‘And now they’re dead,’ said Borik. ‘I don’t intend to make the same mistake. You can all do what you like. Varlen hired me and my contract ended with his death. I’ve come this far on faith, but no further. This isn’t our fight, it isn’t worth our deaths, and if I can’t make anyone else see that then I’ll light a mourner’s beacon for you all when I’m next aboard an airship.’

‘The Swords of Sigmar will stay and aid you in your fight,’ said Aelyn, addressing the watchmen as though Borik hadn’t spoken. ‘But we will not fight blindly. I propose a scouting mission to discover our foes’ intentions.’

‘We should also try to link up with other defenders,’ said Thackeray, nodding. ‘We can’t fight back just the few of us, but I don’t believe that we’re the only ones left. There are other safe-houses, other arms caches. Perhaps we may still find Lieutenant Grange as the captain asked.’

‘I don’t believe I’m hearing this foolishness!’ exclaimed Borik. ‘If you–’

Aelyn spun, interrupting Borik with a raised finger. She marched past him to where the Swords’ remaining bags had been piled in a heap. A moment’s rummaging and she returned with a felt pouch, which she thumped down on the table before him with a heavy clink of coin.

‘You are leaving. You have made that sufficiently clear. Does anyone else consider their business in Draconium concluded?’

Romilla stared back at Aelyn fiercely, her answer clear. Eleanora looked to Romilla, then looked back and shook her head. Aelyn felt her determination waver as she saw a complex mix of emotions pass across Bartiman’s features. The wizard made her wait long enough that she thought perhaps they had lost him too, but then he sighed.

‘Hendrick… Olt… no, this has gone far enough. It’s personal, and I’ll not leave their shades to roam unavenged.’ He coughed wetly into his handkerchief, which by now was stained a ruddy brown. He huffed ruefully. ‘Besides, I’ve breathed in too much of this city’s muck, I suspect. My soul is long overdue in the Land of Endings. Perhaps it’s time to come to terms with that at last. I’d rather die doing something meaningful than waste away knowing my last true choice was to abandon the few friends I have. Borik, for the gods’ sakes stay, will you?’

The duardin’s face had set into an impassive mask when Aelyn thumped the coins down in front of him. She knew that he was the most truly mercenary amongst their number, that his code compelled him to act in that fashion and that to a duardin such matters were of gravest import. Still, she dared to hope for a moment that Bartiman’s words might have swayed him.