#133 Battle XL - The Arrogance of Soulblights

The King of Thorns grinned his rictus smile as he disappeared into the ash cloud clutching the glowing lump of emberstone. He would harness its burning power to summon some of his knightly retainers from their barrows back in Syhish.

Lord Tzunaak may not approve, but the King of Thorns was unconcerned. He knew what the Soulblight was up to: always scheming and plotting and as hungry for power as they are from blood. The blood knights had fallen over themselves charging headlong into the skaven gunline. They had killed many ratmen but their charges were badly co-ordinated and chaotic, the vampires unable to control their blood lust. This so-called 'crusade' needed a better leader. A more disciplined general, less visceral and impulsive. Cold, calculated, heartless, bloodless. It was ever thus - the Soulblights believed themselves the lords of the graves, and the deathrattle merely overseers and subalterns. It seemed they had forgotten who he was - not just some ancient 'King of Thorns', but a soul-shard of the Cinquefoil, the fifth of Gulaab Kaphool who alone had always been a loyal servant of - and most favoured by - Nagash Himself!

But the King of Thorns was patient. He would gather his own knights to join this crusade and fight silently alongside the vampires. He would allow Tzunaak to consider himself the master, and no doubt they would gain more victories. But if Tzunaak should fall, the King of thorns would be ready step forward. 

The Wight King of Thorns

I had a very close-fought, rather long Ravaged Coast game with Max's skaven last week and didn't have a chance to write it up quickly enough for a decent battle report - so this will have to do. Suffice to say I lost, but it was close and I gained 3 emberstone which I spent on a unit of barrow knights to accompany the King of Thorns.