Table of Contents

Prologue: The Shack

Chapter 1: The Stocks

Chapter 2: The Bath

Chapter 3: The Ride

Chapter 4: The Lady and The Magistrate

Chapter 5: A Rescue and The Gala

Chapter 6: The Mission and a Murder

Chapter 7: The Trial and the Lady's Fall

Chapter 8: Remembrance, Final Negotiations, and an Exchange

Chapter 9: Tea, Accusations, and An Unexpected Ultimatum

Chapter 10: Escapes, Rescues, and Old Friends

Chapter 11: Honor's Worth


Prologue: The Shack

The scarred man stared openmouthed at the three mages, and then broke into cackling laughter.

"That's your plan?" he giggled. "Seriously?"

Their answering stares and pursed lips conveyed the depth of their intent. The man's smirk faded.

"You are serious." He considered a moment. "And you believe this thing will actually succeed?"

"We have read the signs," said the mage with the huge hooked nose.

"An opportunity has presented itself," said the one with red eyes glowing from deep within his cowl.

"Onesh again we play our dangeroush game, againsht our old advershary, the Bretonnian Knightsh. But thish time..." The last mage was a distinguished older gentleman with a receding hairline and short white beard. He was sipping some clear liquid with an olive in it from a crystal glass. He noticed the first two staring in embarrassment. The mage shrugged, and restarted.

"Fine, fine. I'll shkip the shpeech." He cleared his throat. "The opportunity we shpeak of offersh momentoush gainsh for thosh bold and capable enough to exshploit it." He finished, and then stared sulkily at the ceiling, and continued nursing his drink.

The man's eyes narrowed at the strange sorcerer, not missing the evasion. "Interesting accent." he commented. His glance swung to the fourth mage, standing, arms crossed, a short distance away from the others. Caela Tek was a very talented individual who followed Chaos Undivided rather than any of the specific ruinous powers. Seth worked with her frequently as she had proven long ago her intelligence, ruthlessness, and rarest of all in the northern wastes, her trustworthiness. It was she who had brought this matter to his attention. A minute shrug from the armored magi communicated both skepticism and interest. So the Undivided mage was willing to join the Tzeentch schemers in their meddling, thought the man. And the Slaaneshi Lord? As yet undecided...

"A moment?" The armored mage had finally spoken. Her deep, rich voice emanated clearly from the horned helmet. She motioned the scarred man to a far corner of the hut. The mages stared openly, clearly unhappy with the private conversation, and the further delay.

"You've been nervous as a cat in a dog run ever since the Bahdi Koda hit." she whispered.

"Forget about that." he hissed back. "I don't want to talk about it. That whole thing never sat right with me. Kinda like this..."

"The mage glanced over to the other three. "The runners haven't returned from the Tribe of the Snake yet, and aren't expected back for at least a week or more. We're waiting no matter what. And don't try and tell me you're not interested. You are. I can tell."

He grinned. "Maybe..."

"So get off your ass and stop moping." she finished. "Let's do the job."

He considered. "You trust these guys?"

The mage tilted her head. "I trust no one. But the money's right, the target is interesting, and if you could just pull yourself out of your sulk, I know you'd be up for it too." She turned and walked back to he mages.

The wind whistled hollowly through the thatch walls of the hut, but those within were beyond noticing the chilling gusts. Tension mounted, drew out, leaped as the man teasingly eased the short sword at his hip, and crested as he spoke.

"My men will stay here with you," he said. "To make sure no 'signs' present themselves that cause you to lose interest in this 'opportunity'. So how do we start this little game?"

"The hero will be where we have said three days from now," said the cowl.

"Thosh who you musht travel with await outshide. You musht make haisht to arrive before he dosh." added the gentleman, gesturing with his glass.

"With his downfall, the entire province will eventually fall under our sway." finished the nose.

"But you have to follow the plan, Seth." added Caela. "Deviate from the plan, and you'll doom us both."

Chaos Lord Seth Garrick, Champion of Slaanesh, quirked his mouth at the forbidding words. "I love it when you say 'deviate', sweet cheeks."

Tek's eyes were hidden and shielded in her helm, but everyone in the hut heard them rolling in exasperation. "You mean 'deviant', you degenerate ass."

"Oooh! Oooh!" he crowed back. "She's talking dirty now!" He motioned to the robed mages. " I bet you Tzeentch boys never hear language like that! I bet you're all shocked, right?" He slipped over to Tek's side, and waggled a long finger in front of her helmet. "Who's a bad girl? Who's a very, very baaaaaaaad girl?" Seth dissolved into giggles, and held on to Caela's arm to remain upright.

"Hoo-ah, are we havin' fun now? I'm enjoying myself immensely. And speaking of immensely... ". Seth gazed longingly at Caela's ornate breastplate, pausing to flick the tip of one large protuberance. It made a deep ringing sound. "You know I absolutely love your nipple spikes."

The three mages looked at one another, and became even more grim.