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At last, the crisis with the elves had come to an end. The witch hunters found the bodies in the tunnels and delivered them at once to the leader of Elftown. To my surprise, the elves were receptive: they demanded the culprits be found, never imagining they were already long dead, buried and ground to dust beneath bubbling iron. Four days after my slaughter in the bowels of Marienburg, it could be said the plague was under control—at least for a few months. All the females had perished, and the thousands of Skaven infesting the tunnels were now ashes.
With that resolved, the damned elves would leave me in peace for a while. And I needed it: my schedule was heavy with meetings with ambassadors. Marienburg had regained its position as a great city. The arrival of tens of thousands of workers had restored life to the port, and trade roared once more with its old strength. Merchants from half the world sought to bargain with me, cutting costs and securing profits. Some agreed to commitments such as avoiding foreign labor and hiring only locals, strengthening the economy. These agreements suited me well: certain merchants commanded dozens of barges moving in and out of the port daily, creating steady work for dockers and craftsmen. And as the city prospered, I collected more taxes. I saw no downside—more jobs, more satisfied workers, and higher wages, which I had personally negotiated to win the favor of the common folk.
Other envoys pressed for fixed tolls to cross the Reik, trying to evade fees based on ship size and cargo. But I was not fooled: what they truly sought was to dodge imperial tariffs on luxury goods. I rejected them at once. To accept would have painted a target on my back, and the Emperor would not forgive such a move.
It was then that I met with the ambassador of Barak Varr.
"So then, friends of the Empire, allow me to welcome you with open arms to my city. Tell me, how may I be of service to our allies?" I said with a calculated smile, signaling a servant to bring forth a brimming jug of Bugman's.
"Oh…" murmured the dawi, sniffing the air. "I see you are a connoisseur of the finest brew in the world."
"Of course. Who would ignore that the greatest beer ever made comes from dawi hands?" I replied without hesitation, smile unwavering.
The ambassador raised the jug and drained it in a single pull, with the practiced skill of his kind. He slammed the table with a fist and let out a satisfied grunt. "Ah! Perfect. Just as I remembered."
"I'm glad to hear it. I've heard King Byrrnoth Grundadrakk wished to establish a treaty," I said, leaning forward with interest.
"Indeed, noble imperial. Your deeds in support of High King Thorgrim Grudgebearer have reached our people's ears. With the umgi of Marienburg there was always doubt about continuing trade, but you have proven to be a man of trust. Our king believes you can be treated as a true ally. It is his majesty's wish to establish a commercial treaty bringing benefit to both sides."
"I would be more than delighted to welcome dawi ships in my ports, ambassador. Tell me, what are your king's conditions? I shall see if they are feasible within the authority granted me by the Emperor, chosen of Sigmar," I answered with measured courtesy.
The dwarf clasped his hands on the table, regarding me with the gravity of one who wastes no words.
"My king asks you, noble imperial, that in both Marienburg and Barak Varr no mooring tax be levied. In addition, he requests exemption from duties on the cargo of our vessels, given its obvious utility." He gestured toward the window, where the setting sun lit a dawi ironclad moored at the docks. "It is plain," he added with pride, showing the vessel's immensity.
I rose and walked to the window. There it was, a marvel of Dwarf engineering, a steel behemoth capable of carrying tons of goods. Its chimneys spewed steady columns of smoke, and the entire port seemed dwarfed by its presence.
"Indeed… we can negotiate that," I said, turning back. "Would you accept a bilateral treaty? I cannot alter the special duties set by imperial law on certain luxury goods, but the general tax I can set at zero—provided you do the same for our ships."
The ambassador nodded slowly, satisfied. "Excellent… only one more matter: how shall we know a ship is truly yours, and not some dishonorable umgi—or worse, an elgi merchant in disguise, seeking to sneak into Barak Varr's ports?"
I smiled calmly, inclining my head. "I will issue trade licenses in the city. Only merchants of trust, or those working under my patronage, will trade under my blessing. I will send complete records to Barak Varr, so you know exactly who is ally and who is impostor. You may do the same—though of course, a dawi merchant will always enjoy a far higher standard of trust than any other."
"Wise words," the ambassador replied, raising his jug in approval. "We are grateful for such trust, noble imperial. Only one more detail remains that our king wishes to request."
"Speak," I said, in a friendly tone.
"As for the construction of a port to work and repair our ships. Special machinery is required, which we would not normally move from our own shipyards. However, in light of your reputation, our king deems it prudent to grant us a port district in Marienburg for such facilities. And alongside them, a residential quarter for the engineers and dawi who will remain here to maintain the vessels."
I stood thoughtful for a moment, letting my eyes drift over the maps and plans spread on the table.
"That is feasible," I replied at last. "I have an area that may interest you. Some buildings there are set to be demolished, and we discovered empty caverns beneath that zone. You could use them to raise your workshops and lodgings—quietly, without having to live alongside the… elgi… who dwell in the city."
The ambassador bared his teeth in a broad smile. "That would be excellent. Allow us to inspect these caverns to confirm they are suitable."
"Of course. Give me a moment," I replied, raising my hand for more ale to be served. At the same time, I dispatched a group of workers to demolish one of the nearby houses, linking it with the tunnels I had uncovered during my last incursion. I made sure to seal off all connections with the sewers—I would not insult my guests by offering them cloacae disguised as usable ground.
Once we had opened the way, I led the ambassador and his retinue to the entrance. The dawi immediately began to inspect everything with a critical eye, examining the walls, the floors—until finally the ambassador caught my attention as we continued walking.
"Noble imperial, these caverns are the work of the thagoraki," the dwarf ambassador said, drawing me aside from my men to speak privately.
"I know… and you may rest assured, honorable ambassador. They are all dead, every last one. I saw to it personally. These tunnels have been cleansed of that filth. But I ask for your silence in this matter. The umgi do not know what the thagoraki are, and if the truth were to spread, the panic would be immense."
The dawi held my gaze with grave weight. "I understand… but are you certain? The thagoraki are a formidable foe."
"You have my word," I answered firmly. "None remain. Their bodies have been destroyed. You will find only empty tunnels and their symbols upon the walls. If you choose to settle here, you will have all my support to populate and fortify the area. Any dawi who take residence will have my resources and protection to ensure no raki ever infest these lands again."
The ambassador nodded slowly. "I will take this into consideration. I shall inform my king of your proposal."
We continued through the passages, lit only by the torches carried by my men. The tunnels were long and winding, their damp walls still bearing the marks of the raki. The dawi inspected everything tirelessly: they touched the stone, murmured among themselves in their tongue, took notes, and examined every sign with expert eyes. My own soldiers looked uneasy, restless beneath the weight of what those galleries had once hidden.
After hours of inspection, we reached the deepest part. The symbols left no doubt that this had been Skaven territory—but they also confirmed that the plague had been eradicated. At last we returned to the surface. The ambassador shook my hand with solemnity and assured me he would present the treaty to his king. He was satisfied with what he had seen, though I made clear that if they preferred, they could also settle in the commercial districts above. Of course, there they would have to share space with the elgi already trading in the port.
The dawi left content, carrying with him the draft of the agreement still to be ratified. Having a Dwarf shipyard in Marienburg would be an invaluable improvement. And if I gained enough respect, perhaps one day I could even purchase one of their ships—though no doubt under conditions as strict as those they impose for their crew-trains, which never sail under a foreign banner without the clan's blessing.
The visit of Barak Varr's ambassador ended, but I had no time to rest. Next arrived the envoy from Kislev, more insistent than ever to see me. The Kislevites wished to increase their purchases of salt, firearms, and munitions, while offering to sell more animal hides. This time they were not seeking to dump them cheaply as before, but to negotiate a fair price, aligned with the market.
It was a difficult offer to refuse. My armies always needed good boots and leather coats to endure long marches. And securing a steady agreement with Kislev meant constant flows of raw materials essential to any campaign.
Once the bulk of the administrative work I had been putting off for days was resolved, the time came to prepare for my journey to Altdorf. In my possession I held an invitation from the Grand Theogonist to attend a victory ceremony, and I could delay no longer. My relationship with the Cult had to remain strong: in the Empire, one misstep on that front could mean losing support—or worse, the political machine turning against me. Yet I could not appear as a lapdog. If I gave any image of weakness, they might well demand control of one of my cities under a new prelate.
When all was ready, I boarded my train, accompanied by my griffon—by now transformed into an imposing beast of admirable stature and ferocity, thanks to the diet I had personally secured for him. The animal inspired respect and fear in equal measure, and his very presence reminded all that I did not travel unprotected.
Passing through Reinsfeld, I made a brief stop to collect some furniture commissioned from the dawi craftsmen of the city. I planned to remain in Altdorf for some time, and preferred certain comforts during my stay. Awaiting me there were several matters of weight: first, discussions with the Cult concerning the ceremony; then, a meeting with the Elector Count of Wissenland about the railway project; and finally, an audience with the Emperor himself.
My primary goal was to secure his intercession in negotiating the purchase of the lands of Black Fire Pass. The idea of fortifying that passage had long haunted me: sooner or later it would become the stage of some great tragedy if left unguarded. Yet I knew it would not be easy. I was speaking of acquiring lands held by another Elector Count—and in Imperial politics, nothing stirred more resentment and conflict than altering the boundaries of a noble's influence.
Still, bribes were always an option—though not large ones. I could not squander everything.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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