Memories of Reforging

The daemons were here, looking to despoil yet another helpless village. Well not entirely helpless for the Anvils of the Heldenhammer were here. The battle was fierce, Liberators turned into vile Spawn by apalling magics, Horrors summoned in through thin air, tearing into Knight Azyros Yhuneska, and an entire squad of Evocators reduced to ash by Fireborn. The Vanguard-Raptors did not have range on the enemy commanders and had to waste shot on lowly Daemonettes and Plaguebearers. Knight Vexillor Kret had to remove Lord Castellant Baramas from battle. As a last ditch effort Lord Aquilor Ugula used an Azyrite Hurricane to gain a more advantageous position, it was for naught and the daemons kept coming, sending the best of Sigmar’s chosen hurling to Azyr.

Knight Incantor Morrentis awoke in a cold sweat. On edge she grabbed her staff and illuminated the room, the groans of Duarden and Aelf put her at ease. It was only a dream, or perhaps a memory? Had she been at that battle? She could not recall. Composing herself she stepped out of the great room and into the night. Knight Azyros Yhuneska was guarding the door Celestial Lantern at the ready. “Too much Steelbrew General?” he jested. Morrentis thought about the question, then vomited. “Hmm perhaps Yhuneska, perhaps. Anything to report?” “No Ma’am, the night is quiet, the Ishlaen Guard are patrolling Lake Ionic and that gold hungry bastard Hafgaer Steelbeard watches the town perimeter” said Yheneska. “Correct your tone Knight, the Fyreslayers are stuck in these lands with us, they make for much better friends than enemies and I do not want a grudging under my command” chastised Morrentis. “Yes Ma’am sorry Ma’am” and with that Morrentis returned inside the Steelbrewery Tavern.

It was a simple wooden building, with a white tile roof and a big brick chimney. Several battered shields hung on the walls and a small stage for performers lay in the center of the floor. Sprawled around the Tavern were her soldiers, Fyreslayers here on the hunt for Ur-Gold, Arkanauts contractually obligated to defend the Compass she carried, and the Idoneth who claimed to enjoy her company but rarely spoke to her. They were all cut-throats usually opposed but brought together by her command, not that fights didn’t break out occasionally.

It was her fault they were all here, stranded in this strange land. She had followed the Compass to the Realmgate and did not question where it would lead. Her army had followed for there was no reason not to. Now they may never go back to their homes, to their families, the consequences weighed heavily on Morrentis. Sensing her gloom, Knight Vexillor Kret joined her at the bar. “Thinking about the past Ma’am?” he questioned. “Yes” she replied. “Well then let's think about the present and future shall we?” “As I see it, these Shavespikers now have a purpose, they look to us for guidance and protection, is there a more noble cause?” “Perhaps Kret, perhaps, they are a well armed people but lack order in battle, we will need to set up a training camp somewhere.” Morrentis said. “Let’s take a trip north, to the mountains, the Duarden will enjoy the familiarity and perhaps we can find a more defensible position?” said Kert. “Yes Knight Vexillor, in the morning we shall head north.”