Slaves to Darkness 01 (The Claws of Chaos) by Warhammer

Author:Warhammer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Published: 2011-10-16T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Conspiracy

Badenhof, Winter early 1709

Marius stared in disbelief at Ursula as the two of them sat in a secluded antechamber of the shrine, while outside his men combined forces with the watch to drive out the mob who had piled in through the doors following Ursula's simple statement.

Mastering his anger, he stood up and started to pace back and forth across the small room, looking at the faded mosaics of the triumphs of Sigmar that adorned the floor.

'I'm sorry.' Ursula said. 'He asked me a direct question and I had sworn not to lie. What else was I to do?'

'You did not mention this in our conversation at the gaol, or at any other time.' Marius replied heavily. 'You've played straight into their hands, you realise that? You have played me for a fool as well, it seems.'

'I have faith that Sigmar will see me prevail over my enemies.' Ursula said. 'I did not mention it because there is nothing wrong with it. Believe me, I knew this would happen, that I would end up on trial if this came out, but I am not evil. It is Sigmar who talks to me, nothing else!'

'Well, you'll need a bloody miracle now,' said Ruprecht, pushing through the doorway. 'The church has been emptied. You're to remain under guard here, Marius has to go to the town hall to speak to the burgomeister and the guildmaster. One of our men is here as well, for your protection.'

'Say nothing to anyone,' warned Marius. 'Pray if you like, but say nothing to anyone else.'

'I will pray,' Ursula said with a nod.

With a last glance, Marius closed the door behind him before stalking out of the shrine. Outside the mob was still in full voice, shouting derisive comments at him and Ruprecht as Marius's men literally beat a path through the crowd. A wagon was waiting for them by the shrine's main gates and they jumped aboard as a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.

'Does it seem odd to you that the town councillors, particularly the burgomeister, have failed to attend such an important trial,' Marius said to Ruprecht as the drivers whipped the horses into a canter that had the cart bouncing and swaying over the uneven stones of the road.

'Aye, I smell something for sure,' agreed Ruprecht, pulling his hood up to ward off the growing rain. Marius did not notice the worsening weather, so lost was he in his dark thoughts. Neither of them said any more as the wagon clattered along the Sigmarstrasse to the central square.

Leaping off in front of the town hall, the pair found a small detachment of the watch awaiting them. The five men guided them through the huge oak doors into a reception hall beyond, lit by a massive chandelier that hung from a ceiling covered in peeling gold leaf. Down a corridor they were led, into the bowels of the council chambers, until they were brought before the burgomeister himself. He was seated behind a low desk ornamented with all manner of strange artefacts.

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