Hervig looked back at the growing colony. He focused on the towering white building displaying the white dove carrying a golden key. A Temple dedicated to Shallya which sheltered his wife. He looked back again even when it wasn’t visible. He was reluctant to leave his wife and his son behind. He wanted nothing more but to banter and cuddle with his wife and carry his son. Yet duty calls. Duty. He remembered his father’s favourite word. He said it all day. As his stomach rotted and vile humours leaked out, he did his duty. His duty to provide his family and to reform the Directorate to curb its excess corruption. He worked and worked until he was dead. Hervig clutched on his horses’ rein a bit too roughly, which caused him to slightly veer off course.

Pappa did all that work yet it was all for nought. Just a year after his death our house and our shop mysteriously burnt down. I’m just glad he wasn’t there to see it. He politely dismissed one of the outriders who came to help him. I should stop. Emma would yell at me if she could read my thoughts. We promised each other to move on. We did. Physically at least. Now we’re on a whole new world with great opportunities. Opportunities that was handed to me by the gods. It would have to be them! I was too lucky to board the same rowboat as Lord Klaus and be recognised by him on the first day! I owe it all to him. So, I’ll forgive him for this slight. A slight that forbids me to see my son and my wife.

He yawned and looked around hoping to strike a conversation. “Who here knows someone that volunteered to set up the forward base?” Several of them raised their hands which prompted Hervig to signal someone nearby. “What’s your name my good man?”

“Wilhelm milord.” The peasant said.

“Well met Wilhelm. Who do you know in ‘Nahrbodenstadt’?” Since the people there started to call it that, he saw no problem making it official. It would be useful to divert people, mainly farmers or shepherds, to move away from New Altdorf and settle there. Though, he was a bit perturbed how long it was.

“Me brother and sister-in-law milord. He was too eager to start farmin’ milord. ‘Specially those sweet yellow cobs.”

Hervig smiled at that. He was glad that his delegations to the New World Colonies not only provided a stable trade relationship, but new colonists specialising on farming! They were mostly friends of Giovanni. “I’m glad they liked them. It was a bit too expensive to trade for them and making the farmers who grow them spill their secrets.”

“I hope me brother is using this opportunity, that you’ve given him then, milord.” Wilhelm said in awe.

“I hope so too. So, have you kept communicating with him and his family?”

“Yes milord. I would always volunteer to patrol the roads. Last I saw them, they just finished buildin’ themselves a house. Sometimes, I would escort a Shallyan priest to tend to me sister in law.”

“Then, it sounds like they’re doing a fine job. Once we’re there we could look around a bit.”

Wilhelm nodded at that but instantly squinted his eyes and covered it from the sun to look further ahead. Several outriders ahead of them abruptly stopped with the leader holding his arms up.

“Wh-Why are we stopping?” Hervig asked with a mild stutter. He quickly disguised his growing fear by holding his greatsword. He galloped towards the front. “Captain! Is there something wrong?”

“Oh! Lord Hanoschaft! Forgive me. Just saw some rustlin’ in the bushes. It was me instinct to stop. Those bushes usually don’t rustle milord. It’s not even windy.” The captain whistled and his company reformed in a defensive stance which rattled Hervig even more.

Hervig trained his eyes towards the jungle. The captain is right! Something is wro-

Dozens of armoured reptilian humanoids stepped out of the jungle’s edge and formed a shield wall. They roared and marched in perfect order whilst banging their spears on their shields.

Those are not skinks! They look far too armoured and big! Hervig saw the nightmarish procession and willed his horse behind the outrider captain. He desperately stared at the captain hoping for something. Hoping for anything.

“Odd. They don’t seem to be comin’ for us. They’re headin’ straight towards the forward camp.”

Several of his men were disturbed by what he said and looked ready to pounce towards them but was stopped by their captain. “Ye fools! Don’t even think ‘bout it! We only number five dozen men! We could be outnumbered!”

Hervig, who was now slightly calmer, scanned around the company and noticed several of them with mutinous expressions. He was worried about the captain, so he decided to speak for the soldiers under his command, hoping to alleviate some their concern. “Captain! Some of your men have relatives at that camp! Should we be doing something?”

The Captain gave a grateful nod towards him and addressed them all. “A dozen of yous. Volunteer now! Scout them and do not engage! Note if they have any skirmish and cavalry units!” A dozen men galloped through the jungle. I hope they’ll be fine and follow his orders! “Someone who’s familiar with area! Volunteer now!”

“Me! Captain!” Wilhelm eagerly shouted.

“I want ye to ride ahead and alert the settlers of Nahrstadt. Organise their militia if ye can!” Wilhelm nodded and whipped his stallion at a gallop. “And the other, alert the state troops back at New Altdorf.”

Hervig was stuck at a predicament. He wanted to go back. He wanted to alert the state troopers. But… He didn’t want to be labelled as a coward. The hit in his reputation would be too severe and he didn’t doubt that the cronies, Raymund left behind, would capitalise on this fact. It would sway too much of the nobility to his side and Hervig doesn’t want that. He needed to fight and prove himself capable. He unsheathed his greatsword ready to fight. Killing a hundred skaven doesn’t seem to be enough to impress those fools. Hopefully, by killing these unknown abominations, I can prove myself!

They trailed the mass of lizards from a distance and waited. Until a group of scouts came out but was followed by more blue lizards sat atop of…

They’re riding carnosaurs! Incredulous hysteria spread towards the rest of them. No! Calm down Hervig! Focus. He waited until they were closer and noticed that the carnosaurs were… Small. The same size as their horses. They seemed to have bigger arms in proportion to their body. Lets just call them lil’ carnosaurs for now.

“Men! Prepare your handguns!” Swiftly, the men aimed and knocked their guns. “Wait till our lads pass then fire at will!”

Dozens of cracks split the air, causing dozens of the lizard cavalry to fall and trampled by their comrades behind them.

“Prepare to skirmish!”

Wait what! Wait! Don’t leave me behind! He trailed after them, hoping not to engage them in anyway. He looked back and jumped in fear as one of the little carnosaurs was literally on his heels! He tried to kick his horse to a gallop but was too late. It lunged and ducked and bit his horse’s leg, causing him to tumble down. Fortunately, he managed to land relatively unscathed.

Hervig frantically searched for his sword and hurriedly picked it up. He dodged a stone spear aimed at his neck and pulled the green lizard down from his mount and stabbed him. He furiously withdrew his sword and tried to behead the mount, but it managed to back off with its throat slashed open. Hervig looked satisfied by the scene and smirked.

“Milord! Watch out!”

He was about to be trampled but he sidestepped just on time. The outrider shot the lizard on top and Hervig sliced his mount’s right foot. He contemplated whether to let it live so it could be studied. Its weakness be sussed out but decided to end its misery and its shrieking.

He accepted a hand from the outrider and climbed his barded horse. Its armoured… This peasant must be rich. He tried to ask for his name but was interrupted.

More gunfire belched out and covered the battlefield with smoke and a musty scent of sulphur. More and more gunfire rang out along with more hooves beating the ground. That must be reinforcements. He looked at them and instantly frowned. Great. More pistoliers.

They expertly manoeuvred and surrounded the lizardmen. They pointed their pistols towards the two dozen survivors, and one of the nobles came out and demanded their surrender in reikspiel.

The lizardmen hissed and roared. Many threw their spear in desperation which killed and wounded many of the pistoliers. In response, a combination of pistol and handgun fire shredded the remaining survivors. Not one survived.

“Milords! Thank you fer comin’! But I’m afraid that there’s more ahead. Lizard-things with shields and spears are marching towards Nahrstadt.”

The company commander of the reinforcements nodded. “I’ll be taking command for now. You’ve done an excellent job for a peasant.”

He gave a whole litany of orders and the host moved again. They approached a hill and looked down towards the growing village. They saw the militia spearmen, behind a hastily built earthen wall, battling against the armoured lizardmen. Some owning a firearm of their own and desperately aiming and shooting down. Their height gave the imperials an advantage but not a lot. Hervig saw several of them being pulled down and had their necks crushed by lizard claws or stabbed by their primitive spears.

The host charged on and gave the lizardmen two whole volleys from their flanks. The pistoliers withdrew their sabre and charged ahead. They mercilessly cut their backs down and stabbed through several ranks of lizards.

Like I said. Those nobles are stupid. Bunch of glory hounds seeking honour and fame. Those idiots remind me of brettonian knights. And who charges against an enemy with spears when you’re on a horse? Hervig observed with incredulity and growing sense of dread.

They turned back and pointed their spears. Several of them were pierced and died straight away. Some had their horses stabbed and they tumbled down, only to be stampeded by lizard savages. Some were smart and immediately withdrawn.

“Outriders! With me! Rescue those fools!” The Captain shouted.

The outrider looked back at Hervig and asked for permission to charge. He’s telling me to get off his horse. May as well oblige him.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue. What’s your name my good man?”

“Me names is Martin, milord!” He sped off.

Martin, huh? I best remember that name. I owe him something.

The outriders shot and shot. Leaving a huge gap within their ranks, freeing more pistoliers. The lizard spearmen hesitated and wavered, which caused the men on top of the wall to be emboldened. They jumped down and furiously stabbed. Some having a pistol and shot their load. The lizard invaders broke ranks and quickly ran for the jungle.

They were pursued by angry militiamen, outriders and pistoliers.

It’ll be useful to capture some of them alive. Maybe, one of the people in the Settler’s coast can speak their language. We need more information about them. Hervig hoped and silently urged them to temper their blood lust.

He took this opportunity to walk to the gate and carefully walked over the lizard corpses littered with arrows and bullet holes. He introduced himself and was let in by the guards who recognised him. He walked in and observed their expressions. He noticed some of them were shaken but most looked determined. As if they’ve been baptised with Sigmar’s holy flames. They were very determined to protect their homes and livelihoods. He looked around at the farms they were setting up. Some wheat and rye; mixed with New World crops. At some point this hamlet may grow into a village and into a town. There won’t be any space to grow crops inside the wall. They may be forced to farm outside without the protection of the wall and be harassed and killed by these savages. He hid grimace and tried to smile at everyone passing by.

He walked at the village square and saw medics tending to the wounded. Bandaging their arms and laying them to the ground. Several Shallyan priests supervised them. He asked one of them where the leader of the camp was and was directed towards a wooden lodge. The biggest building in the hamlet.

There he saw a giant of a man but not as big as Erick. Clean shaven and with a permanent scowl. He was busy wiping his blue stained sword. Hervig instinctively knew that negotiations with this man won’t be easy. “Hail ser…”

“Ser Adel.” He stopped what he was doing and stared at him. “And you are?”

“The Treasurer, ser Adel. I have been sent by Lord Stanhelm to – “

“To steal our gold? Let me just tell you one thing! My men found those treasures, and they deserve to keep it!” Adel demanded and huffed.

“No one is going to steal anything my good knight. That I can assure. Lord Stanhelm simply wants to buy those gold.”

The giant knight squinted and put his blade down at the table with the tip pointing towards Hervig. “Then what are you doing here? It’s my men’s choice to sell it. Let them come to New Altdorf to sell their wares.”

“I’m afraid that would be callous towards your men, ser. News may not have travelled to Nahrstadt or Nahrbodenstadt, but New Altdorf has been sieged. Hundreds of terrible predators descended upon the colony and started eating anything they see. Lizards that can bombard us with arrows that managed to blot out the sun! The scale of damage to the city is truly incomprehensible.” Hervig exaggerated.

“Just get to the point!”

“When we’ve broken the siege and killed them to their last, Lord Stanhelm was worried that you and your people maybe under attack. So, he amassed dozens cavalry units to come and relieve you.”

Hervig smiled brightly when he noticed Adel relaxing his scowl. “You’re here to come and relieve us and not be thieves in broad day light?”

“Of course, not Ser Adel! At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. We can’t treat loyal subjects to the Empire like that.” Thank the gods and goddesses that he doesn’t know I’m a Marienburger. “I’m simply here to take safe custody of the gold and other priceless relics you’ve found – “

Adel slammed the table and stood up and imperiously stared at Hervig. “You said you were going to buy them! Now you’re admitting of stealing- “

“Please don’t interrupt me, my good knight. This place isn’t exactly secure from raiders and invaders, as you may know from just a few minutes ago.” He paused to see Adel’s expression. Not exactly pleased. But not furious. I can work with this. “Lord Stanhelm wants to rectify that. He wants to do this without increasing your taxes and placing undue burdens on your people. He wants to build watch towers along the road, stables and barracks with a training ground.” He will build them… Eventually. Just not now. Klaus will probably spend it on building a stone wall and finishing that forging district… But he doesn’t need to know that.

“That doesn’t change anything! My men who found those are the ones you should be asking. Not me.”

“You underestimate your value my good knight. Only say the word and they will obey you. You are the leader of this forward camp, a position given to you by Lord Stanhelm.” Hervig politely reminded him.

He paused and continued cleaning his sword. “They can only obey if I give them reassurances. Compensation is what I think you and your merchant friends will say.” He finally relented.

“Its only fair ser Adel. For you are fair and just.” Hervig paused and nodded sincerely at him. “I’ve got contacts with the people in Settler’s coast and several merchant companies back at the Old World. They all desire New World trinkets, relics and gold. They will likely pay a handsome amount of money for the treasures your men have found. I’m willing to give your men five percent of the money gained from those sales.”

“Percent?” Adel asked.

Hervig desperately hid a grin. His mind was swimming in joy. It was worth it! I may have nearly died at the jaws of that tiny carnosaur. But it was worth it! He doesn’t know basic arithmetic! He placed a hand in his mouth and coughed. “My apologies. That’s a tilean term. It means for every hundredth… Let’s say gold, that I’ve made by selling the treasures. I would give twenty-five back to your men.” I would give five back to your men. “Not only that! Lord Stanhelm would be glad to give your people steel ploughs, with beasts of burden to drive them, scythes and other tools your people need for their livelihood. Along with several companies of state troops stationed to reinforce Nahrstadt. All that, without raising their taxes.”

A pregnant silence engulfed the room.

“I’ll try relay your terms to them. But don’t expect them all to agree!”

“Me and Lord Stanhelm have huge trust in your abilities to persuade your subjects. If you continue your efforts, he may grant you some land and officially make you a mayor. So, please give it your all!”

Hervig happily left the room and wondered around the hamlet. He went to the lonely tree sat atop a low hill and promptly collapsed into it. He tried to think and did his signature praising of the accepted gods and goddesses. This was a busy day! A lot of things happened! The forging district got attacked, Nahrstadt got sieged and we lifted it. Now, I’ve swindled a knight. For the Empire? For the Empire! His breathing was steady, and he realised his eyes started to get heavy. He slowly dozed off.

A few hours past by and no one bothered to wake the Treasurer up, until the outriders came back from their pursuit. With several lizardmen in toe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chicahua has never seen anything like this before. Not once in his life can something so magicless produce that much power. Huge belch of fire came out of their strange blowtubes and those humans didn’t even blow on it. Instead they simply pulled a lever. He willed his mind to compare the human sorcery to the ones he knew. He remembered that the Slann of Tlaxtlan, a fire mage priest, can conjure up large fireballs and hurl them into hundreds of pieces. But… Something was strange. He may not be a mage priest nor a slann, but he can feel magic. Those blowtubes didn’t have magic.

He may have been one of the youngest Saurus Oldbloods, but he still lived for nearly a millenium. Not once in a thousand years has he seen great power coming from inanimate objects. Not even the darts that skinks use can penetrate a saurus’ skin! Yet those can!

The Oldblood slumped down and took a good look at his tattered army. His saurus held stone spears. His skinks had no armour and their blowtubes were sometimes unreliable. Chicahua couldn’t help but curse his youth. If he was older, he would be more experience and much richer! Rich enough to afford well-crafted metal for his spearmen and some armour for his skinks. He realised that his salamander hunting packs have been reduced to a few dozen.

I guess I have to report my failure to the Slann… I’ve failed to contain the invaders. I deserve every humiliation coming for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The lord of Hexoatl meditated in his golden palanquin. His saurus Temple Guards stood nearby and dutifully observed their lord.

A blue ray of pure energy surrounded him, and it rippled a few times. He was disturbed. He sensed something disturbing. Not of the raw disorder that is symbolic of Chaos. But… Something that can’t be identified. He didn’t know if it was chaos or good, light or dark. He didn’t know what it was.

Mazdamundi was furious. The most active mage priest across the Lizardmen Empire and he couldn’t figure what it was. He has spent centuries in isolation surrounded by past relics and studying the history before the Great Catastrophe. Before the foul incursion of chaos has invaded the world. Yet he couldn’t decipher what this irregular but subtle change in magic was.

As a self-proclaimed guardian of the divine order, he will do anything that’s necessary to rectify this unknown. No matter how insignificant it is.

He lifted his palanquin, which startled his Temple Guards, and soared through the sky. The mage priest passed through a vent and exited the grand pyramid. He emitted pure energy and magic as his eyes glowed bright yellow. He looked far and wide for anything. From a twin red tail comet to a vortex. Anything that would signify an omen. He looked at the sky, space, land and sea. Yet he found none.

Whatever this is, may be more dangerous than Chaos! More of a threat to the Great Plan! It must be destroyed. For this anomaly was not part of the Plan ordained by the Old Ones!