“Taking on an overstrengthed, clawed up chaos team is enough but to get thoroughly dice raped aswell? Behave.


"Finally! They're hear", Boris screamed from the newly erected pallisade.

Charon reached the battlements to see the Nuln contingent reach the gates as black clouds started to gather, overhead. "It's a bad sign", he thought.

"Captain Alda, reporting. Here are my orders from Sir Bernick of the Imperial Academy of Nuln. My engineers are to speed the progress of the defences and install a number of cannon and volley guns on the permanent defenses. We will then oversea the battlements surrounding the arena to create a defensive cordon".

Joseff saw the Imperial seal read the continents and felt quite pleased with himself that he was actually held in such asteem that he warranted official instructions. Although he still did not know anything about this Bernick character.

"Very well Captain. My men will assist wherever possible."

"There is also another thing Mr Fyre"

"Oh"

"You will be entertaining a chaos team in the arena tonight. Which is another reason why we are arming your outpost so heavily and will be here to assist where necessary"

Joseff could tell he was reciting another's words as he looked visibly sick to have to tell him this news with such a forced impartiality. Joseff needed to not say anything. He just nodded and went to his men.


That evening the storm clouds gathered even more intensely but the rain held off and then they came.

"They are huge!! Look at those two beasts they're as big as the warriors!", shouted Clash, as they observed their large procession from the eastern battlements.

"What? Do you mean those warriors with the claws? This is a bad idea, a real bad idea. Who's damn idea is this?", Charon shouted back.


The sense of stunned silence in the changing hall was deafening until Percival gingerly stood up and said, "You were right to pull us, Joseff. Did you see their crowd they ripped Manfred to shreds".

Joseff said nothing, just sat there in silence as he watch Brym with tears in his eyes. He couldn't believe the odd-ball bond he and Manfred had developed. Manfred being infinitely more intelligent than Brym but seemed to find him such good company. Maybe it was his brutish honesty. Maybe he should give Brym a chance too.

There was a heavy knock at the door and the warrior Havok walked in. Sword were drawn instantly and Brym lunged at him slamming him to the wall.

"Wait! I am not here to fight. I am here to deliver a message. Nothing more."

"Then speak", snarled Brym

"You listened to the Wood Elven fools? Then you are too foolish for words. Your elf witch is either still here or travelled west. She would not have moved anywhere else. She is here for more purposes than to give you immortality or are you that arrogant that you haven't even questioned it. You are being used unless you hadn't noticed."

"Why are you telling us this?"

"Would you believe redemption?"


The funeral for Manfred was a small, tight and desperatly sad affair. Tear soaked Brym carried the coffin alone. To the Joxxa family mausileum. Algus had updated Joseff on the damage caused during the night. Surprzingly little, it would seem. They left under a heavy cordon to the forest-edge, after which they were free game, as to the unofficial Bloodbowl rules.

"We have had reports of a murder within the city walls last night"

"So"

"It was Merrick Joxxa. Manfred's brother, sir"

Joseff really didn't want to ask but had to. "And?"

"The servants have reported under oath that he lay with an Elven noble woman last night. She has not been seen since".”