Warhammer-The Daemon's Gate Trilogy 01-Day of the Daemon by Aaron Rosenberg

Author:Aaron Rosenberg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Library
Published: 2006-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

They set out at dawn, riding hard to stay ahead of the soldiers von Drasche would certainly send after them. That night Adelrich scouted along the River Hundleir until he found a place narrow enough for them to cross. The others busied themselves repacking their gear, adjusting bags and packs on top of their saddles instead of alongside to keep them dry during the crossing. Everyone avoided glancing at Renke’s horse, or the tightly wrapped figure bound across its saddle.

When Adelrich returned he led the way towards the riverbank, and one by one the men guided their mounts into the water, alternately walking and swimming across the cold, swift Hundleir. Finally Adelrich dragged himself onto the opposite bank, the last of the party to cross, and they all collapsed on the grass, grateful to be beyond von Drasche lands at last.

They did not lie about long, however. Within the hour Alaric had roused the others and, adjusting their gear a second time, they mounted up and rode away. The forest here was thicker, but Adelrich possessed an uncanny sense of direction and kept them riding north-east, towards the Reik. At last they emerged near the town of Arzbach, not far from Carroburg itself. Dietz negotiated passage on a river barge, and soon they were on the water again. It was as peaceful as the boat ride they had taken to reach the Hundleir, though now for different reasons. By evening they had passed back through Carroburg’s gates, and led their mounts quietly through the streets, ignoring the obvious questions on the faces of everyone who saw them and their grisly burden. Renke had kept meticulous notes of their journey, including the address of Carroburg’s chapter of the Geographers’ Guild, and they headed there immediately, wending their way through the city’s many layers.

Carroburg’s resident geographer, a tall, florid man named Hanser, showed genuine grief at the sight of Renke’s body. He took the little geographer’s maps and notes with reverence, and promised to treat them with the care they deserved. He also offered to make arrangements for Renke’s burial, and the travellers were only too happy to leave their fallen companion with him. They left soon after.

Fastred secured rooms for the night while Adelrich saw to the horses and Kristoff inquired about ferries farther down the Reik. That left Dietz, Alaric, and Kleiber to find supplies. They spent the rest of the day examining, tasting, haggling, buying and carrying back various packages, forcing themselves to concentrate on these everyday activities. By evening, when they gathered in the common room of the inn where they were staying, Adelrich had found a boat leaving two days later for Nuln and booked them passage.

The next day was far too idle for anyone’s good. Left to their own devices, no one could help thinking about Renke and his death, and the maps he would never finish. These thoughts haunted Dietz and Alaric in particular. Someone had killed Renke, someone in their own party, but

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