There did seem to be a sinister pattern there, which would appear to minds less enlightened than Thanquol’s own to implicate him in something. But he knew that for once in his long and intrigue-filled life he was not responsible. He had done nothing, had not even spoken to Lurk since they arrived in the great crater of Hell Pit.

He considered his words with care. “Perhaps your elders have done something to displease the Horned Rat. Perhaps he has withdrawn his favour from them.”

Grottle chuckled again. “This echoes rather too accurately what your partner has been telling our skavenslaves.”

Thanquol was outraged. How dare this fat fool suggest there might be anything like equality between himself and a mere skaven warrior? “Lurk Snitchtongue is not my partner. He is my minion!”

“So, you admit that you are the mastermind behind this agitator then?” Izak Grottle said, nodding his head as if this merely confirmed his suspicions.

Thanquol bit his tongue. He had walked right into that trap. What was going on here? Why was his mind so cloudy? Why did he lack his usual cunning? It was almost as if he were under some spell. His thoughts had been a bit muddy since his capture by the Chaos horde. An enchanter whose mind was less well protected than Thanquol knew his to be would have suspected he had been ensorcelled. Fortunately in Thanquol’s case this was an impossibility. No mere humans could possibly have warped his thoughts… could they?

“No! No! My former lackey!” he said. “I have nothing to do with this uprising.”

Grottle gave him a look that combined frank disbelief and culinary appraisal. Thanquol shuddered. Surely not even Izak Grottle would dare devour a grey seer? The massive skaven moved ever closer. Thanquol did not like the glint in his eye. But just as Grottle came within striking distance the door to the chamber opened and a group of wizened, ancient-looking skaven strode in. Instantly Grey Seer Thanquol and Izak Grottle threw themselves onto their bellies and abased themselves.

One of the ancient skaven’s voices rasped out. “Grey Seer Thanquol, get up! You have much to explain and little time to do so. Your former minion has brought our city to the brink of civil war, and we have need of your counsel in dealing with him.”

Thanquol trembled and tried to restrain himself from squirting the musk of fear. Then the ancient one’s words sank in. They needed his help. Their city seethed on the verge of anarchy. Here was a lever that might be used to open the doors of his prison, a key which he might use to get his freedom.

Suddenly, the situation seemed very promising.

 

THREE



Felix clambered to the top of the watchtower near the Gargoyle Gate. He was surprised no one tried to stop him. The guards recognised him from the fight at the gate, and his association with Gotrek, and they did not mind him being here. A gold crown slipped to their commander had ensured that.

Gotrek and Ulrika were right behind him. They were just as interested in the arrival of the Chaos horde as he was.