by ich du
'What are you doing?' she screamed.
'Rescuing you, now shut up!' snapped Kurt, lunging once more at Marius.
'Leave him be, he was trying to protect me!' Ursula shouted in his ear, but he ignored her.
Marius just sat there, dazed by the blow to his cheek, while Ruprecht interposed himself between the knight and the witch hunter.
At that moment, a short wiry man emerged from the throng, a bloodied knife in one hand.
'We go now!' he shouted, dragging Kurt away by the shoulder and the three of them disappeared into the turmoil.
'After him!' screamed Marius, throwing himself into the mass of fighting men, indiscriminately striking left and right with his sword.
Ruprecht lunged after him and grabbed his collar, hauling him back out of harm's way.
'Have you gone mad?' the big man said, dragging the struggling witch hunter back up the steps. 'What's got into you?'
'Leitzig!' snarled Marius, gazing at the armoured figure cutting through the throng and escaping. He was still dazed from Kurt's blow. 'That's Baron Leitzig.'
'Who?' Ruprecht demanded, pulling Marius further up the steps.
'No, not the baron,' Marius said, wiping at the blood dribbling from his split lip. 'He's the son of Baron Leitzig. I didn't register the name earlier, but seeing him face to face, I'm sure it's him. That man must be the son of Baron Leitzig.'
'And just who is Baron Leitzig?' asked Ruprecht, following Marius's gaze and seeing the retreating back of the Osterknacht knight.
'He's the daemon-worshipper I killed for murdering my wife,' Marius replied, his face a mask of hatred.
URSULA WAS PROTESTING loudly, but Kurt ignored her. He flung her over Heldred's back and mounted quickly with the help of Jakob, who then ran off in search of his own stolen steed. Already the horrific rat creatures were running down the street after them. The sea of red eyes and pointed teeth came rushing towards them, it was like nothing he had seen before. Terrified by the rat swarm, Heldred whinnied and broke into a gallop with the merest touch of Kurt's spurs, and the three of them raced down the street. At the next junction Jakob joined them. Letting go of his reins, he unslung his bow, nocked an arrow and turned in the saddle. The arrow flew straight into the chest of one of the pursuing creatures, spinning it into the beast skittering forward alongside. Turning a corner, they disappeared from view and sped towards the town gates as fast as they could.
BOOK TWO
CHAPTER ONE
Northwards
Kislev, Autumn 1709
URSULA WAS TIRED and cold. As far as she could see, the desolate, icy wasteland stretched in every direction, broken only by thin, scattered woods and rocky outcrops. She stood at the mouth of a small shelter formed by three boulders atop one another, leaving a space inside just big enough for the three of them to light a fire and lie down for some sleep. She had no idea how the stones had come to be in the middle of the snowy plain, but the faint remains of carvings inside suggested that it was by human, or inhuman, hands.
She pulled her furs tighter around her shoulders as the strong wind eddied around the rocks in a gust that set her hair flapping across her face. She could hear the droning of Jakob's voice echoing from inside and she grimaced to herself. She was reluctant to go back in and listen to the blasphemies that he was trying to teach Kurt, and she knew she would get angry if she did so. But it was bitterly cold out here and hunger gnawed at her empty stomach. Making her decision, she turned and ducked inside.
The small fire was enough to warm the inside of the cave, allowing her to shrug off the furs and use them as a cushion to sit on. Kurt and Jakob were sitting on the other side of the fire, talking to each other in low tones. She tried to ignore them, but with no other distraction found herself listening in to the conversation.
'And Kjarl was great warrior of our people.' Jakob was saying. 'Khar gifted him with the strength of a bear and he led many raids against neighbouring people.'
'You have mentioned Khar many times, but often speak of there being many gods,' said Kurt.
'There many gods, yes,' Jakob said. 'I speak of warriors, and Khar their god. He gives strength and bravery, and in battle, we call on him. But there is also Slaeresh, and in the bed and at the council fire we ask for him. Jaenz is the god of shamans and leaders, and he sees all we do. Many worship him, but few are cunning enough to prosper, for Jaenz changes favours often. Last of the great gods is Nierg, and he brings sickness and to him we offer sacrifice to look away from our children. The men you fought here last winter, they were men of Nierg.'
'These gods you speak of are abhorrent things, worthy only of hate,' spat Ursula. 'I have heard of them but they are known by different names in civilised lands. The blood god, the dark prince, the lord of change and the lord of decay. Barbaric, bestial things that are best forgotten. Kurt, why do you let him fill your head with this?'
'My gods are strong, where is Sigmar when you need him?' Jakob taunted her.
'Sigmar sent you and Kurt to me,' she replied, turning away. 'Perhaps if you had not interfered he may have saved me another way.'
'Will you two stop bickering?' exclaimed Kurt, getting to his feet. 'I have had to listen to you arguing for months now.'
'Must you encourage him though?' complained Ursula. 'You never ask me about Sigmar.'
'I have had Sigmar rammed down my throat since I was a child,' Kurt said. 'What has he ever done to alleviate the burdens of my life? I saw my family killed, and I almost lost you. In fact, Sigmar has done nothing for me.'
'Exactly!' said Jakob, punctuating his remark with a waved fist. 'Fight in his armies and he gives you nothing. You see our warriors. They are brave and strong, and the gods bless them.'
'Kurt, you know I don't like this, why do you always take his side?' said Ursula.
The former knight crossed over the cave and laid an arm across Ursula's shoulders.
'I left the Osterknacht, rode through wind and snow and rescued you from the jaws of death.' he pointed out. 'What more proof do you need that I love you?'
'And now what are we doing?' she said, shrugging off his arm and stepping away. 'I am cold. I am tired. I am hungry. Why have you brought me to this Sigmar-forsaken place? What love is that?'
'What else was I to do?' exclaimed Kurt, throwing up his hands. 'How many times do I have to tell you? We had to leave the Ostermark, that devil van Diesl would have found us anyway. We couldn't go to Ostland, we can't cross the mountains, so that left north. Why do you keep asking me the same question?'
'Because I still don't know where we're going.' replied Ursula, flopping back down on her furs and hanging her head. 'I want to know when we can stop running.'
'We head north.' Jakob said. 'I take you to my people.'
'What?' Kurt said sharply. 'I never agreed to that! Your people threw you out, what makes you think I want to go there, or that they'll take you back?'
'I bring wisdom.' declared Jakob. 'I spend time in the south. You be great warrior that I also bring to them. We shall be welcome as chosen of the gods.'
'I am not going to Norsca.' Ursula stated coldly.
'No, we're not.' Kurt assured her, darting an angry glance at Jakob. 'We'll find somewhere to hide for the winter and then head south again.'
'I know town, not far.' Jakob told them. 'Tungask, hunters and traders, some of my people, some of Kislev there.'
'So we winter in Tungask, head east to the mountains and go south again.' declared Kurt. 'Marius will never find us; we'll head to Stirland. The whole province is in ruins anyway, we can start afresh there.'
'You said that about Novestok, and Marius almost caught up with us.' said Ursula with a disconsolate sigh. 'And the same about Verigrad.'
'Yes, but it's been summer.' Kurt said. 'Three people like us can move in the winter, but Marius and the Osterknacht cannot. I learnt that last year.'
'And what sort of reception will we get in this town?' asked Ursula.
'We safe there.' Jakob a
ssured them. 'Peaceful town.'
'How far is it?' Kurt asked, moving over to sit down next to Ursula.
'Not sure.' admitted Jakob. 'Perhaps two days, perhaps week.'
'And you're sure you can find it?' Kurt continued.
'I am.' Jakob said. 'I have ways of knowing things; things the gods tell me.'
'But why do we have to run like this?' Ursula asked. 'I keep trying to tell you that Marius is our ally. He defended me, and it was Marius who tried to make sure my trial was fair.'
'It was just a trap, to lure me in, I'm sure.' Kurt said. 'Fourteen years and he's still hunting me, is he a madman?'
'I still say we should turn back and submit to the mercy of Sigmar.' Ursula told them. 'We have done nothing wrong. It would be better than this self-imposed exile. I thought I had a home, and we were going to get married. Now I feel like I am just wandering again, not sure where my life will end up and I don't know why.'
'Sigmar perhaps show mercy because he is weak like all your gods, but not van Diesl.' snorted Jakob. 'Cut our throats when he see us.'
'Jakob's right.' said Kurt. 'The man is evil. I told you what he did to my family, and you still think he would show us any kind of justice. And what about the Osterknacht? We know they have given him men, we saw them. Do you think they would deal kindly with two deserters and murderers?'
'You brought that on yourself!' Ursula said scornfully. 'You are the madman. What got into your head to make you run off like that? And killing those knights? The Kurt I first met would not have done that.'
'I did it for you!' Kurt said plaintively. 'I knew you were in danger. How many times must I say this?'
'And I'm not in danger now?' Ursula snapped.
'You have good man.' Jakob butted in. 'You not see that?'
'I had a good man.' Ursula replied, with a look at Kurt, who was staring into the flames of the low fire. 'You've done something to him, he's changed.'
'I am here, you know!' Kurt said suddenly, his distraction broken. 'Don't talk about me as if I wasn't. We're all tired, and I suggest we get some sleep and not head out too early in the morning. Some extra rest will heal some of the ills we feel.'
IT WAS FIVE days later when they came across a tributary to the Lynsk. They had been forced to sell the horses in Novestok and had travelled on foot ever since. The going had been hard, over rough, inhospitable terrain. Jakob had taught them how to hunt and set snares, and Kurt and Ursula had become adept at skinning the foxes, hares and other animals they had caught. They were exhausted and hungry still. The last time they had any quantity of food had been over a month ago, when Jakob had managed to bring down a small deer with his bow. The one consolation that Kurt felt was that any difficulties they were facing were multiplied many times over for Marius and his men.
In Verigrad, the three of them had been staying in the small fishing town for barely a few days when knights of the Osterknacht had ridden in, searching for them. Jakob had reported that they were as weary as the fugitives, demanding food from the locals for dozens of men. They had fled that night, hoping that the knights would not be too eager to pursue them, and it seemed to have proven true.
However, twenty days later in Novestok they had rested again and had considered staying for a while. Their money from the horses was enough to get them board and food for several weeks if necessary. But four days after arriving, a scouting party from Marius's band had arrived. It was only four men, and Jakob and Kurt had ambushed them the next morning as they rode back out of town. They would have taken the horses if they could, but the locals interfered and they were forced to flee again.
'Maybe west of here.' stated Jakob, standing by the stream and looking around.
'Maybe?' said Ursula. 'You don't sound very confident.'
'Ursula's right.' Kurt added. 'Is it west or is it east?'
'Look around!' snapped Jakob. 'What you see?'
Kurt gazed over the wintry landscape. The low cloud spread from horizon to horizon and the only features were some rising hills to the north.
'I don't see anything in particular.' Kurt said.
'You find small town in north of Kislev with no landmarks?' asked Jakob. 'No roads here to follow. These are not my lands, but we are closer to them. I tell you the gods show me the way, but you do not believe me.'
'Yes, you're right.' Kurt apologised. 'We head west. If nothing else that will lead us towards the Lynsk and the coast where we can perhaps find somewhere, even if it isn't Tungask.'
With a dark look at Kurt and Ursula, Jakob shouldered his pack and started off to the left, walking along the bank of the stream. The two of them watched him for a while before following.
'Why do you hate Jakob so much?' Kurt asked. Ursula didn't answer for a while and they tramped on in silence.
'He scares me.' she admittedly finally. 'The things he says, the way he looks at me, the way he looks at you. I don't trust him.'
'But he's looked after us well, he could have left us any time he liked.' Kurt pointed out.
'But why?' Ursula said pointedly. She had never been happy with Jakob's explanation that he wanted to leave the Osterknacht and had looked to Kurt for protection. He seemed more than capable of fending for himself, more than either Kurt or herself could in this barren wilderness. 'He admitted the other night that he wants to go back to Norsca. He's using you as a trophy.'
'He's never lied about that to me.' said Kurt. 'He thinks I am marked by the gods and he wants to stay close to me.'
'His gods are vile.' Ursula spat. 'I saw him writing symbols on the ground with rabbit's blood. Did you see the things he carved from that deer's horns? They were dark symbols, unholy things!'
'And how would you know?' Kurt asked. 'When did you become such a scholar?'
'You know what he talks about, about the gods of the north.' she said fearfully, glancing around as if the mere mention of the gods of Chaos would bring doom down upon her and Kurt. 'I've heard about them in prayer sessions, the tales that the priests tell of the Dark Gods who will damn your soul. You have seen the creatures that live at the roof of the world, the sort of men that worship the gods of the north. You cannot want to be like them!'
'I would rather believe Jakob than the mutterings of old priests who have never seen the things of which they speak.' Kurt said, gazing into the icy waters of the brook. 'You should listen to what he says. I have never had much time for any gods, but if you listen to him, you will see why I believe him. These are harsh lands, and further north it is even worse. His people are crude, I grant you that. But they are strong, not just in body but in mind and faith. Remember, I have fought these people. I have seen them, has van Diesl? They may have brutal gods, but these are brutal times and brutal places.'
'But you said they were tainted.' Ursula argued. 'How can you worship a god that does that to his people?'
'How can I worship a god that allowed you to come to such harm?' countered Kurt. 'You have been faithful and fervent your whole life, and yet Sigmar has watched on as you were cast out from town after town, ridiculed, reviled, and beaten.'
'There is something I must tell you.' Ursula said quietly, and the tone of her voice caused Kurt to stop.
'What is it?' he said.
Ursula hesitated. Could she really trust Kurt with her secret? The thought made her almost burst out laughing. It was no secret since the trial, she had stood there and admitted it to everyone in that church. If she could do that, then surely she could tell her loved one. Feeling more confident, she took a deep breath, looked Kurt square in the eye.
'Sigmar has guided me.' she told him, examining his face for some sign of horror or disgust. 'I sometimes have visions.'
'Visions?' asked Kurt, looking interested but not unduly worried. 'What sort of visions?'
'Visions.' Ursula said simply, slightly disappointed by Kurt's lack of reaction. She had expected surprise, awe, loathing, but not indifference. 'Like waking dreams. He warns me and guides me. You don't seem at all bothered by it.'<
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'And when was the last of these visions?' Kurt asked, ignoring her question and looping his arm through hers. He started walking again, but she held him back.
'Don't you believe me? Are you mocking me?' she said, a scowl creasing her brow.
'No!' Kurt replied with a shake of his head. 'I believe you, and I want to know all about it. But if we don't walk we'll lose sight of Jakob.'
Indeed, the Norscan was disappearing over the crest of a hill some distance ahead now, forging forward with some speed. The two of them broke into a brisk hike to try to catch up.
'So, when was the last vision you had?' Kurt asked again.
'Back when I was in prison.' Ursula told him and paused before continuing. 'Aren't you angry that I kept this secret from you?'
'I may have done things I regret these past few months, but I have yet to turn into a hypocrite.' he said with a bitter smile. 'It would be unfair of me to judge you when I kept so much secret as well. Let's just be open with each other from now on, eh?'
'Yes, let's.' she replied with a smile, hugging Kurt's arm tighter.
IT WAS MID-AFTERNOON the next day when Jakob let out a laugh and pointed to a dense forest a few miles distant.
'Tungask, other side of trees.' he said with a grin. 'You trust me now?'
'When we're sat in front of fire with some food in our stomachs, I'll be more forgiving.' Ursula said.
'How much further?' Kurt asked, eyeing the forest. 'It looks quite large.'
'We cut through corner.' Jakob said, indicating the southwest outskirts of the wood where the setting sun glittered on the winding trail of the stream. 'Be there just after night falls.'
'Good, then let's keep the pace up.' Kurt said, striding ahead.
They reached the edges of the trees as the sun was setting. Tall pines rose up into the sky far above their heads, and between their trunks was a thin carpet of bracken and ferns. At first the going was fast, the undergrowth little hindrance as they followed the course of the stream. However, as darkness fell, the way became more obstructed until finally they had to abandon the watercourse as they could no longer negotiate the tangle of roots and leaves that snaked across their route. Turning slightly southwards and then west again, they tried to keep the stream in sight as much as possible, but the ground rose and fell steeply in places and soon Kurt thought they were lost.
