Angelika Fleischer 3 - Liar's Peak by Warhammer

Author:Warhammer [Warhammer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Warhammer
Published: 2011-08-10T07:00:00+00:00

The plateau led to a switchback threading between two sharp peaks. Angelika walked its length for a quarter of a mile as the funeral rites were completed. Franziskus followed after her, and Filch tagged after him. Though perhaps well-suited for use by mountain deer, the trail seemed inauspicious. At its widest point, the flat surface between slopes was barely two and a half feet across. In many spots, there was no flat at all so the men would have to travel on an angle, their boot soles sideways on bare rock. The trail curved out of sight behind the rightward peak. It was impossible to tell where it terminated, and whether it led to a stretch of traversable terrain.

“Not such a bad trail,” said Filch.

“Maybe for you, hoof-foot,” said Angelika.

Franziskus thought she was being a little sharp with him, but Filch, taking her words as a complimentary, beamed and vigorously nodded his head.

“Jonas’ men will likely sprain some ankles getting through this.”

When the three of them returned, the company had mustered into formation. Angelika spoke to Franziskus, who approached Emil. Jonas strode up beside them, rubbing his hands together, projecting enthusiasm. A performance, Angelika assumed, for the benefit of his men.

But when he spoke it appeared that his attitude was genuine. “We’ve been dealt a terrible setback,” he said to Emil. “But now that fate has demonstrated her fickleness, we shall worm our way back into her good graces.” He glanced over his shoulder at the mounded rows of graves. “When we’ve distanced ourselves from this unlucky place, our fortunes will turn. We’ll find our nest of Kurgs and send them packing.” His hand whipped forth to grip and shake Angelika’s forearm. “And we’ll find you your lost property, Angelika. I swear it. What did you see, up ahead?”

“I thought we’d established a protocol,” she answered. “I talk to Franziskus, he talks to Emil?”

“Let us dispense with such nonsense. You were right, Angelika. Right all along. This is no place for protocol. Please, feel free to speak to me directly, when the safety of my men is at stake. You, too, Franziskus. Even you, sir halfling.” He looked down to address Filch and the half-man’s face opened up in adoration.

“In that case,” Angelika said, “you’ll need to break that column back down into single file.”

“A lengthening of our lines leaves us vulnerable, does it not?”

“The path’s sloped. There isn’t room for a double file to move without crashing into each other. The slopes are bare rock, so if anyone comes at us we’ll get plenty of warning. Not a spot I’d choose to ambush from, if I were a Kurg.”

Jonas waited for Emil’s nod of approval, then mimicked it.

“If it’s one long line, sir,” Emil ventured, “I’d say split the archers between front and back. Our scout, I trust, takes point position?”

Such is the price of increased trust, Angelika thought.

“If she will do it,” Jonas said.

“Yes, I will.”

“And I’ll be with her,” volunteered Franziskus.

“No,” said Jonas. “You and I will take a forward position, but after the first file of archers.

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