#101 The Obsidian Brethren of Sir Jean de Majeure

October 02, 2022

#101 The Obsidian Brethren of Sir Jean de Majeure

The tent flap opened, letting in the dazzling Hyshian sunlight. Four figures already seated in the tent winced and glanced away as the fifth one entered, swiftly shutting out the hateful glare behind him and restoring the soft gloom. Sir Jean de Majeure looked around him and smiled. "Good, the Brotherhood is already assembled. My apologies for dragging you out in the middle of the day, but you all appreciate the need for utmost secrecy."

The other four figures nodded quietly. They were diverse group: a hulking, dark skinned male vampire draped in wolf furs was seated next to a stunning female in silvery armour. Beside them sat a wild-looking creature with leathery wings folded behind his back. The last, resplendent in shining black plate armour seemed awkward and slightly in awe of the others.

Sir Jean turned first to the winged vampire. "So, Elohiim the Ineffable is still associating with mordants?" He made no attempt to hide the disgust in his voice.

"I'm afraid so Sir Jean," replied Khammron. "The Vengorian's mind is ravaged! I remain within his circle, but he prefers the company of the Raptured Court who worship him as a god. We need to bring him back into the Soulblight fold - before the Bloody Pilgrims do."

"Yes Khammron, our plan has not changed, but do not fret - the Pilgrims have their own problems just now. There were rumours of a battle?"

"Yes, the Hermit of Barfnweltz (who also flatters Elohiim with worship) implored him to come to the defence of Salas Nova when the Gravewakers began destroying the city." The elegant female vampire shifted in her seat and looked concerned.

"Don't worry Tes," grinned Khammron, "his self-styled angelic host were swiftly defeated by the Stormcast."

"Good," replied Tes, "I would hate to see my hard work go to waste. The Gravewalkers are not easy to manipulate, but once I ensured they saw Anya Sorrowkin's true nature, they behaved exactly as I predicted." She was unashamedly smug about her role in the downfall of Beauvoir's great project to turn Salas Nova, the newly-founded Sigmarite city, into a city enthralled to the Legion of Blood. Thanks to young Anya, the Bloody Pilgrims had infiltrated the Dawnbringers far more swiftly than any had anticipated, and the Brotherhood of Mannfred had needed to act fast to limit Beauvoir's power.

"My plan was a resounding success, as I assured you it would be." She turned haughtily to Sir Jean. "Now you need to bring the Crusaders back to Barfunweltz before the Gravewalkers have left us with nothing. If we are to reunite the factions, the Bloody Pilgrims need to feel the Crusaders have assisted them, and it is in all our interests to give Sigmar's lackeys a bloody nose."

Sir Jean nodded. "Yes my dear," - Tes cringed but he seemed to enjoy that - "I agree. The time has come. I will persuade the Pontifex that his next great crusade must be upon home turf."

The huge, fur-clad figure stirred. "Do not forget the Heisenbergs. The Hunt is putting pressure on them and the Countess has been gathering her own forces. She has even recruited a new retinue of freshly-turned Blood Knights. And the Vyrkos have their own spy among the Bloody Pilgrims, a fellow called Ehrmantraut: they are well aware of the situation in Salas Nova."

"The more the merrier Boritz!" declared Sir Jean, "Do you think you can persuade Countess Zkyla to send her knights to aid the crusade? Beauvoir did lend her the Rose Guard after all."

Boritz nodded stonily. "I can try."

Finally, Sir Jean turned to the silent Blood Knight in obsidian armour. "So Kastellan Trutz, are Khazi and the rest of The Brethren ready to march?"

"Yes my lord," she inclined her head nervously, then looked up, eyes aglow with zeal: "We are at your service, and the service of the Brotherhood of Mannfred! For Carstinia!"

Sir Jean chuckled. "You are Crusaders of the Rose now Kastellan! And don't expect any help from me if you give the Pontifex Surrexit cause to doubt that."

The Obsidian Brethren

Kastellan Trutz

A few hours later, in the half-light that passed for night in Hysh, Sir Jean watched the Crusaders of the Rose assemble. An uncharacteristically dishevelled-looking Lady Beauvoir had herself appeared to exhort the troops and, no doubt, prevent any further delays. He smirked. If only she knew that her own handmaiden Tes was the cause of all these troubles...

It would be good to pass through the realm gate, back to the sweet darkness of Shyish. Silently, he reminded himself that, to the Pontifex's knowledge, he had never been to Barfunweltz. But he had of course, many times, in secret. For that was where, when the time came, the Brotherhood's plan would come to fruition: Elohiim's true nature as the Primogenitor of the Cinquefoil would be revealed and, using the Vengorian as a figurehead, his agents would gather together all the foolish cults that called themselves the Servants of the Rose. Finally, Elohiim's original dynasty would be revealed and all Barfunweltz would be claimed for the Legion of Night!