Hans frowned as he recalled the forced change of clothes. He'd never liked dressing to please others. That meal, which should have been an opportunity to enjoy a well-prepared meal, became a mockery. He couldn't concentrate on his plate, with the discomfort of the clothes pressing down on him and the constant feeling that everyone in the room was watching him too closely.
The road to the winery on the north end of town was dark, the only light coming from the streetlights swaying gently in the cool evening breeze. The rain had stopped, and the sun was high in the sky. Hans walked with a steady stride, his mind still processing what had happened.
The Skaven weren't just infiltrating, but their attempts to destabilize the Empire's cities, towns, and trade routes were already underway. Hans had been chasing rumors and signs of their presence for weeks, but now, clearly with the earl's caution, they had begun assassinating key figures. This would explain the Warden's absence.
"We've also detected their presence here," Yang said when they spoke that morning, sharing a map of Ostermark County, precisely marking the spots where suspicious activity had been detected.
The leader of Cathay had been clear: "The Skaven are taking action, even if the Earl were to gather his entire army, he would not have enough time to stop all the invasions in his county."
Hans knew the words were true. An Elector Count could easily count on an army of over five thousand men, but the rats always outnumbered them 10 to 1 to ensure their victories, and many cities would be burned to the ground.
It was then that a small vibration ran down his arm. A faint flash of light appeared before his vision, almost imperceptible, like a notification his mind was already accustomed to. Without even looking up into the air, his thoughts focused on what appeared before him.
System Activated: New Mission Detected
"The enemy is more dangerous than it seems. The time to act is now."
Mission: Destroy Skaven infiltration in Ostermark.
Condition: Identify the source of the invasion and neutralize it.
Reward: Increased Tactical Prowess. Unlocked Skill: Advanced Enemy Perception.
Penalty: Failure may result in the invasion spreading.
Ignoring the notification, Hans arrived at the cellar where he had agreed to meet Yang. When Hans walked through the door, he was greeted by Yang's tall figure, who was waiting inside, surrounded by maps and scrolls. Despite Yang's calm appearance, Hans could see the intensity in his gaze.
"Everything okay?" Hans asked, nodding slowly.
—Everything's fine, for now. But we're short on time. If what you've learned about them is true, this only indicates that the infiltration of the city is in its final stages. They're surrounding us. The Skaven have camouflaged themselves well... but we know they're close, —Yang replied, her voice leaving no room for doubt. —You're ready, aren't you?
Hans just nodded.
"There's just one more thing we need to do," Hans murmured, looking at the detailed map in front of him. He pulled out one of his own maps. It seemed to have already been worked through, thanks to a few smudges and scratches, and dozens of annotations. Everything seemed to connect to a central area near Durben.
"I didn't just come here to take revenge on some poor adventurers," Hans said in a cold tone.
Yang frowned upon hearing Hans's words. He imagined a man like Hans wouldn't do things just on impulse, but what was shown on the map seemed to go beyond what anyone could expect from a simple mission.
"What's that?" Yang asked, his tone serious, a hint of concern in his voice.
Hans didn't look up from the map, but his finger pointed toward a specific area, a spot marked with several red symbols, the same symbols repeated on every map of the region he'd crossed. The city of Durben was surrounded by more than a dozen small infiltration points, and Hans knew something much bigger was brewing.
"The Skaven aren't here just to destroy. This isn't a common attack. They're looking for something," Hans said, his voice laden with a mixture of determination and coldness. "Something in Durben."
Yang leaned closer to the map, her eyes focused on the symbols, trying to connect the puzzle pieces. The tension was palpable in the air.
"And what could be so important to them in that city?" Yang asked, clearly intrigued and concerned.
Hans finally looked up.
—An artifact... or an entrance. Something that will allow them to expand much faster. It's not just an invasion by some clan; I've faced more than two banners at some points.
Silence. Yang looked at Hans, immediately grasping the magnitude of what this implied. This wasn't just a matter of survival, but of control, of a far greater threat brewing in the shadows. That a single Skaven Clan managed to carry out a campaign was an achievement worthy of applause, but that two clans managed to do so only showed the value of what they sought to obtain.
"Then we can't wait for everyone to get together," Yang said, his tone serious as he considered their next steps. "What do you propose to do?"
Hans straightened, considering his options. So far, everything seemed to be going well. The Count's support would be good, but what he had most sought after was to be able to act without any interference.
—First, we must clear the path to these caves. Then, infiltrate and destroy everything the Skaven are trying to establish there. The Count promised me men, but he won't be able to manage more than a hundred at best in such a short time, and they'll all be militiamen.
Yang nodded. "Then we'll have to fend for ourselves at worst. Do you think their entrance is in the caves?"
—I'm still not entirely sure, but there have been rumors throughout town about miners getting lost along the way.
Yang frowned thoughtfully. He knew that rumors always carried a mixture of truth and exaggeration, but if the miners had really gotten lost near that area, it was a sign that something strange was going on.
"And what will you do once we get there?" Yang asked, looking at the map more closely. "If it's a network of tunnels like you're talking about, it'll be hard to destroy immediately. We can't attack without knowing exactly what we're up against."
Hans thought for a moment, evaluating the possibilities.
—The first thing we'll do is make sure there are no more surprises. We need to clear any potential ambushes before we move in. Then, we'll send out a small scouting party to see how deep this all goes. If the Skaven really are here, we'll have to act quickly. We can't afford to lose control of the situation.
Yang nodded slowly, understanding what Hans was suggesting. Caution was key, but so was speed. If something wasn't clear, they had to make sure they got more information without falling into the Skaven's trap.
—Understood. It's best to split up than to explore and secure the area. The men will stay outside, ready to intervene if necessary.
Hans nodded and put the map away. Then, looking at Yang with a slight smile, he said in a more relaxed tone:
—Looks like we agree. Best not to waste any more time.
Although Hans had agreed to meet with the Count tomorrow to begin preparations, it was best to clear out the rats that had already infiltrated the city as soon as possible.
Hours passed in the hold as they continued to go back and forth over their options until nightfall. Hans continued to stare at the map, calmly adjusting his armor as his eyes rested on the map once more. Yang, equally prepared, checked the supplies they would be taking before leaving, making sure everything they needed was at hand.
Hans put the map away with a quick movement and lightly rapped his knuckles on the table.
-Let's go.
Yang gathered a couple of scrolls and extinguished the oil lamp that lit the cellar. There was no need to discuss anything further. The city was asleep, or so it seemed.
They stepped out into the night, moving at a leisurely pace, like any other neighbors simply heading home late. Hans kept his eyes on the dark alleys, alert for any unusual movement.
When they reached the outskirts, near the old miners' trail, the atmosphere changed. The air was heavier, and overgrown brush hid paths that had once been traveled.
Hans bent down to examine the ground: drag marks, footprints that didn't belong to any forest animal.
"They're closer than I thought," he murmured.
Yang watched silently, waiting for the signal.
Hans stood up, checked that all his equipment was in place, and then they moved forward again, once again facing that filth.