38

38

You have found Rhya and Taal

+20 Attribute points

“I advise not to frequent here.” Howard said as he tapped the cell bars. He is sitting on a stool just beside my cell.

“I am more surprised they didn’t decide to just outright kill us back then.” I breathe out a long breath. Trying to calm myself.

Why did I try to punch Taal when he got angry? Displayed too much power back then. Somehow have too much fun too when the fight starts going too. Is this the Khornate taint work? It did said to increase my spontaneity and irritability. On the other hand, can I even diffuse the fight? Seems impossible when I think about it again. Hopefully neither the Changeling and the Masque ousted me. I won’t mind the permanent mark when I engage in mimicry. But resetting the Facsimile concept back to level 1 will be a pain. for new novels

“It’s a good thing then.” I look at Howard incredulously.

“Not outright killing you, I mean. Means there will be a trial. We have a courthouse run by the cult of Vereena here. The judges are fair. So unless you outright lie or do something egregious, I say you have a chance for a fair hearing. “He explains.

“That, or they are currently preparing a pyre to burn you guys.” He then concludes. Pointing at me, Rhya, Taal, and the nervous female mercenary.

“You seem to have an awful amount of free time. Why are you here again? Don’t you have a job to do?”

“Oh don’t worry about that. I’m here because of nepotism.” He shrug nonchalantly.

I blink twice.

“Then why as a prison guard though? You could just land somewhere else right?”

“This is Middenheim. Prison is almost always empty. People here like to settle things themselves.” He makes punching motions.

“So as long as no murder, missing person, or anything serious, we practically idling around all day long. At most we store drunks then nothing much.”

“Huh, It makes sense if you put it that way.”

“I get my own herd!?” She asks, her excitement palpable.

“Yes.”

What follows is a series of excited screams. I can’t help but wonder when’s the last time I was that excited. Felt like a very long time ago.

“You won’t regret this Mom! I will make you proud!”

“Calm down now. Your journey will be a hard one. You will go east through the Ork’s wasteland then the Ogre Kingdom and even then I don’t know how far the journey will get.” felt slightly bad throwing cold water on her eagerness. But she needs to know what to expect.

“What are we looking for?” Her excitement calms down as she asks in a more serious manner.

“There’s an empire far east. Cathay. I believe we could make some alliance with them.”

“Is this Orks and Ogres no good?”

“No. You will understand when you meet them. Once I am done here, I will give you something that could help you.” I assure her

“Thanks mom! I will start recruiting now.”

I cut off the link. Start thinking about what artifact that I could give her. Something that allows teleportation from the herdstone to the second herd would be perfect. I’m sure she will need plenty of help along the way. As for weapons, I could just give one that I already made. The problem is the material Preferably something strong enough for it not to be a one time use artifact. Doubt the Screamers I captured will suffice. I looked at Rhya and Taal and started thinking. Rhya seems calm and carefree. Not worried in the slightest. Taal is quiet because he is still sulking. Maybe if I manage to speak to them, they could provide me with the material. Seems like speaking with Rhya is also more preferable too. But with Howard here, we can’t really have a private conversation.

___

Taurox led the Slaughterhorn Tribe as they finally passed the River Reik. The town Volgen burned behind them. Rivers of blood and flattened meats are the only thing left of the former citizens as the thousand Bovigors stampede through. They are nearing Drakwald forest. Set to claim the golden herd’s herdstone for Khorne.

Far away in the distance, a scout of the Wulfhart’s hunters rides back to Grimminhagen as quickly as the horse can carry him. Preparation needs to be made. Hunting a thousand minotaurs will be the most difficult task they will ever undertake.

Back within Middenheim. The Changeling oversaw the torture of the captured nun of Shallya. He’s bored already. She kept screaming that she is innocent as parts of her skin are peeled.. It has been going for some time though he didn’t count how long time has passed. Soon the nun will say yes to anything the Inquisition accuses her for. He understood the Inquisition needed to do this to buy more time as the populace is really close to rioting. Felt ironic that the Inquisition lynch someone to stop the populace from rioting and lynching anyone slightly suspicious. Regardless, his plan is ready. All he needs to do is to wait till Taurox pulls the majority of Boris’ army away from the city. And the time is coming soon.