“I have the answer.”
Anya blinked into existence next to Phahotep as the Ushabti watched their master battle the man-wyrm. Many seemed to strain forward, obviously eager to assist the Champion, however the forbidding look of Phahotep restrained them.
“Princess, the Champion instructed you to remain hidden at-“ Anya cut across the Ushabti irritably, eyes locked at the fight raging in front of them.
“That is not important! What is, is that Neru has shown me what fuels that beast, and what may defeat it before it grows too much stronger. The shard of the daemon stone in its chest is not normal shard. It ensorcelled with many potent magicks, which must have been carried out by those most powerful in the forces of Chaos. Whatever or whoever warped the Skaven must have spent much time planning this, and it will not easily be destroyed.
In fact with its energies being heightened further by whatever is now possessing it, the only way to quickly end this is to negate the dark spells wrapped around the warpstone.” Anya’s voice trailed off, unconsciously biting her bottom lip as if unsure of what to say next.
“How?” Phahotep demanded, “how can such spells be undone? Can these blades do so, can other spells?”
“No, none of the incantations I know would be able to counter such magicks,” Anya replied, “such spells were cast by dark sacrifice, a tortured soul. Normally the best way to counter such a thing would be its opposite…….”
“Then the matter is clear.”
Both Phahotep and Anya turned as Ramon spoke, eyes dark with knowledge.
***
No longer was Rowhaine able to remain still, easily deflecting his foes strikes. Now he was moving, dodging, blocking and striking back. Both warriors fought with immense skill, yet the Champion could still sense his opponent was still getting faster, more skilled as he adapted to the form he was wearing.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY CHAMPION? NO SURPRISE?
Rowhaine’s cold stare said more than his words, forcing away the bone blade, lashing out in diagonal blow that his foe countered.
“I have nothing to say to a traitor.”
Before anything else could be said Rowhaine’s eyes glazed slightly as if listening to a voice elsewhere, thought it was a testament to his skill that he retained his skill and speed despite the distraction. Barely the moment had ended before footsteps heralded the arrival of one of the Ushabti.
“Champion,” Ramon bellowed, coming as close as he dared to the hail of blades, “the princess has-“
“I know,” Rowhaine interrupted, “I have just been told.” Ramon did not even question this, instead moving closer.
“Then I am ready.”
With a surge of adrenaline Rowhaine lashed out in a flurry of blows, pushing back the man-wyrm to give him a few moments of breathing room. Glancing over his dark eyes met those of the Ushabti, all that needed to be said was communicated in the look between the two men. Ramon placed his arm over his chest, slightly bowing as befitted the warrior.
“For the greater good,” he simply said. Rowhaine hesitated, just for a moment before returning the gesture.
“For the greater good,” he echoed, arm whistling round in a strike that took Ramon’s head off. Before the body could fall Rowhaine seized it, godly strength directing its muscled form to shower the man-wrym with the Ushabti’s holy blood. As the lifeforce hit the monstrosity its flesh twisted and blackened, dropping off in bloody chunks. However that was naught to the warpstone heart of the beast which fractured and then exploded with force enough to tear the beast in two, showering all nearby with viscera. The top half toppled like a felled oak, purple witchfire guttering in its eyes.
WE SHALL FINISH THIS CHAMPION
“Oh yes we shall,” Rowhaine said to himself, his gaze flickering to Ramon’s corpse for second. Only the tightening of his mouth betrayed the anger that bubbled beneath, but that alone was enough, “we shall finish this.”
***
We did not expect him to move so early
Rowhaine and the Ushabti were now back in Drakenhof. The destruction of the man-wrym had destroyed any lasting resolve the skaven had at fighting, and the remaining elements were easily being mopped up by the Carsteins forces. With little required of their skill Rowhaine had decided to return to the Carsteins ancestral home and make ready for what would an event no doubt as gruelling as the last, officially forming the second Vampire Council.
Dipping his hands in the cold water, Rowhaine washed more blood from his face, glancing in the mirror as he did so. Much of the man-wrym still remained in his beard and hair, not perhaps the first impression a Champion of the Gods should make.
‘No we did not’ he thought back, the tone subtly accusatory.
There was no indication, and as I have already told you, much is hidden from our sight. The Chaos gods jealously guard their own.
‘As the Nehekharan gods guard theirs?’
Of course my love
‘Which gives thought as to how the followers of Chaos seemed to be so well prepared for this. Perhaps they know more of us than we do of them?’ There was no answer to this, Asaph remaining quiet as she normally did when she did not have the answer. Tired of the discussion Rowhaine finished washing and opened the door to the waiting servant outside.
“Please inform your masters, I am ready to commence.”
