From the Shadows

  “So there I was,” the slim figure in a black robe muttered, forcing a smile, while spilling some ale on the table, “in the belltower, the one near the cemetery.”

  The other man, large, clad in hardened leather and with a nasty-looking mace at his side, squinted. “You look like shite. What happened?”

  “I was minding my own business, as usual.”

  “Your own business?” the other snorted, “Sigmar curse the day you be telling the truth. You were looking for something to steal, weren’t you? Come on Sigmund, skip the lies.”

  “We are friends, Walter, right?” Sigmund replied.

  “Friends?” Walter boasted “Since when? You come to me, when you need something. What mess did you get yourself into this time?”

  “I saw something!”

  “Everybody sees something in Mordheim,” Walter chuckled.

  Sigmund leaned closer, his voice short of a whisper “Something saw me back!”

  Walter flashed a wicked smile “Ah that’s it, you need protection? Well you’ve come to the right man – but it will cost ya!”

  “O-of course,” Sigmund muttered.

  “Go ahead then, talk”

  Sigmund took another sip of ale, his eyes darting around the Peg-Legged Sue

  “I spotted a glow below. Between the graves.”

  “Wyrdstone” Walter said flatly.

  “No, it was different …. I could not look away,” Sigmund replied, paused for another sip.

  “Oh come on Sigmund,” Walter growled” I haven’t got all night! Get to the point!”

  “Alright, Alright, I saw movement. A single figure between the graves. Moving impossibly fast. Then ghastly moaning in the alley below. Something was moving near me. I looked down and … “ Sigmund took another sip, his hand shaking. “…and… the living dead, Walter! Just below me. Sigmar save me!”

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  “Don’t waste my time, Sigmund”, Walter snarled “don’t tell me you believe those tales?”

  “I saw them, Walter. A good dozen of them! Right below me. I was trapped. I couldn’t move, just stare down into the streets below.” Sigmund’s trembling hand reached for Walter’s. “Believe it or not, …

  “All right, but you are here, so they did not get you. Doesn’t seem like too much trouble to me” Walter snickered.

  “That was not the worst of it!”

  “What? Did Sigmar himself smite them down?”

  “No … they were not alone. They started fighting?” All colours had left Sigmund’s face.

  “Well, that is good then, but it was probably just a band of drunkards having a good beat down, it happens”

  “Oh no… no… no… no… the Others. They were … vermin of sorts. First Giant Rats, then things … things that walked on two legs … but they were not men … no” Sigmund took a deep sip from his ale.

  Walter silenced Sigmund “Are you insane? You know well enough, that those things don’t exist.” And with a hushed voice he said: “Go on but keep your voice down!”

  Sigmund whispered “They fought. Then there was green fire and dark smoke … it seemed unnatural. The air was prickling, I tell you. But the Undead did not waver until … “

  “Until what?” Walter asked. “Until that thing crashed into them!”

  “What thing?”

  Sigmund started sobbing “I don’t know, Walter. It was large and hideous. Tubes and metal, fangs and claws … . Its shriek, I can still hear its shriek. Damn me … why did I go there, why?”

  “What happened next?” Walter whispered.

  “That thing! It crashed into the living dead. I could not … I ran …. Walter, I ran. Down the stairs. Almost fell. I looked down. I could not see the fight anymore, but I could hear them.” Sigmund downed his ale.

  “So you got out … obviously” Walter drummed his fingers on the table

  “There were yet others. Armoured men, but they didn’t do anything. Then I heard the scream below. A man being eaten by wolves. Right before my eyes. Then a flash of bright light from the graveyard. Suddenly all was silent. I bolted.

  “Well that sound’s like quite the story,” Walter whistled. “But you said something saw you?”

  “Out in the alleys. Glowing eyes in the dark, following me. Squeaking. I ran like hell.”

  “And you came here? Are you insane?” Walter snarled.

  “Where else would I go? Walter, I need your help.” Sigmund pleaded.

  Walter looked at him, a smile danced around his lips. “That can be helped.”

  Sigmund exhaled in relief “Thank you!”

  “Let’s get you out of here, quick!” Walter pulled Sigmund off the stool and pushed him right out the door.

  “Where are we going?” Sigmund asked as Walter navigated him away from the Peg Legged Sue into some dark alleys.

  “You will see” Walter replied and started whistling a random tune. “Now you go ahead; I will be right behind you” he said and pointed down a small alley”

  “Al… alright” Sigmund muttered and went ahead. Walter waited. He looked up at the small buildings and saw a shadow rushing by. Then a gurgling, bubbling sound and the sound of someone collapsing. He waited.

  Something hurtled from the shadows and landed right before his feet. It made a clinking sound. He bent down to pick up a bag of coins. “Always a pleasure dealing with you”

  From the shadows of the alley a squeaking voice replied “Yes, Yes – keep silence, yes”

  Walter turned around, and for an instant his conscience stirred. He wondered what was heavier: his conscience or the bag full of gold. He smiled. Definitely the gold.