#127 - Emissary of Sternieste

The rain lashed down in the moonlight, shifting and swirling in the howling wind. Five figures had taken shelter in the lee of a mighty monolith, long since abandoned by the Children of Chaos. They felt no discomfort on account of the weather for the dead do not feel such things, but the once-mortal vampires still occasionally exhibited subconsciously human behaviour.

The tallest of the five, his head cowled by a lupine pelt, stood more exposed, glaring out into the darkness. "My wolves have the scent of an undead steed."

A female vampire, resplendent and beautiful in silver armour smirked. "Oh! They're your wolves now, are they Bortirz?" Tes's tone was mocking, and there was a distrustful glint in her eye.

"He will come soon," said another armoured Soulblight, this one in red armour, leaning despondently against the rock, "and I will face the consequences of my actions."

Tes rolled her eyes at Sir Jean de Majeure's arrogant presumption. The whole Brotherhood had failed in their mission, but if he wanted to take responsibility, she would let him. Yet she acknowledged a certain nobility in his acceptance, albeit a foolish nobility.

Lightening flashed, thunder bellowed and suddenly on the ridge before them stood a horse and rider. Both glowed with undeathly light as the horse reared up, the rider brandishing an brutal axe, wet hair whipping around his head in the gale.

The Brotherhood of Manfredd scrambled to their feet to receive their visitor.

Lord Tzunaak, Emissary of Sterniete

"I am Lord Tzunaak, Emissary of Sterniete, sent by Manfredd Von Carstein himself." The newcomer was such an imposing figure that even the vampires of the Brotherhood found themselves intimidated. In the blink of an eye he descended his nightmare steed and stood among them. "Be seated."

For a  hundred mortal heartbeats he simply stared at each of them in silence, one by one, as if reading each blighted soul. Then he spoke.

"The Brotherhood of Manfredd - you - have failed your Master. You were instructed to discover, control and reunite the Cinquefoil of Barfunweltz. This is now impossible. You were instructed to restore the Vengorian Elohiim to loyal service of the Legion of Night. Do you even know where he is?"

Khamronn shifted uneasily, allowing his wings to obscure his face from Lord Tzunaak. "No, my lord," he mumbled.

"Four of the soul shards are lost to us, forever bound in loyalty to Nagash - whether by choice, or weakness or delusion. Only the Pontifex remains an independent spirit, one we might control." Tzunaak turned suddenly: "Do we control him, Sir Jean?"

"He has grown strong my Lord, and his mind is --"

"Do we control him, Sir Jean?" Tzunaak's raised voice was terrifying.

"No, my lord."

"Kastellan Trutz, you too have campaigned with the Pontifex. Why do you think the Pontifex has grown so powerful?"

The black armoured knight looked surprised to be addressed. "I... I believe it is perhaps on account of the influence of... of Lady Beauvoir and her coven... my Lord?" she stuttered.

"Hmm. The Legions of Blood and of Night at loggerheads once again." Lord Tzunaak seemed pleased by the notion, as if things were as they should be.

"You will continue with your missions, all of you. Khamronn will keep tracking the Vengorian. Tes and Boritz will stay under cover with the Pilgrims and Heisenbergs respectively. Trutz and de Majeure you will remain with the Pontifex Surrexit's army, where I will join you. For the Brotherhood is now under my command." He started again at Sir Jean. "Appropriate punishment shall be delivered in due course, as I see fit. You are dismissed."