Sigmar's Blood Read Free Page A

Theogonist turned to face the Emperor, shoulders slumping in despair. Behind him, Zintler surreptitiously dabbed his face with a handkerchief.
    ‘I cannot allow rebellion in my Empire to go unpunished,’ said the Emperor. ‘Let alone an uprising led by a vampiric dynasty we presumed long gone.’
    ‘No, my lord,’ replied Volkmar.
    ‘We have been hearing for weeks that the situation in Sylvania is dire,’ continued Karl Franz. ‘And today, it has been made painfully clear that these claims of a magical darkness haunting the province are based in fact. This bizarre act of secession needs putting down, immediately and finally.’
    ‘Yes, your eminence,’ replied Volkmar with a bow. ‘You speak wisely.’
    ‘Dissent amongst allies is not the solution. And neither is mustering the Altdorf army, before you suggest it,’ said Karl Franz, casting a warning glance towards the assembled elector counts. ‘We have our hands full in the north. Besides, we want to ensure the extinction of that slippery bastard’s line once and for all. We cannot afford to announce our intentions until we have him trapped. A grand show of force will merely drive him back into hiding.’
    Karl Franz turned his attention to the gathered electors, meeting their gazes one by one.
    ‘Our foe in Sylvania is functionally immortal. He has all the time in the world to play hide and seek. We, however, do not. So, I put the question to you all. What do you intend to do about it?’
    ‘I will attend to this crisis personally, my Emperor,’ said Volkmar. ‘I… I will lead my own army of the faithful into Sylvania.’
    The old man seemed to straighten as he spoke the words, his rounded shoulders setting firm.
    ‘I will lead a crusade of light against the darkness,’ he continued. ‘A crusade of the righteous and the vengeful, united in faith. I swear to you now, with the great and the good to bear witness. I will hunt down and destroy the fiend Mannfred von Carstein and reclaim the Crown of Sorcery from his ashes, or I will die in the attempt.’
    Meaningful glances passed between several of the elector counts, but no one spoke a word.
    ‘Fine words, old friend,’ said Karl Franz softly. ‘Though, I am not sure that they are wise ones.’
    ‘I must go, my lord,’ replied Volkmar. ‘I have no choice. I am Sigmar’s appointed representative in the Old World, and therefore I must act in his name, regardless of the danger.’
    ‘Very well,’ said the Emperor, his tone resigned. ‘You have a better chance than most. Faith is a powerful weapon against the powers of darkness. Though, you will need help. Help that my armies cannot give.’ Karl Franz paused for a second and scribbled something down on a nearby parchment before passing it to a uniformed aide.
    ‘Go, then, and prepare the muster of the faithful,’ said the Emperor, laying down his quill. ‘Take Kaslain with you. Arch Lector Aglim can tend the flock in your absence.’
    ‘Thank you, your eminence,’ said Volkmar softly, meeting Karl Franz’s level gaze for the briefest moment. The look that passed between the two dignitaries was as close to a fond goodbye as circumstances would permit.
    ‘Don’t be so quick to thank me. I only hope you make it back alive. The darkness gathers thick these days.’
    Volkmar bowed his head for a moment before starting towards the door.
    ‘May I ask how you intend to find your quarry?’ said Karl Franz.
    ‘Ah,’ said Volkmar. ‘Well… there is… There is one of my witch hunters still active in Sylvania, my Emperor. A man who knows that benighted realm like his own reflection. You will not like it, but he truly is our best chance at finding the vampire.’
    The Emperor sighed. ‘Let me guess. Alberich von Korden?’
    ‘Indeed, my lord,’ said Volkmar, taking a deep breath. ‘Alberich von Korden.’

THE CROW AND HAMMER
    Konigstein, 2522
    The witch hunter reloaded his silver-chased pistols at the top of the stairs of Konig’s Coaching