Next Sunday we return to normal
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Nachhexen-19-2494
I couldn't say with much certainty, but I could tell that Karaz-a-Karak seemed much more alive than the last time I'd seen it. Along the Silver Road there was far more traffic than before; many of the southern fortresses now plenty of life.
Many merchants came up from the south to trade at the capital of Karaz Ankor. Amid that bustle one could also spot Dawi troop movements, disciplined patrols along the road. Apparently they were taking their defenses far more seriously now that they had finally recovered much of the southern strongholds.
With a small escort I entered the city."Halt, umgi! You… umgi… noble umgi," said the Dawi guard, clad head to toe in rune-forged armor that glimmered faintly. "This way, please."The guard motioned with his hand, letting us pass without the cargo inspection they were conducting on a group of human merchants trying to enter the city.
"Audience with the High King, noble umgi?" another guard asked, staring at me."Indeed… I come to request the High King's permission for a new military campaign in Karaz Ankor. It would be prudent to have his approval and blessing, to avoid needless offences," I replied with a measured smile.
The Dawi nodded and exchanged a look with his companion."Take him to the High King. Tell them the Imperial noble has returned and see how quickly they can grant him an audience," the second guard told the first. "Escort him. Let us hope the High King has a moment to receive such an honorable guest."
He nodded and, without further words, signaled me to follow. We walked through the vast levels of the fortress, ascending slowly along corridors hewn in stone, halls hung with ancestral statues and the constant echo of hammers and boots on rock.
At last we reached the palace quarter of Karaz-a-Karak, where they left me waiting for a few minutes in a solemn chamber lit by braziers and hung with tapestries that told the deeds of ancient kings."The High King is pleased by your presence. He is attending to a minor matter at the moment. You may enter and wait; your audience will begin as soon as he finishes," said one of the burly Dawi warriors who guarded the High King, in a respectful yet firm tone.
At the threshold of the throne room I was about to sit when the great doors swung wide, threw aside by six Dawi who split to each push a leaf of the great door."Noble umgi… the High King has time for you," one of the guards announced.
I entered the throne room. As before, the High King sat surrounded by his counselors, all busy scribbling in enormous ledgers. Yet the king's attention was fixed solely on me. The moment I crossed the entrance his eyes rested directly on mine.
"Albrecht… it seems you have returned to honor your oaths to the Dawi," Thorgrim said, his voice ringing through the hall.
"Indeed, High King. I have spent the year in the field aiding the Dawi, keeping my promise to you," I answered firmly, straightening as I regarded him on his throne.
"I am glad to hear it… but I wish to confirm something before we continue. Our ambassador in the Empire brought us a rather strange report… too strange. That when you recovered the gift my ancestor Kurgan Ironbeard had given, you had an audience with Sigmar… and that he gave you a 'gift' that seems more like a curse," the High King said, looking at me inquisitively.
I clenched my teeth and forced a smile. It was obvious the news would reach them.
"The magical gift that Deus Sigmar has given me…" I said, lowering my head. "The god of humanity tried to bless me many times… but even with his divine power he found it difficult. He gave me this magical gift because it was the only thing he could offer, given the complexity of my situation. His blessing and protection." I spoke calmly, attempting to remain composed. I knew well that the Dawi abhorred anything that smelled of elgi magic.
"Indeed, I heard… Sigmar will always have respect throughout Karaz Ankor. But I cannot fathom his reasoning in giving you that 'gift'… which appears rather like a curse that attracts the gaze of corruption…" the High King grunted when he finished.
"It is all under control… I was fortunate to meet the northern Dawi and their king, Haarkon. Their rune-smiths possess very powerful rune defenses against corruption," I replied, showing the rune ring I wore as proof.
The High King barely turned his head, thoughtful. "In consideration that you are an honorable and trustworthy umgi, I can order my finest rune-smiths to forge you a new suit of armor… one that will confine your magic, to avoid any dilemma with the use of elgi magic," he said finally, stressing the word elgi with evident disdain.
"I am deeply grateful for your offer, High King… but… you ask me to reject the gift of my god… would you refuse a gift from the ancestor gods?" I asked seriously, watching the High King's reaction as he lifted a hand to his beard.
The High King sank back into his throne, regarding me silently, thoughtful. Many of his counselors and kin watched, their gazes flicking rapidly between him and me, alert to every gesture.
"Certainly, I would never refuse a gift from the ancestor gods… but I will say again: that gift is a curse… even if it comes from Sigmar himself. Still, my offer stands: if you ever wish to control what you carry within, I will see that Kragg forges you armor specifically designed to dissipate your elgi magic."
He paused and his voice hardened. "Putting aside that serious problem of yours… what brings you to my throne room?"
"I have come to fulfill my oath, High King. I have come to finish my work—clearing the southern Karaks still held by the urk, and to explore the possibility of marching to Karak Eight Peaks to aid the Dawi warriors… keeping my word, with my Dawi allies," I said solemnly, not averting my gaze.
"Your aid is…" he breathed deeply, pressing his lips with a mix of resignation, "well received." He sighed. "My warriors have recently finished what you could not: they recovered the other karaks that were in urk hands. So you need not worry about that. You may march at once to Vala-Azril-Ungol. I do not think Lunn's heir, Belegar Ironhammer, will refuse your help."
"Those are great news, worthy of celebration, High King. It fills me with joy to know your people have recovered much of their ancestral holdings."
I paused before continuing. "Regarding Vala-Azril-Ungol, I would like your counsel on which route we should take. I understand there are subterranean tunnels connected to that Dawi fortress, but it is also possible to advance overland — if that means facing the main armies of the urk."
The High King frowned and regarded me gravely. "From the reports we received from Belegar's Dawi, they hold some sections of that old fortress. But the grobi, the urk and the thagoraki hold other parts. The underground passages are destroyed; it is impossible to move an army through them. Besides, the thagoraki make movement on the lower levels unviable. They dominate the deep passages."
His expression grew even grimmer. "The only way in… with any chance of survival… is overland. For years we have sent thousands of warriors trying to reinforce Lunn's heirs. Very few even make it to the eastern gate. To get there they must cross the Death Crossing, where ancient strongholds once guarded the pass. Now it is full of urk, preventing our forces from advancing."
He paused briefly. "Also, the grobi possess numerous doom-divers. Do not attempt the western gate — it leads straight into the heart of the fortress and is completely infested with urk and grobi. The only real opportunity is the eastern gate," he said, pointing with one finger.
"Then… I knew this would not be easy. But it is a Dawi stronghold. Besieging something built by the heirs of Grungni was never going to be simple. Marching overland, through the Badlands, we will draw the attention of every urk in the region."
I stopped for a moment, folding my arms and lowering my voice."Is Karaz-a-Karak able to sell large quantities of food? And can your forges produce enough ammunition? Even with the train I need at least a contingency, in case something goes wrong," I asked, thinking through how difficult it would be to sustain such a campaign.
"At present…" the High King said, casting a look to one of the long-bearded elders at the table.
"We currently have more than enough supplies. Thanks to our underground farms, as you will recall, and the return of thousands of Dawi to their Karaks to work, we have a surplus. It can be sold… or provided as support," the long-beard explained, looking to the High King for confirmation.
I nodded, though doubts remained. "An army of over fifty thousand men is not easy to feed. Although I had good harvests, I cannot move everything at once. The Border Princes are unstable. If there is any uprising, I would lose all the grain and livestock…" I said, doing mental calculations and weighing routes and risks.
"Fifty thousand umgi…?" the High King murmured, folding his arms. "More than three times what you brought last time…" He sighed. "Had we been able to coordinate with more time, perhaps I could have accompanied you to battle… but I have committed many of my forces to reclaim the northern Karaks, in coordination with King Ungrim of Karak Kadrin. We are launching a joint offensive to retake Mount Gunbad and the surrounding region."
Then he looked at me with firmer resolve."But I will send with you two thousand of my best Ironbreakers, equipped with the best rune-armor and the finest weapons our forges can produce."
He made a meaningful pause before continuing."Also, I ask you, Albrecht, our Imperial ally… to protect a large quantity of rune armors and weapons we wish to send to Belegar's expedition. If there is any chance of that shipment getting through, it is with your army. We will trust you to make it happen… As soon as we finish our campaign in the north, we will do our utmost to provide support," the High King said, speaking sternly and clenching his teeth from time to time.
"I shall do so. I hope fortune favors us… and that that legendary fortress is finally returned to its rightful owners," I replied, bowing my head, accepting not only the mission but the reality that the High King did not wish to have a mage as an ally… yet knew I was his best — and probably only — option.
I inclined my head in respect and left the throne room. It did not take long to notice that much of the respect I had earned among the Dawi had faded simply because I used elgi magic. I knew I would have to do everything in my power to win their favor again. That would be difficult… the Dawi never forget, and what the elves did to them remained alive in their memory. Sometimes it seemed history was repeating itself before their eyes…
With nothing further to say, I left the fortress. Outside, I found the High King's troops: a large contingent of his best warriors, fully covered in their famed rune-armor, already formed up. Alongside them several heavy wagons carried sealed crates — the consignment destined for Belegar. It was imperative that it reached him, reinforcing his forces however possible.
I returned to the train station and from there to camp. We immediately began preparations for the journey south. Every detail had to be planned to establish a supply line across the Badlands: a hostile terrain, swarming with greenskin hordes, where there would be no rest. Keeping supplies moving would be key, or we would end up trapped under siege… like Belegar's expedition, which by all reports seemed completely isolated from the rest of Karaz Ankor.
Only the luckiest broke the blockade. Now it was our turn to try.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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