and smiled at Grundab and nodded her thanks. He gave her another of his crafty winks.

  'Try it.' the dwarf said, pointing to Ruprecht.

  Ursula handed Ruprecht the crown and he gingerly placed it on his head. The rune flickered with energy. Ruprecht looked different, definitely, but Ursula couldn't quite say how.

  'What does it do?' asked Ruprecht, his voice booming, echoing down the line of rooms. He glanced around and laughed, until Ursula had to place her hands over her ears against the noise. With an apologetic look, Ruprecht removed the crown and handed it back to Ursula.

  'Rune of leadership.' said Thane Grundab. 'Course, works better on a dwarf.'

  'This will be suitable.' said Ursula with a thin smile. Grundab waved them back the way they had entered. Lady Halste was stood at the door, holding her cloak tightly with arms across her chest.

  'It is quite magnificent.' she said, nodding towards the crown. 'I am sure the count will look quite the embodiment of Marbad himself when he wears it.'

  'Are you cold, lady?' said Ursula, hurrying to the noblewoman's side. Lady Halste stepped back as Ursula reached a hand out to her.<
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  'I'm feeling a little chilly.' said Lady Halste. 'Perhaps the lack of sun and fresh air is affecting me adversely.'

  The lady brushed past Ursula into the next room, the perfume from her hair hanging in Ursula's nostrils and making her head spin for a moment. The others followed Lady Halste as she strode through the other chambers, sparing not even a glance for the wonders that were hung all around them.

  As they entered the first chamber, Ursula began to feel dizzy. She coughed, and felt bile rise in her throat. Coughing again, she found it difficult to breath. Ruprecht turned to look at her, alarm on his face.

  The crown flew from Ursula's fingers as she spasmed and clutched her throat. She fell to the floor, her spine arching. Her throat and lungs felt as if they were burning and she thrashed about, rolling to her side and vomiting. Her hands were cold, and her tongue was swelling in her mouth.

  Grundab hurried across the room, while Ruprecht knelt beside her, holding a hand to her chest.

  'She's still breathing,' said Ruprecht.

  'What is the matter?' said Lady Halste. 'We have to get her somewhere where she can lie down. Help me with her.'

  She spun away and took off her cloak, then turned back and laid it on Ursula's chest. With Ruprecht on the other side, they managed to lift her up and carry her from the chamber.

  'Take her directly to my housewagon, we will tend to her there,' said Lady Halste with a look at Thane Grundab, who had picked up the crown and was checking for damage. 'Lead the way.'

  He looked up at her, startled.

  'Of course,' he said, tucking the crown into his belt. 'Follow me.'

  By the time they had reached the hall where the travellers' wagons were kept, Ursula had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  'Get the door.' Lady Halste said, lifting Ursula away from Ruprecht with surprisingly strong arms. He reached up the steps, pushed open the door to the housewagon and stepped inside.

  Lady Halste followed him and swept past to lay Ursula on the wide, soft bed. She looked over her shoulder at Ruprecht.

  'She needs rest,' said Lady Halste. 'I will call if I need any assistance.'

  Ruprecht waited a moment, about to protest, until small creases of a frown appeared in Lady Halste's forehead. He nodded and fled. Lady Halste picked up the bundle of her travelling cloak from the chest of the unconscious Ursula and stood.

  'Thank you, my dear,' said Lady Halste, hugging the bundle close. 'I could not have succeeded without you.'

  The expedition was almost ready to leave, with everyone sitting on the driving boards of their wagons, their possessions returned and receipts checked. Ursula and Ruprecht were waiting behind Lady Halste's housewagon. It seemed as if Lady Halste had been right. A few hours' sleep and Ursula had woken refreshed and none the worse for wear. The noblewoman put it down to the recent stresses and cramped confinement and said that the dwarf halls were prone to the creation of ill vapours.

  The previous evening, the dwarfs had held a great feast in their honour, and many casks of ale had been broken open and platters of food gorged. At the culmination of the banquet, the king had presented Lady Halste with the Crown of Marbad as a parting gift.

  There had been more long speeches, exchanges of pleasantries, and many toasts made with the quaffing of ale. Ursula had left when the group had become considerably drunk, and they were beginning the singing and competitions that the dwarfs described as 'boisterous mirth'.

  The tramp of feet and clatter of horses' hooves filled the cavernous hall, making Ursula's sore head ache even more, and the murmur of the soldiers accompanied it as a background drone. The peel of a horn blast split the air, drowning out all other noise, and the great gates of Karak Norn opened again. Sunshine spilled through as the thirty feet-high stone gates cranked outwards on hidden gears, causing men and dwarfs to all shield their eyes against the unaccustomed glare. Karak Norn had not seemed a dark place but, compared to the light of day, the thousands of torches and lanterns had been dim and dismal.

  Thane Grundab held up his axe and marched forward, his dwarf warriors falling into step behind him with the crash of iron-shod boots on the stone floor. A second horn blow caused them to stop, and Ruprecht could see the thane looking back down the hall, shaking his head.

  More dwarf warriors appeared, even more heavily armoured than the caravan's escort, and Prince Thudrin strode forwards at their head. Lady Halste appeared at the door to her housewagon, a pensive look on her face as the dwarf prince approached. Ruprecht could see that Thudrin was flanked by two dwarfs - on his right was the apothecary who had tended to Ruprecht's wound, and on the left was a white-haired, ancient dwarf carrying the broad-headed staff of a runesmith.

  The three of them stopped beside Lady Halste's housewagon.

  'Yes?' said Lady Halste, stepping quickly down from her housewagon to stand in front of the prince, her hands balled on her hips. She glanced back at the door to the housewagon and then at the thane and his armed escort. 'What is it now?'

  'My regards, Lady Halste,' said Thudrin. 'I bear a gift from the king.'

  'Another gift?' said Halste, with a step back and her endearing smile. 'King Hunkrik is too kind. The crown of Marbad is reward enough for my endeavours.'

  'Not for you,' said Thudrin, pushing past Lady Halste to approach Ursula and Ruprecht. He looked up at Ruprecht, his eyes glittering under his bushy eyebrows.

  'The king is grieved that such a fine warrior bears thoughts of not fighting again,' said the prince. 'A man who stood against an orc warlord is a brave man indeed, and would be missed much in the battles against the evils of the world. The king requested that venerable Runelord Kurbad create something wondrous to ease your burden and perhaps better enable you to continue to fight heroically in defence of your companions.'

  The prince gestured to the runesmith, who stepped forward quickly, eyes darting between the prince and Ruprecht.

  'Hold this,' he muttered, handing his runestaff to Thudrin and pulling a sack from his belt. He reached in and drew forth a shining steel gauntlet, long enough to fit Ruprecht's hand and forearm.

  'It is very nice, but I'm afraid I can't use it,' said Ruprecht, bending forward to inspect the gauntlet.

  'Why not?' asked Kurbad, turning the gauntlet over in his hands, a puzzled expression on his face.

  'It's left-handed,' said Ruprecht, raising his stump.

  'It's... what?' said Kurbad, before shaking his head. 'Idiot manling!'

  The runesmith stepped forward and, holding the gauntlet in his right hand, grabbed Ruprecht's amputated arm with his left. He placed the end of the gauntlet over the stump and then pushed. Ruprecht hissed and snatched his arm away as he felt something pierce the tender flesh.

  'Ulric's teeth!' said Ruprecht, rubbing at his arm. 'I ought to...'

  He stopped as he noticed Lady Halste's wide-eyed stare towards him and heard Ursula gasp.

  'What's the matter?' he asked, and followed Ursula's gaze to the gauntlet. The fingers were balled into a fist, though Ruprecht would have sworn the gauntlet was open when the runesmith had fitted it to him.

  'The... the fingers moved,' said Ursula, leaning slightly away from the gauntlet.

  'Yes, yes, rune magic,' said Kurbad with an irritable shake of the head. 'Small, intricate, not cheap. The king likes you very much, to pay for such a thing on your behalf.'

  Ruprecht held the gauntlet in front of him and imagined opening his hand. The fingers of the gauntlet splayed open. He grinned. Then he laughed.

  'Be careful with it, you have no sense of touch and is strong enough to crush iron,' said Kurbad, waving his finger in warning before turning away and retrieving his staff from the prince. Thudrin stepped forward to take his place.

  'The king sincerely hopes that his gift pleases you and that you will find it in your heart to continue your battles on the side of honour and righteousness.' said the prince.

  'It's magnificent.' said Ruprecht, a tear appearing at the corner of his eye. He clenched and
unclenched his artificial hand, and then proffered his right hand to Thudrin. The prince grasped it briefly but tightly and then stepped back. 'I... I can't thank you enough. It's wonderful.'

  The prince turned to Lady Halste.

  'The king requests that you send messages of forewarning if you wish the honour of visiting his hold again.' said Thudrin, waving to Thane Grundab to start out once more. 'May your gods watch over you and your ancestors guide you on the journey that lies ahead.'

  CHAPTER TWO

  Treasure

  Nehekhara, Summer 1711

  As two of his warriors struggled past with a chest laden with treasure, Kurt watched the procession of Norse making its way back towards the ships. They had brought sacks, chests and empty barrels from the ship, and many of them used their shields as platters to carry the gold and gems. It was barely mid-morning, and Kurt reckoned that they had already taken aboard enough riches to buy a small Empire town in its entirety.

  He grinned to himself. If wealth could by fame, the saga of Kurt Sutenmjar would be remembered for many generations to come.

  A shout from Bjordrin, who was leading the group emptying the buildings close to the square, drew his attention. There was a note of panic in the yell and Kurt broke into a run. He was a few dozen yards away when a scream from behind him caused him to skid to a stop and look over his shoulder.

  At the junction he had just passed, Lina Half-wolf and Snarri Gold-tooth had been carrying stacks of gold platters which were now scattered across the ground, glinting in the sun. Snarri had his axe in his hand, and Lina was screeching something Kurt could not understand. For a moment he could not see the cause of their alarm. Then a movement caught his eye.

  The four statues at the corners of the junction were flexing their limbs, like old men awakening from an awkward sleeping position. A jackal-headed creature crusted in tarnished gold swung its scythe-like weapon around its head three times. It then crouched and lowered one leg from the plinth, then the other and advanced towards Lina. Its hawk-headed companion closed in on Snarri, a curved blade in each hand, while two crocodile-headed monstrosities turned up the road towards Kurt.